The Veracruz Reef System (VRS) is located in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. It is comprised of 28 coral reefs in various stages of development and conservation. They are protected under the Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park created in 1992. There are many threats to the reefs of the VRS, including the Port and city of Veracruz, which hosts half a million inhabitants and Mexico’s oldest active port. The inhabitants of Veracruz have used reef resources for thousands of years, as evidenced in archaeological sites on Sacrificios island, and constructions throughout the city, most notably in the San Juan de Ulúa Fort which was built entirely of coral skeletons. Despite the usage and protection given under the National Park, there is relatively little known about the health and condition of the stony corals in the System. There has only been one large scale study of 21 reefs conducted in the VRS in the late 1980’s. Since then, the National Park was created and 28 reefs are now recognized. This study performed point-intercept transects on 24 of these reefs including five reefs added to the official list in 2012. Point-intercept transects were surveyed at 63 sites between 2007 and 2014. Percent cover was calculated for seven functional groups. Additionally, demographic data of a subset of individual stony coral colonies were assessed on each transect. The functional group with the greatest cover in the VRS was crustose coralline algae (mean ± S.E.: 28.9% ± 1.97), stony corals had the second highest cover (21.5% ± 1.24). The Jamapa river divides the VRS into two groups the Veracruz group to the North and the Anton Lizardo group to the south of the river mouth. The Veracruz group had lower crustose coralline algae cover (28.1% ± 2.71) and coral cover (17.8% ± 1.55) than the Anton Lizardo group (29.6% ± 2.87 CCA and 25.3% ± 1.86 coral cover). The highest average coral cover on a reef was recorded at Ahogado Chico (45.5% ± 5.58), and the highest cover recorded on a single transect was 70% at Santiaguillo reef. The lowest coral cover was recorded at the fringing reefs on the north of the VRS, Punta Gorda and Punta Brava which had less than 1% coral cover. Coral colonies averaged 69.1 cm ± 3.10 in length at the VRS, 56.8 cm ± 2.98 in the Veracruz group and 81.7 cm ± 5.11 in the Antón Lizardo group. Old partial mortality was 25% ± 1.05 overall and similar between groups, recent partial mortality was 1.2% ± 0.21 and 1% at both groups. Disease prevalence was 3.9% for the VRS, 2.9% ± 0.88 in the Veracruz group and 4.9% ± 1.11 in the Antón Lizardo group. Overall, these reefs are faring slightly better than other reefs in the Caribbean having higher coral cover and larger colonies. However, the great variability in the health and condition of these reefs demands added attention and clear management goals to ensure their persistence in the face of ever growing threats. It is important to decrease the sources of stress, such as construction and poor waste water management in the area, better regulate fishing and approach a watershed wide management plan which takes into account upstream effects from the rivers that discharge into the Veracruz Reef System.

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<p>The thesis analyses relationships between ecological and social systems in the context of coastal ecosystems. It examines human impacts from resource extraction and addresses management and governance behind resource exploitation. The main premises are that a lack of ecological knowledge leads to poor ecosystem management and that the dichotomy between social and natural systems is an artificial one. The thesis illustrates the importance of basing resource management on the ecological conditions of the resource and its ecosystem. It also demonstrates the necessity of accounting for the human dimension in ecosystem management and the challenges of organising human actions for sustainable use of ecosystem services in the face of economic incentives that push users towards short-term extraction.