Unifying Coral Reef States Through Space and Time Reveals a Changing Ecosystem

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(12)

Published: Oct. 17, 2024

ABSTRACT Aim Ecological state shifts that alter the structure and function of entire ecosystems are a concerning consequence human impact. Yet, when, where why discrete ecological states emerge remains difficult to predict monitor, especially in high‐diversity systems. We sought quantify their drivers through space time most ecologically complex marine ecosystem: tropical coral reefs. Location Worldwide. Time Period 1987–2019. Major Taxa Studied Coral reef communities. Methods Using global dataset 3375 surveys, along with 13 series datasets ranging between 1987 2019, we applied novel double‐dichotomy approach classify reefs into four simplified based on relative contributions corals versus algae benthic cover small‐bodied large‐bodied fishes fish standing stock. then examined considering range spatial predictors tested whether have shifted directionally over time, nature common transitions. Results show geographic, environmental anthropogenic context fundamentally shapes at local scale, which explains disparities among case studies, stakes out critical baseline expectations for regional management efforts. also reveal clear multi‐decadal reefs: systems dominated by reef‐building small‐bodied, planktivorous tend been replaced characterised larger‐bodied fishes. Main Conclusions Our results suggest previously unrecognised transition from harness external subsidies consumers associated structurally live corals, herbivore‐dominated stronger bottom‐up dynamics. Overall, partitioning small suite suggests context‐dependency, shifting baselines changes functioning crucial considerations 21st century.

Language: Английский

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Oceanic productivity and high-frequency temperature variability—not human habitation—supports calcifier abundance on central Pacific coral reefs

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Dec. 16, 2022

Past research has demonstrated how local-scale human impacts—including reduced water quality, overfishing, and eutrophication—adversely affect coral reefs. More recently, global-scale shifts in ocean conditions arising from climate change have been shown to impact Here, we surveyed benthic reef communities at 34 U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands spanning a gradient of oceanic productivity, temperature, habitation. We re-evaluated patterns reported for these the early 2000s which uninhabited reefs were dominated by calcifiers (coral crustose coralline algae) thought be more resilient global change. Using contemporary data collected nearly two decades later, our analyses indicate this projection was not realized. Calcifiers are no longer dominant group islands. Calcifier coverage now averages 26.9% ± 3.9 SE on (compared 45.18% 2000s). then asked whether past sea surface temperatures (SST), or acute heat stress supersede impacts habitation cover. Indeed, found variation cover best explained population densities, but remotely sensed metrics chlorophyll- , SST, island-scale estimates herbivorous fish biomass. Specifically, higher CCA observed productive waters with greater biomass herbivores, while turf increased daily SST variability herbivore Interestingly, positively correlated negatively monthly variation. Surprisingly, Our results reveal that is primary correlate calcifier central island reefs, highlight addition productivity high-frequency list factors supporting builder abundance.

Language: Английский

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When and Where to Restore Coral Reefs: The Key Role of Pre-Launch Assessment to Reef Restoration

Published: Oct. 18, 2023

Coral recruitment is an important factor to coral reefs in maintaining their health. Currently, numerous are facing extreme degradation, which protection and therefore rehabilitation practices required reverse. The present study explores the potential role of assessment by citizen scientists about impacts human influences towards through measurement values. Only a very small number studies use forms pre-launch prior reef restoration. These methods able properly guide vital decision-making information for locations. In this initial we observe significant relationships between with higher values As compared other average values, measured had on average. Two sections noticeably mean corals per square meter while third section lower frequency. This has been brought concern assessment, transplantation reduction anthropogenic actions within area.

Language: Английский

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Decadal Changes in Benthic Community Structure and Function in a Coral Community in the Northeastern Tropical Pacific

Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(7), P. 372 - 372

Published: June 27, 2024

The high diversity and biomass of organisms associated with coral communities depend directly on the maintenance or changes in benthic composition. Over a decade, we evaluated spatiotemporal variation structure composition an insular community Northeastern Tropical Pacific. Our results show that local conditions drive differences, such as sponges, crustose coralline algae, octocorals, hydrocorals all increased abundance (cover) response to negative thermal anomalies caused by 2010–2011 La Niña event. In contrast, abnormally temperatures, those recorded during 2015–2016 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, explain loss scleractinian corals algae coverage, which reduced groups’ richness (BGR), (H’BG), evenness (J’BG), evidence consequent decrease ecosystem function following year. analysis also showed sites habitat heterogeneity harbored higher average BRG H’BG values were less affected environmental fluctuations than live cover lower values. Therefore, was impacted differently same perturbation, groups ecological functions. More importantly, regional stressors ENSO event only temporary structure, demonstrating resilience annual interannual stressors.

Language: Английский

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Coral reef community recovery trajectories vary by depth following a moderate heat stress event at Swains Island, American Samoa

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 171(11)

Published: Oct. 21, 2024

Language: Английский

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