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

Remote sensing, isotopic composition and metagenomics analyses revealed Doce River ore plume reached the southern Abrolhos Bank Reefs DOI
Ronaldo B. Francini‐Filho, Marcelle Cândido Cordeiro,

Claudia Y. Omachi

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 697, P. 134038 - 134038

Published: Aug. 29, 2019

Language: Английский

Citations

63
Functional consequences of the long-term decline of reef-building corals in the Caribbean: evidence of across-reef functional convergence DOI Creative Commons
Nuria Estrada‐Saldívar,

Eric Jordán-Dalhgren,

Rosa E. Rodríguez-Martínez

et al.

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 6(10), P. 190298 - 190298

Published: Oct. 1, 2019

Functional integrity on coral reefs is strongly dependent upon cover and carbonate production rate being sufficient to maintain three-dimensional reef structures. Increasing environmental anthropogenic pressures in recent decades have reduced the of key reef-building species, producing a shift towards relative dominance more stress-tolerant taxa leading reduction physical functional integrity. Understanding how changes community composition influence potential their functioning priority for conservation management. Here, we evaluate communities changed northern sector Mexican Caribbean between 1985 2016, implications maintenance functions back- fore-reef zones. We used species explore four morpho-functional groups, composition, calcification, index budget. Over period 31 years, ecological homogenization occurred two zones mostly due framework-building branching (Acropora spp.) foliose-digitiform (Porites porites Agaricia tenuifolia) back-reef, increase non-framework (Agaricia agaricites Porites astreoides). This resulted significant decrease functionality back-reef zone. At present, both negative budgets, thus limited capacity sustain accretion, compromising existing structure its future provide habitat services.

Language: Английский

Citations

63
A meta-analysis to assess long-term spatiotemporal changes of benthic coral and macroalgae cover in the Mexican Caribbean DOI Creative Commons

Ameris I. Contreras-Silva,

Arjen Tilstra, Valentina Migani

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: June 1, 2020

Abstract Coral reefs in the wider Caribbean declined hard coral cover by ~80% since 1970s, but spatiotemporal analyses for sub-regions are lacking. Here, we explored benthic change patterns Mexican through meta-analysis between 1978 and 2016 including 125 reef sites. Findings revealed that decreased from ~26% 1970s to 16% 2016, whereas macroalgae increased ~30% 2016. Both groups showed high variability. Hard total 12% 2004 again 5% 2005 indicating some recovery after mass bleaching event hurricane impacts. In more than 80% of studied were dominated macroalgae, while only 15% corals. This stands contrast when all sites surveyed study is among first within region reports local Caribbean, other have failed recover. Most now no longer order prevent further degradation, viable reliable conservation alternatives required.

Language: Английский

Citations

59
A critical evaluation of benthic phase shift studies on coral reefs DOI
Samantha K. Crisp, Sterling B. Tebbett, David R. Bellwood

et al.

Marine Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 178, P. 105667 - 105667

Published: May 25, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

34
Toward a Multi-stressor Theory for Coral Reefs in a Changing World DOI
Carling Bieg, Henri Vallès, Alexander Tewfik

et al.

Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(2), P. 310 - 328

Published: Jan. 16, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Uncovering cryptic diversity of Lyngbya: the new tropical marine cyanobacterial genus Dapis (Oscillatoriales) DOI
Niclas Engene, Ana Tronholm, Valerie J. Paul

et al.

Journal of Phycology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 54(4), P. 435 - 446

Published: May 23, 2018

Cyanobacteria comprise an extraordinarily diverse group of microorganisms and, as revealed by increasing molecular information, this biodiversity is even more extensive than previously estimated. In sense, the cyanobacterial genus Lyngbya a highly polyphyletic composed many unrelated taxa with morphological similarities. study, new Dapis was erected from Lyngbya, based on combined molecular, chemical, and approach. Herein, two species cyanobacteria are described: D. pleousa pnigousa. Our analyses found these to be widely distributed abundant in tropical subtropical marine habitats. Seasonally, both have ability form algal blooms habitats: shallow-water, soft bottom habitats pnigousa coral reefs below depths 10 m. Electron microscopy showed that contains gas vesicles, character not reported Lyngbya. These conjunction mesh-like network filaments trap oxygen released photosynthesis, provide unusual mechanism disperse coastal waters, allowing present benthic planktonic forms. addition, contained nitrogen-fixing genes well bioactive secondary metabolites. Several specimens biosynthesized metabolite lyngbic acid, molecule has also been isolated other cyanobacteria. consistently produced malyngolide, which may promising chemotaxonomic marker for species.

Language: Английский

Citations

55
Steady Decline of Corals and Other Benthic Organisms in the SeaFlower Biosphere Reserve (Southwestern Caribbean) DOI Creative Commons
Juan A. Sánchez, Matías Gómez‐Corrales,

Lina Gutierrez-Cala

et al.

