Regime shifts on tropical coral reef ecosystems: future trajectories to animal-dominated states in response to anthropogenic stressors DOI
James J. Bell, Valerio Micaroni, Francesca Strano

et al.

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 95 - 106

Published: Dec. 20, 2021

Despite the global focus on occurrence of regime shifts shallow-water tropical coral reefs over last two decades, most this research continues to changes algal-dominated states. Here, we review recent reports (in approximately decade) states dominated by animal groups other than zooxanthellate Scleractinian corals. We found that while there have been new Ascidacea, Porifera, Octocorallia, Zoantharia, Actiniaria and azooxanthellate corals, some these occurred many decades ago, but only just reported in literature. In cases, are small medium spatial scales (<4 × 104 m2 4 2 106 m2, respectively). Importantly, from few studies where were able collect information persistence shifts, determined non-scleractinian generally unstable, with further since original shift. However, not back dominance. While has understand how sponge- octocoral-dominated systems may function, is still limited what ecosystem services disrupted or lost as a result shifts. Given across world edge tipping points due increasing anthropogenic stress, urgently need consequences non-algal reef

Language: Английский

Cyanobacterial blooms DOI
Jef Huisman,

Geoffrey A. Codd,

Hans W. Paerl

et al.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 16(8), P. 471 - 483

Published: June 26, 2018

Language: Английский

Citations

2249

Scientists’ warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change DOI Creative Commons
Ricardo Cavicchioli, William J. Ripple, Kenneth N. Timmis

et al.

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 569 - 586

Published: June 18, 2019

In the Anthropocene, in which we now live, climate change is impacting most life on Earth. Microorganisms support existence of all higher trophic forms. To understand how humans and other forms Earth (including those are yet to discover) can withstand anthropogenic change, it vital incorporate knowledge microbial 'unseen majority'. We must learn not just microorganisms affect production consumption greenhouse gases) but also they will be affected by human activities. This Consensus Statement documents central role global importance biology. It puts humanity notice that impact depend heavily responses microorganisms, essential for achieving an environmentally sustainable future. The majority with share often goes unnoticed despite underlying major biogeochemical cycles food webs, thereby taking a key change. highlights microbiology issues call action microbiologists.

Language: Английский

Citations

1668

The fate of organic carbon in marine sediments - New insights from recent data and analysis DOI
Douglas E. LaRowe, Sandra Arndt, James A. Bradley

et al.

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 204, P. 103146 - 103146

Published: Feb. 29, 2020

Language: Английский

Citations

227

Carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation using macroalgae: a state of knowledge review DOI Creative Commons
Albert Pessarrodona, Rita Melo Franco-Santos, Luka Seamus Wright

et al.

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(6), P. 1945 - 1971

Published: July 12, 2023

The conservation, restoration, and improved management of terrestrial forests significantly contributes to mitigate climate change its impacts, as well providing numerous co-benefits. pressing need reduce emissions increase carbon removal from the atmosphere is now also leading development natural solutions in ocean. Interest sequestration potential underwater macroalgal growing rapidly among policy, corporate sectors. Yet, our understanding whether can lead tangible mitigation remains severely limited, hampering their inclusion international policy or finance frameworks. Here, we examine results over 180 publications synthesise evidence regarding forest potential. We show that research efforts on macroalgae are heavily skewed towards particulate organic (POC) pathways (77% data publications), fixation most studied flux (55%). Fluxes directly (e.g. export burial marine sediments) remain poorly resolved, likely hindering regional country-level assessments potential, which only available 17 150 countries where occur. To solve this issue, present a framework categorize coastlines according Finally, review multiple avenues through translate into capacity, largely depends interventions above baseline avoid further emissions. find restoration afforestation potentially order 10's Tg C globally. Although lower than current estimates value all habitats (61-268 year-1 ), it suggests could add total coastal blue ecosystems, offer valuable opportunities polar temperate areas currently low. Operationalizing will necessitate models reliably estimate proportion production sequestered, improvements fingerprinting techniques, rethinking accounting methodologies. ocean provides major adapt change, largest vegetated habitat Earth should not be ignored simply because does fit existing

Language: Английский

Citations

64

Large-scale patterns of benthic marine communities in the Brazilian Province DOI Creative Commons
Anaide W. Aued,

Franz Smith,

Juan P. Quimbayo

et al.

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 13(6), P. e0198452 - e0198452

Published: June 8, 2018

As marine ecosystems are influenced by global and regional processes, standardized information on community structure has become crucial for assessing broad-scale responses to natural anthropogenic disturbances. Extensive biogeographic provinces, such as the Brazilian Province in southwest Atlantic, present numerous theoretical methodological challenges understanding patterns a macroecological scale. In particular, is composed of complex system heterogeneous reefs few offshore islands, with contrasting histories geophysical-chemical environments. Despite large extent (almost 8,000 kilometers), most studies shallow benthic communities qualitative surveys and/or have been geographically restricted. We quantified reef habitats from 0° 27°S latitude using standard photographic quadrat technique. Percent cover data indicated that were dominated algal turfs frondose macroalgae, low percent reef-building corals. Community composition differed significantly among localities, mostly because their macroalgal abundance, despite type or geographic region, no evident latitudinal pattern. Benthic diversity was lower tropics, contrary general gradient Richness peaked at mid-latitudes, between 20°S 23°S, where it ~3.5-fold higher than localities lowest richness. This study provides first large-scale description along southwestern providing baseline comparisons evaluation future impacts. Moreover, new richness distribution will contribute conservation planning efforts, management strategies spatial prioritization creation protected areas.

