Contrasting rates of coral recovery and reassembly in coral communities on the Great Barrier Reef

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 33(3), P. 553 - 563

Published: April 9, 2014

Changes in the relative abundances of coral taxa during recovery from disturbance may cause shifts essential ecological processes on reefs. Coral cover can return to pre-disturbance levels (coral recovery) without assemblage returning its previous composition (i.e., reassembly). The underlying such changes are not well understood due a scarcity long-term studies with sufficient taxonomic resolution. We assessed trajectories and time frames for reassembly communities following disturbances, using modeled based data broad spatial temporal monitoring program. studied at six reefs that suffered substantial loss subsequently regained least 50 % their cover. Five rates were remarkably consistent, taking 7–10 years. Four reassembled 8–13 three both ten two suggested they unlikely reassemble remaining community did regain had high abundance tabulate Acropora spp. this appear likely persist regime pulse disturbances intervals years or more. Communities failed either near-shore locations Porites soft corals. Under current regimes, these re-establish composition.

Language: Английский

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Diet and cross-shelf distribution of rabbitfishes (f. Siganidae) on the northern Great Barrier Reef: implications for ecosystem function

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 32(4), P. 973 - 984

Published: May 7, 2013

Language: Английский

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Experimental support for alternative attractors on coral reefs

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 116(10), P. 4372 - 4381

Published: Feb. 11, 2019

Ecological theory predicts that ecosystems with multiple basins of attraction can get locked in an undesired state, which has profound ecological and management implications. Despite their significance, alternative attractors have proven to be challenging detect characterize natural communities. On coral reefs, it been hypothesized persistent coral-to-macroalgae “phase shifts” result from overfishing herbivores and/or nutrient enrichment may reflect a regime shift alternate attractor, but, date, the evidence equivocal. Our field experiments Moorea, French Polynesia, revealed following: ( i ) hysteresis existed herbivory–macroalgae relationship, creating potential for coral–macroalgae bistability at some levels herbivory, ii macroalgae were attractor under prevailing conditions lagoon but not on fore reef, where ambient herbivory fell outside experimentally delineated region hysteresis. These findings help explain different community responses disturbances between reef habitats Moorea over past several decades reinforce idea reversing reefs difficult. experimental framework represents powerful diagnostic tool probe systems and, as such, inform strategies needed maintain critical ecosystem functions face escalating stresses.

Language: Английский

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Delayed coral recovery in a warming ocean

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 23(9), P. 3869 - 3881

Published: May 9, 2017

Abstract Climate change threatens coral reefs across the world. Intense bleaching has caused dramatic mortality in many tropical regions recent decades, but less obvious chronic effects of temperature and other stressors can be equally threatening to long‐term persistence diverse coral‐dominated reef systems. Coral persist if recovery rates equal or exceed average mortality. While from acute destructive events is often easy measure, estimating investigating factors that influence them requires commitment. Coastal development increasing regions, sea surface temperatures are also rising. The resulting stresses have predictable, adverse on recovery, lack consistent data sets prevented measurement how much actually changing. Using monitoring 47 spread over 10 degrees latitude Australia's Great Barrier Reef ( GBR ), we used a modified Gompertz equation estimate following disturbance. We compared two periods: 7 years before after an widespread heat stress event 2002. From 2003 2009, there were few disturbances region, allowing us attribute observed shortfall residual plus stressors. Compared with period 2002, fast‐growing Acroporidae “Other” slower growing hard corals slowed doubling time taken for modest levels recovery. If this persists, times will at when predicted become more frequent intense. Our study supports need management actions protect locally generated stresses, as well urgent global action mitigate climate change.

Language: Английский

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Adaptations to maintain the contributions of small-scale fisheries to food security in the Pacific Islands

Marine Policy, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 88, P. 303 - 314

Published: June 27, 2017

Language: Английский

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