</p><p>Many Caribbean coral reefs have undergone a shift from coral to macroalgal domination. An experiment on Glovers Reef Atoll in Belize manually cleared patch reefs in a no-take zone and a fished zone (Papers I and II). The study hypothesised that overfishing has reduced herbivorous fish populations that control macroalgae growth. Overall, management had no significant effect on fish abundance and the impacts of the algal reduction were short-lived. This illustrated that the benefits of setting aside marine reserves in impacted environments should not be taken for granted. </p><p>Papers III and IV studied the development of the lobster and conch fisheries in Belize, and the shrimp farming industry in Thailand respectively. These studies found that environmental feedback can be masked to give the impression of resource abundance through sequential exploitation. In both cases inadequate property rights contributed to this unsustainable resource use. </p><p>The final paper (V) compared the responses to changes in the resource by the lobster fisheries in Belize and Maine in terms of institutions, organisations and their role in management. In contrast to Maine’s, the Belize system seems to lack social mechanisms for responding effectively to environmental feedback. The results illustrate the importance of organisational and institutional diversity that incorporate ecological knowledge, respond to ecosystem feedback and provide a social context for learning from and adapting to change.</p>

Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-09-11T18:18:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 diss-Raphael-Logato-de-Oliveira-PPGA.pdf: 25249109 bytes, checksum: bebdeef5c344d7c319f3fd7481af2cce (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-11T18:18:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 diss-Raphael-Logato-de-Oliveira-PPGA.pdf: 25249109 bytes, checksum: bebdeef5c344d7c319f3fd7481af2cce (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica, Niterói, RJ / A taxa de crescimento de uma colônia do coral endêmico brasileiro Siderastrea stellata, proveniente da Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas (3° 45’ S / 33° 40’ O – 3° 55’ S / 33° 50’ O), baseada em conta gem de bandas de crescimento e datação absoluta pelo método U-Th, seguidas de analises geoquímicas e isotópicas, revelaram uma variablidade das Temperaturas de Superfície do Mar (TSM) durante os últimos 39 anos. Os resultados demonstram uma forte correlação entre o crescimento do coral e a razão Sr/Ca, como também entre o Sr/Ca e U/Ca. O crescimento, Sr/Ca e U/Ca indicaram um forte sinal com frequência decadal, que é correspondente a um dos principais regimes de variabilidade do Atlântico Tropical Sul. Além disto, pode ser dito que o sinal do δ18O apresentou uma boa coerência com a ZCIT, indicando um potencial para futuros estudos sobre flutuações de salinidade. Porém, a falta de correlação entre os parametros geoquimicos com a TSM pode ser atribuída à limitação dos registros instrumentais de TSM disponíveis para a área de estudo (PIRATA), que são provenientes de bóias oceanográficas espaçadamente distribuídas. Assim, este estudo destaca alguns importantes fatores: a necessidade de se obter os registros de TSM in situ, para que seja possível estabelecer boas correlações entre esta e os traçadores; a clara relação entre o crescimento e Sr/Ca, sugerindo que este traçador pode não ser regulado somente pela TSM no caso de S. stellata; e a predominância de influências de variabilidades decadais e semi-decadais para esta região / One colony growth rate of an endemic Brazilian coral Sideratrea stellata from Atol das Rocas Biological reserve (3° 45’ S / 33° 4 0’ O – 3° 55’ S / 33° 50’ O), based on growth band counting and U-Th dating method, followed by geochemical analysis, revealed Sea Surface Temperature (SST) variability for the last 39 years. Results show a strong correlation between coral growth and Sr/Ca ratio, and also strong correlation between Sr/Ca and U/Ca. Growth, Sr/Ca and U/Ca indicate strong signal at decadal frequencies, corresponding to one of major South Tropical Atlantic variability. Moreover, it can be said that δ18O signal has showed good coherence with respect to ITCZ, pointing out to potential future studies about salinity fluctuations. However, the lack of correlation between SST and geochemical tracers can be attributed to instrumental SST data restriction for the study site, which comes from sparsely distributed oceanographic buyos (PIRATA). Insofar, this study highlights some important factors: the need for in situ SST registry in order to establish good correlations for SST and geochemical data; the clear relationship between coral growth and Sr/Ca, suggesting that this ratio may not be regulated by SST only for S. stellata; and the predominance decadal and semi-decadal variabilities at this region.

Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-10-03T17:34:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Bruno Allevato M. da SIlva.pdf: 2506067 bytes, checksum: a7fd88a86552d0a0f031f1eb05a0b288 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-03T17:34:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Bruno Allevato M. da SIlva.pdf: 2506067 bytes, checksum: a7fd88a86552d0a0f031f1eb05a0b288 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica, Niterói, RJ / A baía de Tamandaré, PE, Brasil, é um ambiente recifal que apresenta uma condição ambiental de baixa cobertura de corais. Entre as possíveis causas para esta situação, estão a alta pressão que o turismo exerce na cidade de Tamandaré e a entrada de águas continentais, com grande volume de sedimento e contaminada com resíduos agrícolas e domésticos. Estes fatores apresentam uma variação sazonal, de forma que o primeiro se intensifica no período seco (setembro a fevereiro) enquanto o segundo atua mais forte sobre a baía no perído chuvoso (março a agosto). Entretanto, mesmo com estas pressões antrópicas na baía de Tamandaré, suas águas são classificadas como oligotróficas. Objetivando de avaliar o sedimento recifal da baía de Tamandaré, foram estudados composição e tafonomia dos foraminíferos bentônicos presentes no sedimento de nove amostras do período seco e chuvoso. Os resultados apontaram para uma assembléia de foraminíferos sem características de ambientes recifais, com um Índice FORAM abaixo de 4 em todas as estação, com somente uma exceção no período seco, que classificaram a baía como tendo qualidade de água desfavorável para assentamento de corais. Sazonalmente, há uma diferença entre as assembleias dos períodos seco e chuvoso refletida no número total de gêneros encontrados nos dois períodos, sendo maior no período seco que no chuvoso. Entretanto, em análises estatísticas como SHE e CLUSTER, não foram detectadas variações sazonais, sobre tudo nas estações mais profundas. Entre as razões para a baixa variação das assembleias de foraminíferos nos dois períods, a pouca variação da salinidade e temperatura, influênciadas pelo baixo volume de chuva nos meses da coleta, podem ter sido o principal motivo. Foraminíferos com processos tafonomicos como quebrado ou alteração de cor, representaram 40% a 20% do total de testas analisadas, indicando a ocorrência de ressuspenção do sedimento. Três testas com alteração tafonomica da cor e um quarta sem mudança na cor foram analisadas em MEV/EDS e mostrara a ausência ou pouca distribuição de elementos como Fe e S diferente do que seria esperado e a presença de elementos comuns de argilo minerais. De forma geral, os resultados associaram a baía de Tamandaré como ambiente não usal para assentamento de corais, com assembleias de foraminíferos similares entre os períodos analisados, e tendo como principais fatores físico-químicos que influenciam na composição da assembleia a temperatura, salinidade e ressuspenção / Tamandaré bay, PE, Brazil, it’s a reef environment which shows a low coral coverage. Among the possible causes for this situation are the, high pressures which tourism exert in Tamandaré city and the flow of continental waters, with high volume of sediment and contaminated with agricultural and domestic waste. These factors shows seasonal variation, where the first intensify during the dry season (September to February) whereas the second it’s strongest in the bay during the wet season (March to August). However, even with these anthropic pressures in the Tamandaré bay, those waters are classified as oligotrophic. Aiming evaluated the reef sediment of Tamandaré bay, were studied composition and taphonomy of benthic foraminifera present in the sediment of nine samples of dry and wet season. The results point out a foraminiferal assemblage without characteristics of reef environment, where FORAM Index was below 4 in all stations, with just one exception in the dry season, classifying the bay as have water quality unfavorable for coral attach. Seasonality, there’s just one difference between the assemblage of dry and wet seasons reflected in the total number of generous found in the two seasons, where was bigger during the dry season when compared whit dry season. Otherwise, statistical analyses like SHE and CLUSTER, didn’t detected variations between seasons, manly in the deepest stations. Among the reason for the similar foraminifera assemblage between the two seasons, the few variation of salinity and temperature, influenced by the low rain during the month of collection, seems to be the main reason. Taphonomic processes in foraminifera like broke or color change, represented 40% to 20% of the total test analyzed, suggesting sediment ressuspection. Three tests with color change and one fourth without, were analyzed in MED/EDS and shows the absence or few distribution of elements like Fe and S different of what would be expected and the presence of ordinary elements in clay minerals. All in all, the results associated Tamandaré bay as a environment unusual for coral attach, with a similarity foraminifera assemblages between the season analyzed, and had been as main physic-chemistry factors influence in assemblage composition, the temperature, salinity and ressuspection

