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Biotope crest as part of the coral's reef is an important natural resource and ecological value. In this research we evaluated the health of the reef crest of playa Baracoa and Rincón de Guanabo. We surveyed on six stations located in each reef between June 2015 and April 2016. We selected as ecological indicators: density and spa- tial size variation of A. palmata's colonies, D. antillarum density and substrate coverage. These indicators were estimated by linear transept and band transept, a modification of the linear transept. A. palmata colonies density was 7.3 ± 0.6 colonies/10 m2 in playa Baracoa and 22.9 ± 1.6 colonies/10 m2 in Rincón de Guanabo. Mean values of reef's diameter and height in playa Baracoa were lower (29.7 ± 1.3 cm and 9.6 ± 0.6 cm) than in Rincón de Guanabo (44.3 ± 2.3 cm and 17.4 ± 1.1 cm). D. antillarum density was 14.0 ± 1.3 individuals/10 m2 in playa Baracoa and 0.1 ± 0.0 individuals/10 m2 in Rincón de Guanabo. Substrate coverage of living coral and rock was higher in Rincón de Guanabo (28% and 49% respectively) and substrate coverage by algae was greater in playa Baracoa (45%). An integrated analysis of the ecological indicators evaluated, suggests that both reef crests can be considered in relatively good condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotope crest as part of the coral´s reef is an important natural resource and ecological value. In this research we evaluated the health of the reef crest of playa Baracoa and Rincón de Guanabo. We surveyed on six stations located in each reef between June 2015 and April 2016. We selected as ecological indicators: density and spa- tial size variation of A. palmata's colonies, D. antillarum density and substrate coverage. These indicators were estimated by linear transept and band transept, a modification of the linear transept. A. palmata colonies density was 7.3 ± 0.6 colonies/10 m2 in playa Baracoa and 22.9 ± 1.6 colonies/10 m2 in Rincón de Guanabo. Mean values of reef´s diameter and height in playa Baracoa were lower (29.7 ± 1.3 cm and 9.6 ± 0.6 cm) than in Rincón de Guanabo (44.3 ± 2.3 cm and 17.4 ± 1.1 cm). D. antillarum density was 14.0 ± 1.3 individuals/10 m2 in playa Baracoa and 0.1 ± 0.0 individuals/10 m2 in Rincón de Guanabo. Substrate coverage of living coral and rock was higher in Rincón de Guanabo (28% and 49% respectively) and substrate coverage by algae was greater in playa Baracoa (45%). An integrated analysis of the ecological indicators evaluated, suggests that both reef crests can be considered in relatively good condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]