Social–environmental drivers inform strategic management of coral reefs in the Anthropocene

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 3(9), P. 1341 - 1350

Published: Aug. 12, 2019

Language: Английский

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Transformation of coral communities subjected to an unprecedented heatwave is modulated by local disturbance

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(14)

Published: April 5, 2023

Corals are imminently threatened by climate change–amplified marine heatwaves. However, how to conserve coral reefs remains unclear, since those without local anthropogenic disturbances often seem equally or more susceptible thermal stress as impacted ones. We disentangle this apparent paradox, revealing that the relationship between reef disturbance and heatwave impacts depends upon scale of biological organization. show a tropical globally unprecedented duration (~1 year) culminated in an 89% loss hard cover. At community level, losses depended on pre-heatwave structure, with undisturbed sites, which were dominated competitive corals, undergoing greatest losses. In contrast, at species survivorship individual corals typically declined intensified. Our study reveals both prolonged heatwaves projected under change will still have winners losers can impair survival even such extreme conditions.

Language: Английский

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Long‐term dynamics and drivers of coral and macroalgal cover on inshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Sept. 24, 2019

Quantifying the role of biophysical and anthropogenic drivers coral reef ecosystem processes can inform management strategies that aim to maintain or restore structure productivity. However, few studies have examined combined effects multiple drivers, partitioned their impacts, established threshold values may trigger shifts in benthic cover. Inshore fringing reefs Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) occur high-sediment, high-nutrient environments are under increasing pressure from acute chronic stressors. Despite world-leading management, including networks no-take marine reserves, relative declines hard cover 40-50% occurred recent years, with localized but persistent macroalgal dominance on some reefs. Here we use boosted regression tree analyses test importance using a long-term (12-18 yr) data set collected at four island groups. Coral were negatively correlated all groups, particularly when was above 20%. Although each group had different disturbance-and-recovery histories, degree heating weeks (DHW) routine wave exposure consistently emerged as common In addition, combinations sea-surface temperature, nutrient turbidity parameters, high (primary) floodwater, depth, grazing fish density, farming damselfish zoning variously contributed changes group. Clear apparent for exposure, cover, weeks, chlorophyll a, cyclone however, variable among Our findings demonstrate inshore communities typically structured by broadscale climatic perturbations, superimposed upon unique sets local-scale drivers. rapidly escalating climate change impacts largest threat GBRMP globally, our suggest proactive actions effectively reduce stressors local scales should contribute improved resistance recovery potential following disturbances.

Language: Английский

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Drivers of coastal benthic communities in a complex environmental setting

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 203, P. 116462 - 116462

Published: May 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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Sixteen years of social and ecological dynamics reveal challenges and opportunities for adaptive management in sustaining the commons

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 116(52), P. 26474 - 26483

Published: Dec. 16, 2019

Efforts to confront the challenges of environmental change and uncertainty include attempts adaptively manage social-ecological systems. However, critical questions remain about whether adaptive management can lead sustainable outcomes for both ecosystems society. Here, we make a contribution these efforts by presenting 16-y analysis ecological perceived livelihood impacts from coral reef in Papua New Guinea. The system studied was customary rotational fisheries closure (akin fallow agriculture), which helped increase biomass fish less wary (more catchable) relative openly fished areas. over time amount reefs slowly declined. We found that, overall, resource users tended have positive perceptions this system, but there were negative when fishing being prohibited. also highlight some key traits including 1) strong social cohesion, whereby leaders played role knowledge exchange; 2) high levels compliance, facilitated via "carrot-and-stick" approach that publicly rewarded good behavior punished deviant behavior; 3) participation community actors.