The thesis analyses relationships between ecological and social systems in the context of coastal ecosystems. It examines human impacts from resource extraction and addresses management and governance behind resource exploitation. The main premises are that a lack of ecological knowledge leads to poor ecosystem management and that the dichotomy between social and natural systems is an artificial one. The thesis illustrates the importance of basing resource management on the ecological conditions of the resource and its ecosystem. It also demonstrates the necessity of accounting for the human dimension in ecosystem management and the challenges of organising human actions for sustainable use of ecosystem services in the face of economic incentives that push users towards short-term extraction. Many Caribbean coral reefs have undergone a shift from coral to macroalgal domination. An experiment on Glovers Reef Atoll in Belize manually cleared patch reefs in a no-take zone and a fished zone (Papers I and II). The study hypothesised that overfishing has reduced herbivorous fish populations that control macroalgae growth. Overall, management had no significant effect on fish abundance and the impacts of the algal reduction were short-lived. This illustrated that the benefits of setting aside marine reserves in impacted environments should not be taken for granted. Papers III and IV studied the development of the lobster and conch fisheries in Belize, and the shrimp farming industry in Thailand respectively. These studies found that environmental feedback can be masked to give the impression of resource abundance through sequential exploitation. In both cases inadequate property rights contributed to this unsustainable resource use. The final paper (V) compared the responses to changes in the resource by the lobster fisheries in Belize and Maine in terms of institutions, organisations and their role in management. In contrast to Maine’s, the Belize system seems to lack social mechanisms for responding effectively to environmental feedback. The results illustrate the importance of organisational and institutional diversity that incorporate ecological knowledge, respond to ecosystem feedback and provide a social context for learning from and adapting to change.

Parrotfish are a critical component of the herbivore functional group on tropical coral reefs around the world because they mediate competition that occurs between algae and scleractinian corals. Also, because of their feeding technique, which consists of rasping at the substratum with their beak-like teeth, they play an important role in carbonate turnover and the clearing of reef surface area for the settlement of new sessile organisms. Because of these roles, parrotfishes are an important structuring component of coral reef communities. However, individual species can play different roles depending on their physiology, behaviour and ecology. Despite the possible ecological differences that may exist amongst species, specific roles of the fishes remain unclear as the group is most often studied at higher community levels. This thesis applied stable isotope analysis to differing levels of organisation within a parrotfish community to help elucidate their trophic ecology on coral reefs in Zanzibar. Firstly, blood and muscle tissues were compared to identify differences in their isotope signatures. In other organisms, blood turns over faster than muscle tissue so that muscle tissue represents the diet as integrated over a longer period of time. In most species of parrotfish the blood and muscle δ¹³C signatures were not found to be significantly different, but the δ¹⁵N signatures were significantly different between tissues. This indicated that the δ¹³C signature of both tissues would reveal similar dietary information. Conversely, differences in the δ¹⁵N signature indicated that the nitrogen relationship between tissues was more complicated. Secondly, spatial variability in parrotfish, coral, detritus and macroalgae isotope signatures was assessed at different scales. In macroalgae and coral tissues (zooxanthellae and polyp treated separately), the δ¹³C signatures were shown to differ with depth, presumably because of changes in photosynthetic processes related to depth-associated changes in light. While δ¹⁵N signatures were not affected by depth, all organisms showed enrichment at the Nyange reef, the closest reef to the capital of Zanzibar, Stone Town, presumably reflecting the effects of sewage outfall. These results show that processes that impact the δ¹⁵N signatures of primary producers (macroalgae and zooxanthellae) can be traced to higher trophic levels (coral polyps and fish). Lastly, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures were used to identify ontogenetic dietary changes in multiple species of parrotfish. Four of the species showed stages that varied from the diets that are normally assumed on the basis of their dentition and feeding technique. This indicates that functional roles based on taxonomy or morphology may fail to include possible ontogenetic dietary changes, and may also fail to elucidate the full impact a species could have on coral reef communities. The conclusions from these studies indicate that the species-specific ecological role of parrotfish in coral reef communities can be complex within and between species, and may differ amongst reefs. In light of the natural and anthropogenic pressures that affect coral reef systems, management decisions based on a more complete understanding of the role of these fish in coral reef communities will help decisions that maintain resilience in these fragile systems.