Wave exposure shapes reef community composition and recovery trajectories at a remote coral atoll DOI Creative Commons
Ines D. Lange, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Jamie M. McDevitt‐Irwin

et al.

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 40(6), P. 1819 - 1829

Published: Sept. 27, 2021

Abstract In a time of unprecedented ecological change, understanding natural biophysical relationships between reef resilience and physical drivers is increasing importance. This study evaluates how wave forcing structures coral benthic community composition recovery trajectories after the major 2015/2016 bleaching event in remote Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean. Benthic cover substrate rugosity were quantified from digital imagery at 23 fore sites around small atoll (Salomon) 2020 compared to data similar survey 2006 opportunistic surveys intermediate years. Cluster analysis principal component show strong separation exposed (modelled exposure > 1000 J m −3 ) sheltered (< 2020. difference driven by relatively high Porites sp., other massive corals, encrusting soft rubble dead table corals versus pavement sponges sites. Total also higher Adding previous years shows shifts distinct exposure-driven assemblages live towards bare pavement, Acropora tables event. The subsequent are surprisingly parallel lead communities their respective pre-bleaching communities. These results demonstrate that absence human stressors, patterns on reefs strongly controlled exposure, even during widespread loss events.

Language: Английский

The 2014–2017 global-scale coral bleaching event: insights and impacts DOI Creative Commons
C. Mark Eakin, Hugh Sweatman,

R. E. Brainard

et al.

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 38(4), P. 539 - 545

Published: July 22, 2019

2014–2017 was an unprecedented period of successive record-breaking hot years, which coincided with the most severe, widespread, and longest-lasting global-scale coral bleaching event ever recorded. The (GCBE) resulted in very high mortality on many reefs, rapid deterioration reef structures, far-reaching environmental impacts. Through papers this special issue Coral Reefs entitled Global Bleaching Event: Drivers, Impacts, Lessons Learned, as well published elsewhere, we have a good analysis GCBE its These studies provided key insights into how climate change-driven marine heatwaves are destroying ecosystems: (a) is unique satellite record spatial scale, duration, intensity, repetition bleaching. (b) impacts been severe seen at reefs. (c) Timing observations matters needs to be considered during (d) On both global local scales, intensity heat stress varied. (e) We continue see important differences among within taxa, roles played by algal symbionts microbiome. (f) Heat play role subsequent disease, plays mortality. (g) Impacts ripple far beyond corals, significant changes fish invertebrate community that may last decades. (h) structure individual coral's skeletons entire reefs has eroded much more quickly than previously realized. (i) little support for proposed "lifeboat" hypothesis, whereby deep or mesophotic serve means salvation. (j) While protected areas (MPAs) provide protection from stressors, they not only do protect but also here evidence resilience.

Language: Английский

Citations

334

Thirty years of coral heat-stress experiments: a review of methods DOI Creative Commons
Rowan H. McLachlan, James Price, Sarah L. Solomon

et al.

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 39(4), P. 885 - 902

Published: April 24, 2020

Abstract For over three decades, scientists have conducted heat-stress experiments to predict how coral will respond ocean warming due global climate change. However, there are often conflicting results in the literature that difficult resolve, which we hypothesize a result of unintended biases, variation experimental design, and underreporting critical methodological information. Here, reviewed 255 (1) document where when they were on species, (2) assess variability (3) quantify diversity response variables measured. First, found two-thirds studies only countries, species more heavily studied than others, 4% focused earlier life stages. Second, slightly half all exposures less 8 d duration, 17% fed corals, conditions varied widely, including level rate temperature increase, light intensity, number genets used, length acclimation period. In addition, 95%, 55%, > 35% did not report tank flow conditions, light–dark cycle or date experiment, respectively. Finally, 21% measure any bleaching phenotype traits, 77% identify Symbiodiniaceae endosymbiont, contribution host physiological was investigated. This review highlights geographic, taxonomic, duration biases our understanding bleaching, large reporting design could account for some discrepancies literature. Development best practice recommendations improve cross-studies comparisons increase efficiency research at time it is needed most.

Language: Английский

Citations

139

Biodiversity increases ecosystem functions despite multiple stressors on coral reefs DOI
Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Shaun K. Wilson, Nicholas A. J. Graham

et al.

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 4(7), P. 919 - 926

Published: May 18, 2020

Language: Английский

Citations

95

A review of a decade of lessons from one of the world’s largest MPAs: conservation gains and key challenges DOI
Graeme C. Hays, Heather J. Koldewey, Samantha Andrzejaczek

et al.

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 167(11)

Published: Oct. 14, 2020

Language: Английский

Citations

78

Increasing Coral Reef Resilience Through Successive Marine Heatwaves DOI
Michael D. Fox, Anne L. Cohen, Randi Rotjan

et al.

Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 48(17)

Published: Aug. 30, 2021

Abstract Ocean warming is causing declines of coral reefs globally, raising critical questions about the potential for corals to adapt. In central equatorial Pacific, persisting through recurrent El Niño heatwaves hold important clues. Using an 18‐year record cover spanning three major bleaching events, we show that impact thermal stress on mortality within Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) has lessened over time. Disproportionate survival extreme during 2009–2010 and 2015–2016 heatwaves, relative in 2002–2003, suggests selective successive may help shape community responses future warming. Identifying facilitating conditions under which recovery can keep pace with rates are essential first steps toward successful stewardship 21st century climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

66

Mesophotic coral bleaching associated with changes in thermocline depth DOI Creative Commons
Clara Diaz, Nicola L. Foster, Martin J. Attrill

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Oct. 16, 2023

As global temperatures continue to rise, shallow coral reef bleaching has become more intense and widespread. Mesophotic ecosystems reside in deeper (30-150 m), cooler water were thought offer a refuge shallow-water reefs. Studies now show that mesophotic instead have limited connectivity with corals but host diverse endemic communities. Given their extensive distribution high biodiversity, understanding susceptibility warming oceans is imperative. In this multidisciplinary study of an atoll the Chagos Archipelago central Indian Ocean, we evidence at 90 m, despite absence bleaching. We also was associated sustained thermocline deepening driven by Ocean Dipole, which might be further enhanced internal waves whose influence varied sub-atoll scale. Our results demonstrate potential vulnerability thermal stress highlight need for oceanographic knowledge predict heterogeneity.

Language: Английский

Citations

26

Early recovery dynamics of turbid coral reefs after recurring bleaching events DOI
Richard D. Evans, Shaun K. Wilson, Rebecca Fisher

et al.

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 268, P. 110666 - 110666

Published: May 14, 2020

Language: Английский

Citations

68

A quick, easy and non‐invasive method to quantify coral growth rates using photogrammetry and 3D model comparisons DOI Creative Commons
Ines D. Lange, Chris T. Perry

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(6), P. 714 - 726

Published: March 12, 2020

Abstract Coral growth rates vary significantly with environmental conditions and are thus important indicators of coral health reef carbonate production. Despite the importance this metric, data sparse for most genera species globally, including many key reef‐building species. Traditional methods to obtain rates, such as coring or staining Alizarin destructive only work a limited number morphological forms. Emerging approaches, using underwater photogrammetry create digital models colonies, providing novel non‐invasive ways explore colony‐scale patterns address existing knowledge gaps. We developed an easy‐to‐follow workflow construct three‐dimensional (3D) from overlapping photographs measure linear, radial vertical extension branching, massive encrusting corals after aligning colony subsequent years. The method presented here was applied 46 colonies nine in remote Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean. Proposed image acquisition software settings produced 3D consistently high resolution detail (precision ≤ 0.2 mm) variability measurements small despite manual alignment, clipping ruler placement ( SD 0.9 mm). Measured Archipelago similar published Indo‐Pacific where comparable available, provide first several For corals, results emphasize differentiating between growth. Photogrammetry model comparisons fast, easy, inexpensive quantify range simplicity encourages its repeatability permits non‐specialists learn goal obtaining linear rates. essential metrics functional consequences ongoing community changes on reefs expanded datasets taxa will aid predictions geographic variations response increasing global stressors.

Language: Английский

Citations

67

Coral community resilience to successive years of bleaching in Kāne‘ohe Bay, Hawai‘i DOI

Raphael Ritson‐Williams,

Ruth D. Gates

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 39(3), P. 757 - 769

Published: May 13, 2020

Language: Английский

Citations

64

Synchronous biological feedbacks in parrotfishes associated with pantropical coral bleaching DOI
Brett M. Taylor, Cassandra E. Benkwitt,

Howard Choat

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 26(3), P. 1285 - 1294

Published: Dec. 2, 2019

Abstract Biological feedbacks generated through patterns of disturbance are vital for sustaining ecosystem states. Recent ocean warming and thermal anomalies have caused pantropical episodes coral bleaching, which has led to widespread mortality a range subsequent effects on reef communities. Although the response many reef‐associated fishes major events reefs is negative (e.g., reduced abundance condition), parrotfishes show strong after living structure manifesting as increases in abundance. However, mechanisms underlying this poorly understood. Using biochronological reconstructions annual otolith (ear stone) growth from two basins, we tested whether parrotfish was enhanced following bleaching‐related mortality, thus providing an organismal mechanism demographic changes populations. Both feeding guilds (scrapers excavators) exhibited individuals bleaching that decoupled expected performance, pattern not evident other fish taxa same environment. These results provide evidence more nuanced ecological feedback system—one where plays key role mediating parrotfish–benthos interactions. By influencing biology assemblages, can thereby stimulate change grazing intensity ultimately geomorphology over time. This cycle operated historically at within‐reef scales; however, our demonstrate scale, magnitude, severity recent entraining biological responses disparate communities respond synchrony. may fundamentally alter relationships between systems.

Language: Английский

Citations

61