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Feb. 26, 2019

Coral reef decline persists as a global issue with ties to climate change and human footprint. The SeaFlower Biosphere reserve includes some of the most isolated oceanic coral reefs in Southwestern Caribbean, which provide natural experiments test and/or basin-wide factors affecting reefs. In this study, we compared other substrate cover (algae, cyanobacteria octocorals), along population densities keystone urchin species from two atolls (Serrana Roncador Banks), during 1995, 2003 2015/2016. We also surveyed benthic foraminifera water quality proxy for growth last period. A steady reduction was clearly observed at Roncador`s lagoon, but not Serrana`s reefs, significant differences between 1995 Percent fleshy algae decreased significantly did notably 2016 Serrana. However, both Banks exhibited loss crustose coralline 2015/16. Likewise, bottom complexity, measured rugosity, evident 2003. Bank had unprecedented high octocoral densities, increased almost threefold 2015. contrast, were low Roncador; only Diadema antillarum 2003-2016 Serrana Bank. FORAM Index (FI) below range expected healthy Although follow CCA CA cover, faces an alarming urchins complexity (rugosity) contrast increases potential resilience eutrophication suggested by FI index. These unexpected findings led us consider discuss outcomes, where these deteriorate (i.e., erode drown) providing ideal conditions growth. Hence, it is utmost urgency start monitoring budgets, octocorals nutrient sources.

Language: Английский

Citations

43
Feeding and respiration by giant barrel sponges across a gradient of food abundance in the Red Sea DOI Creative Commons
Michael K. Wooster, Steven E. McMurray, Joseph R. Pawlik

et al.

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 64(4), P. 1790 - 1801

Published: March 3, 2019

Abstract While sponges are well‐known to be suspension feeders, consumption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has recently been highlighted as a mechanism whereby may avoid food limitation. Further, the sponge‐loop hypothesis proposes that consume DOC and then release shed cellular detritus back reef benthos. We examined flux mediated by giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia testudinaria , on reefs in Red Sea across an inshore–offshore gradient had previously proposed affect sponge nutrition other parts tropics. Seawater samples were collected from incurrent excurrent flow 35 sponges. Concentrations total its components, DOC, live particulate (LPOC), detritus, all significantly higher seawater inshore than offshore reefs. The diet X. was comprised primarily with mean values sites 61.5% 34.6% 3.9% LPOC. Across gradient, there evidence (1) threshold concentration (≈ 79 μ mol C L −1 ) below which ceased net consumers (2) limited, deficit relative sites. Sponges exhibited pumping rates, perhaps indicating optimal foraging for POC. As demonstrated muta contrary hypothesis, no returned benthos form detritus.

Language: Английский

Citations

43
First insights into the impacts of benthic cyanobacterial mats on fish herbivory functions on a nearshore coral reef DOI Creative Commons
Amanda Ford, P. Visser,

Maria J. van Herk

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: March 30, 2021

Abstract Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are becoming increasingly common on coral reefs. In Fiji, blooms generally occur in nearshore areas during warm months but some starting to prevail through cold months. Many fundamental knowledge gaps about BCM proliferation remain, including their composition and how they influence reef processes. This study examined a seasonal bloom occurring 17-year-old no-take inshore area Fiji. Surveys quantified the coverage of various BCM-types estimated biomass key herbivorous fish functional groups. Using remote video observations, we compared herbivory (bite rates) substrate covered primarily by BCMs (> 50%) lacking (< 10%) looked for indications (opportunistically) consuming BCMs. Samples different were analysed microscopy next-generation amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA). total, 51 ± 4% (mean s.e.m) benthos. Herbivorous was relatively high (212 36 kg/ha) with good representation across Bite rates significantly reduced BCM-dominated substratum, no unambiguously observed Seven identified, most containing complex consortium cyanobacteria. These results provide insight into impacts Pacific

Language: Английский

Citations

33
Stronger Hurricanes and Climate Change in the Caribbean Sea: Threats to the Sustainability of Endangered Coral Species DOI Open Access
Edwin A. Hernández‐Delgado,

Pedro J. Alejandro-Camis,

Gerardo Cabrera-Beauchamp

et al.

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(4), P. 1506 - 1506

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

An increasing sea surface temperature as a result of climate change has led to higher frequency and strengthening hurricanes across the northeastern Caribbean in recent decades, with risks impacts endangered corals sustainability coral reefs. Category five Hurricanes Irma María during 2017 caused unprecedented damage reef ecosystems Puerto Rico, including mechanical destruction, localized sediment bedload (horizontal transport abrasion), burial by hurricane-generated rubble fields. inflicted significant site-, depth-, life history trait-specific corals, substantial widespread branching species, moderate foliose high small-sized encrusting massive morphotypes due rubble. There was mean 35% decline Acropora palmata live cover, 79% A. cervicornis, 12% Orbicella annularis, 7% O. faveolata, franksi, 96% Dendrogyra cylindrus. Hurricane disturbances resulted major regime shift favoring dominance macroalgae, algal turf, cyanobacteria. Recovery from recruitment or fragment reattachment significantly on more distant reefs, but there none for species. Stronger under projected may represent threat conservation species which will require enhancing propagation restoration strategies, integration adaptive, ecosystem-based management approaches. Recommendations are discussed enhance redundancy, rapid responses, conservation-oriented strategies.

Language: Английский

Citations

5