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-07T14:49:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1971654 bytes, checksum: ef95313e4fdd4ef38d4603a35f58473b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This paper is the formulation of a Proposed Zoning and Load Capacity Recreation to the Parque Estadual Marinho de Areia Vermelha that currently is very touristy. The amendment was based on the class Anthozoa diversity. To the recognition of the animals s diversity, the area was divided into 3 quadrants and 5 transects of 100 m, in each one were drawn. All individuals found in 50cm to the right and 50 cm to the left of the transect line were analyzed. This gave a basis for knowing the most diverse area of the park and served as a subsidy for the proposal of environmental zoning. To prepare the zoning map, the image was captured from Google Earth and used the modules SPRING, IMPIMA and SCARTA version 5.0.5. The captured images from Google Earth were saved in TIF format and were inserted in the module IMPIMA, which was used to save images in the native format SPRING. Some factors were taken into consideration as sites already used for tourism, biodiversity hotspots, areas of influence, diving sites, actions of waves,currents and fishing. Based on these features and taking into account some of the activities already undertaken in the park, the environmental zoning was created. From this zoning was proposed carrying capacity for recreational areas where tourism activities were allowed. For the load capacity was used the methodology of Cifuentes (1992) adapted to the conditions of the marine environment. For the two proposals, was also taken into account, the point of views of the professionals working with craft and environmental awareness of tourists visiting the area. As results we observed that the scleractinea corals present in the area were: Favia gravida, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea stellata and as Gorgoniacea coral species we had Muriceopsis sulphurea. Among zoanthids the species Palythoa caribaeorum, Protopalythoa variabilis and Zoanthus sociatus were found. The most rich in biodiversity was quadrant 2. The areas suggested in this proposed zoning were: Touristic Recreational Use Zone, Special Use Zone, Preservation of Marine Life Zone, Traditional Use Zone, Traditional and Recreational Use Zone and Cushioning Zone. The load capacity was designed for the use of the areas of Touristic Recreationl areas, which resulted in 400 visits per day, to the Special-Use area which can have 281 visits per day and the Traditional and Recreational Use Zone, with 544 visits per day, totalizing 1225 people daily around the park. With the questionnaires applied to tourists and professionals working on the boats, was detected that the application of environmental education is of paramount importance. / Esta dissertação consiste na formulação de uma Proposta de Zoneamento e de Capacidade de Carga Recreativa para o Parque Estadual Marinho de Areia Vermelha, que atualmente é muito explorada turisticamente. A proposta aqui apresentada foi feita com base na diversidade de espécies da classe Anthozoa. Para reconhecimento da diversidade de animais a área foi dividida em 3 quadrantes e foram traçados 5 transectos de 100m em cada um, em que foram anotados todos os indivíduos encontrados 50cm à direita e 50 cm a esquerda da linha do transecto. Isso deu base para se saber a área mais diversa do parque e serviu de subsídio para a proposta de zoneamento ambiental. Para a confecção do mapa do Zoneamento, foi capturada a imagem do Google Earth e utilizados os módulos SPRING, IMPIMA e SCARTA versão 5.0.5. As imagens capturadas no Google Earth foram salvas em formato TIF e inseridas no módulo IMPIMA, que foi utilizado para salvar as imagens em formato nativo do SPRING. Alguns fatores foram levados em consideração como locais já utilizados para o turismo, focos de biodiversidade, áreas de influência, locais para mergulho, ações das ondas e correntes e pesca artesanal. Com base nessas características e levando em conta algumas atividades já desenvolvidas no Parque o zoneamento ambiental foi criado. A partir deste zoneamento foi proposta a capacidade de carga recreativa para as zonas onde as atividades turísticas foram permitidas. Para a capacidade de carga foi utilizada a metodologia de Cifuentes (1992) adaptada para as condições do ambiente marinho. Para as duas propostas, foi levado em consideração também a opinião dos profissionais que trabalham com embarcações e a percepção ambiental dos turistas que visitam a área. Como resultados, verificamos que as espécies de corais escleractíneos presentes foram: Favia gravida, Porites astreoides e Siderastrea stellata e espécies de corais gorgonaceos tivemos Muriceopsis sulphurea. Entre os zoantídeos foram encontradas as espécies de Palythoa caribaeorum, Protopalythoa variabilis e Zoanthus sociatus. O quadrante mais diversificado foi o quadrante 2. As zonas sugeridas na proposta de zoneamento foram: Zona de Uso Turístico Recreativo, Zona de Uso Especial, Zona de Preservação da Vida Marinha, Zona de Uso Tradicional, Zona de Uso Tradicional e Recreativo e Zona de Amortecimento. A capacidade de carga foi elaborada para as áreas de Uso Turístico Recreativo, que resultou em 400 visitas por dia, Zona de Uso Especial, podendo ter 281 visitas por dia e a Zona de Uso Tradicional e Recreativo, com 544 visitas por dia, totalizando 1225 pessoas diárias em todo o parque. Com os questionários aplicados aos turistas e aos profissionais que atuam nos barcos foi detectado que um trabalho de educação ambiental é de fundamental importância.

Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T19:46:17Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - André Felipe Alves de Andrade - 2016.pdf: 2007118 bytes, checksum: 69341ce5bc6c459857d1feff5d92366e (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-05-20T13:54:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - André Felipe Alves de Andrade - 2016.pdf: 2007118 bytes, checksum: 69341ce5bc6c459857d1feff5d92366e (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-20T13:54:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - André Felipe Alves de Andrade - 2016.pdf: 2007118 bytes, checksum: 69341ce5bc6c459857d1feff5d92366e (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Coral reefs are of extreme importance to both nature and society, due to being responsible for several services and harbouring hundreds of species. Despite such critical importance, reef corals current suffered heavy losses since the Anthropocene, with 20% of world´s corals damaged beyond recovery due to human pressure and coastal development. This scenario is even worse, since corals are especially vulnerable to climate change and the entire ecosystem could go extinct by 2050. In this study we focus on comparing the already established impacts from human development and the yet happen losses from climate change on Brazilian corals, a unique fauna that still have gaps in knowledge. We created environmental suitability models for 24 species and quantified individual losses from both climate change and human activities. From the individual results we derived an overall pattern, in which we found out that future losses from climate alteration are equivalent to current losses from human activities. We then used the spatial distribution of those activities and key areas for conservation, determined with software Zonation, to select six areas in the Brazilian exclusive economic zone where proactive and reactive conservation strategies should be implanted, given its importance to biodiversity and concentrated anthropogenic impacts. Overall suitability losses were of approximately 30% for both sources and 60% of the areas will continue to be suitable in the future. Therefore, Brazilian corals will experience heavy losses from climate, especially the loss of highly suitable areas, which are compared to effects from human economic activities. Coral situation is likely to be even worse, if we were to consider bleaching, ocean acidification and diseases, events expected to increase with the rising temperature. / Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) is widely used for conservation purposes, predicting species invasion, evolutionary aspects and a whole array of applications. However, for most cases, evaluating the efficiency of those models poses as problematic, as commonly used methods (i.e. random methods) do not assure the required independence between data used to create the model and data used to evaluate the model. We developed a new transferabilitybased framework that ensures the much-needed independence between subsets. We created an alternate approach that geographically splits occurrence datasets, while intrinsically controls issues related to previous transferability approaches, such as overfitting, extrapolation and sampling bias. We used 26 Atlantic coral species to perform three different geographical divisions quantifying the effect of different splits on model predictive efficiency. We demonstrate that transferability should be used as an effective method to evaluate ENMs. Geographical split of the area in deciles proved as a reliable evaluation method, assuring independence between datasets and being less prone to common transferability issues. Our odds-and-evens framework provides improvements to the ongoing debate of ENMs evaluating by its transferability. This new method corrects the issue of artificiality causing sampling bias and overfitting, common in previous methodologies, while also is less prone to extrapolation issues, a common problem in transferability approaches. Moreover, the framework appears as a feasible and useful alternative to the problematic and commonly used random partition of datasets evaluation.