Language: Английский

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Habitat and fishing control grazing potential on coral reefs

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 34(1), P. 240 - 251

Published: Sept. 18, 2019

Abstract Herbivory is a key process on coral reefs, which, through grazing of algae, can help sustain coral‐dominated states frequently disturbed reefs and reverse macroalgal regime shifts degraded ones. Our understanding herbivory largely founded feeding observations at small spatial scales, yet the biomass structure herbivore populations more closely linked to processes which be highly variable across large areas, such as benthic habitat turnover fishing pressure. Though our spatiotemporal variation in grazer well developed, equivalent macroscale approaches bottom‐up top‐down controls are lacking. Here, we integrate underwater survey data fish abundances from four Indo‐Pacific island regions with estimate rates for two functions, cropping (which turf algae) scraping promotes settlement by clearing substrate), 72 reefs. By including range reef states, algal dominance heavily fished remote wilderness evaluate influences assemblages. Cropping were primarily influenced condition, maximized structurally complex high substratum availability low cover. Fishing was primary driver function, depleted most relative remote, unfished though did increase structural complexity. Ultimately, conditions functioning their effect biomass, tightly correlated rates. For given level show that higher dominated small‐bodied fishes, suggesting pressure greatest when size truncated. Stressors cause declines clear substrate algae will likely stimulate increases rates, both protected areas. In contrast, functions already impaired inhabited people, particularly where complexity has collapsed, indicating restoration these require scraper rebuilt towards levels. A free Plain Language Summary found within Supporting Information this article.

Language: Английский

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First insights into the impacts of benthic cyanobacterial mats on fish herbivory functions on a nearshore coral reef

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

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Can Herbivore Management Increase the Persistence of Indo-Pacific Coral Reefs?

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

Published: Sept. 10, 2019

Due to climate change, coral reefs have experienced mass bleaching and mortality events in recent years. Although are unlikely persist their current form unless change can be addressed, local management a role play by extending the time frame over which there functional reef systems capable of recovery. Here we consider potential application one – herbivorous fishes. The premise behind this approach is that increased herbivory could shift algal assemblages states benign or beneficial for corals, thereby increasing corals' ability recover from destructive such as thrive periods between events. With focus on Indo-Pacific reefs, review what known about underlying processes coral-algal competition ultimately affect corals grow, persist, replenish themselves. We then critically assess evidence effectiveness otherwise herbivore within marine protected areas (MPAs) better understand why many MPAs not improved outcomes more importantly identify circumstances would most likely effective. Herbivore panacea, but has enhance persistence right circumstances. Those include that: (i) absent management, an 'algal problem' i.e. insufficient maintain algae corals; (ii) actions able increase net herbivory. As corallivory potentially widespread negative consequence some problem well solutions. Because effects certain greatest settlement early survivorship, it may maintaining sufficient particularly important promoting recovery bleaching. Thus, part wider strategy manage reduce threats currently imperil reefs.

Language: Английский

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Patterns and implications of spatial covariation in herbivore functions on resilience of coral reefs

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

Abstract Persistent shifts to undesired ecological states, such as from coral macroalgae, are becoming more common. This highlights the need understand processes that can help restore affected ecosystems. Herbivory on reefs is widely recognized a key interaction keep macroalgae outcompeting coral. Most attention has been role ‘grazing’ herbivores play in preventing establishment of while less research focused ‘browsers’ extirpating macroalgae. Here we explored patterns, environmental correlates and state shift consequences spatial co-variation grazing browsing functions herbivorous fishes. Grazing rates were not highly correlated across 20 lagoon sites Moorea, French Polynesia, but did cluster into 3 (of 4) combinations high low consumption (no site had browsing). Consumption with grazer or browser fish biomass, both predicted by specific variables. Experiments revealed reversibility macroalgal was strongly related variation intensity. Our findings provide insights simple diagnostic tools regarding heterogeneity top-down forcing influences vulnerability reefs.

Language: Английский

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Cryptic coral community composition across environmental gradients

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(2), P. e0318653 - e0318653

Published: Feb. 6, 2025

Cryptic genetic variation is increasingly being identified in numerous coral species, with prior research indicating that different cryptic lineages can exhibit varied responses to environmental changes. This suggests a potential link between and local conditions. In this study, we investigate how communities of vary along gradients. We began by identifying within six species sampled around St. Croix, USVI based on 2b-RAD sequencing data. then analyzed associations the distributions across (i.e., “cryptic community composition”) ecoregions, or geographically distinct Our findings show depth more significant predictor composition than ecoregions most influential factor among 40 abiotic variables characterize ecoregions. These results imply are influenced both conditions, although exact factors driving these patterns remain unknown. Understanding turnover seascape important consider when outplanting corals restore reef, as locally-adapted may have differential fitness

Language: Английский

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