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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.