Language: Английский

Citations

139

Fine sediment and particulate organic matter: A review and case study on ridge-to-reef transport, transformations, fates, and impacts on marine ecosystems DOI
Zoë Bainbridge, Stephen Lewis, Rebecca Bartley

et al.

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 135, P. 1205 - 1220

Published: Sept. 6, 2018

Language: Английский

Citations

119

The Emerging Ecological and Biogeochemical Importance of Sponges on Coral Reefs DOI Open Access
Joseph R. Pawlik, Steven E. McMurray

Annual Review of Marine Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 12(1), P. 315 - 337

Published: June 21, 2019

With the decline of reef-building corals on tropical reefs, sponges have emerged as an important component changing coral reef ecosystems. Seemingly simple, are highly diverse taxonomically, morphologically, and in terms their relationships with symbiotic microbes, they one nature's richest sources novel secondary metabolites. Unlike most other benthic organisms, capacity to disrupt boundary flow pump large volumes seawater into water column. This is chemically transformed it passes through sponge body a consequence feeding, excretion, activities microbial symbionts, effects carbon nutrient cycling organisms column adjacent reef. In this review, we critically evaluate developments recently dynamic research area ecology reefs provide perspective for future studies.

Language: Английский

Citations

118

Reefs under Siege—the Rise, Putative Drivers, and Consequences of Benthic Cyanobacterial Mats DOI Creative Commons
Amanda Ford, Sonia Bejarano, Maggy M. Nugues

et al.

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Feb. 1, 2018

Benthic cyanobacteria have commonly been a small but integral component of coral reef ecosystems, fulfilling the critical function introducing bioavailable nitrogen to an inherently oligotrophic environment. Though surveys may previously neglected benthic cyanobacteria, or grouped them with more conspicuous groups, emerging evidence strongly indicates that they are becoming increasingly prevalent on reefs worldwide. Some species can form mats comprised by diverse microbial consortium which allows exist across wide range environmental conditions. This review evaluates putative driving factors increasing cyanobacterial mats, including climate change, declining coastal water quality, iron input, and overexploitation key consumer ecosystem engineer species. Ongoing global change increase growth rates toxin production physiologically plastic placing at considerable competitive advantage against reef-building corals. Once established, strong ecological feedbacks (e.g. inhibition recruitment, release dissolved organic carbon) reinforce degradation. The also highlights overlooked implications mat proliferation, extend beyond health affect human welfare. identifying (opportunistic) consumers remains priority, their perceived low palatability implies herbivore management alone be insufficient control proliferation must accompanied local measures improve quality watershed management.

Language: Английский

Citations

73

Recovery disparity between coral cover and the physical functionality of reefs with impaired coral assemblages DOI
F. Javier González‐Barrios, Rafael A. Cabral‐Tena, Lorenzo Álvarez‐Filip

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 27(3), P. 640 - 651

Published: Nov. 1, 2020

Abstract The ecology and structure of many tropical coral reefs have been markedly altered over the past few decades. Although long‐term recovery has observed in terms cover, it is not clear how novel species configurations shape reef functionality impaired reefs. identities life‐history strategies corals that recover are essential for understanding functional dynamics. We used a identity approach to quantify physical outcomes 13 year period across 56 sites Mexican Caribbean. This region was affected by multiple stressors converged drastically damaged early 2000s. Since then, shown evidence modest cover. Bayesian linear models annual rates change estimate temporal changes Moreover, diversity framework explore composition traits those assemblages. Between 2005 2018, increased at lower rate compared disparity between depended on (mainly non‐framework foliose‐digitate corals). No dominance or trait were observed, whereas building consistently dominated most cover potential may provide some ecological benefits, effects frameworks remain unclear, as key reef‐building observed. Our findings likely be representative wider Caribbean basin, declines rapid increases relative abundance weedy reported regionally. A assess turnover needed understand

Language: Английский

Citations

68

A review of bottom-up vs. top-down control of sponges on Caribbean fore-reefs: what’s old, what’s new, and future directions DOI Creative Commons
Joseph R. Pawlik, Tse‐Lynn Loh, Steven E. McMurray

et al.

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 6, P. e4343 - e4343

Published: Jan. 31, 2018

Interest in the ecology of sponges on coral reefs has grown recent years with mounting evidence that are becoming dominant members reef communities, particularly Caribbean. New estimates water column processing by sponge pumping activities combined discoveries related to carbon and nutrient cycling have led novel hypotheses about role ecosystem function. Among these developments, a debate emerged relative effects bottom-up (food availability) top-down (predation) control community Caribbean fore-reefs. In this review, we evaluate impact latest findings debate, as well provide new insights based older citations. Recent studies employed different research methods demonstrated dissolved organic (DOC) detritus principal sources food for growing list species, challenging idea availability living picoplankton is sole proxy growth or abundance. reports confirmed earlier macroalgae release labile DOC available nutrition. Evidence structure fish predation further supported gut content historical population hawksbill turtles, which likely had much greater abundances past. Implicit investigations designed address vs. appropriate fore-reef environments, where benthic communities relatively homogeneous terrestrial influences abiotic minimized. One study test both aspects did so using experiments conducted entirely shallow lagoonal habitats dominated mangroves seagrass beds. The results from reinterpreted supporting past demonstrating predator preferences species abundant habitats, but grazed away habitats. We conclude fore-reefs present largely structured predation, offer directions research, such determining environmental conditions under may be food-limited (e.g., deep sea, habitats) monitoring changes populations turtles rebound.

Language: Английский

Citations

66