Bringing Back Reef Fish: Sustainable Impacts of Community-Based Restoration of Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico (2008–2023)

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(14), P. 5985 - 5985

Published: July 12, 2024

In response to the severe fragmentation of Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), stands caused by a major winter swell (“Holy Swell”) in March 2008, an emergency community-based low-tech restoration was initiated Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Over 15-year period, coral demographic performance and fish assemblages were monitored across four restored control (non-restored) 100 m2 plots. The effort proved be highly successful, leading successful survival growth, sustained recovery assemblages, particularly herbivore guilds. Significantly increased abundance, biomass, diversity observed all trophic functional groups, fishery target species, geo-ecological groups both These positive outcomes attributed enhanced spatial complexity long-term “nutrient hotspots” within plots, refugia effect from benthic complexity, dispersal paths promoting spillover effects adjacent non-restored areas. Restoring guilds played crucial role restoring vital ecological processes reef ecosystem resilience. Recommendations include integrating assemblage into strategies, establishing natural nursery plots for future sourcing, incorporating concept seascapes holistic ecosystem-based approach restoration.

Language: Английский

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Assessing recovery potential of coral reefs in Madagascar and the effects of Marine Protected Areas

Regional Studies in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 77, P. 103710 - 103710

Published: July 24, 2024

Language: Английский

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The role of herbivores in shaping subtropical coral communities in warming oceans

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 169(5)

Published: April 7, 2022

Abstract Tropicalization is rapidly restructuring subtropical marine communities. A key driver for tropicalization changes in herbivory pressure that are linked with degrading ecosystem stability. Consequently, algal beds being displaced by climate-mediated colonisation of coral This process thought to be aided the elevated resulting from tropicalization, but relative contribution different taxa not fully understood. Evaluating and its effect on cover rugosity across a latitudinal gradient will help predict how these processes may change further ocean warming. Herbivory exerted fishes urchins this remains unquantified. Using in-situ feeding observations, we quantify fish urchin at seven sites non-accreting communities, warmer accreting reefs southern Japan. We then relate respective community structure rugosity. Urchin greater communities than true reefs; result which reversed herbivory. Overall, dependent reef characteristics as structures differ more strongly among between regions. These factors reefs, climatic regions, emphasising influence local benthic associated community, thus pressure. Our findings provide foundation understanding respond ongoing given invertebrate herbivores they host.

Language: Английский

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Variable Responses to a Marine Heat Wave in Five Fringing Reefs of Southern Taiwan

Applied Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(9), P. 5554 - 5554

Published: April 29, 2023

In 2020 marine heatwaves elicited severe bleaching on many of Earth’s coral reefs. We compared reef benthic community composition before (April 2020), during (September and after (December 2020–September 2021) this event at five fringing reefs Southern Taiwan. The four shallow (3 m) were hard coral-dominated in April (cover = 37–55%), though non-bleached cover decreased to only 5–15% by December 2020. Coral abundance the two m), natural had failed return pre-bleaching levels September 2021. contrast, artificial reached ~45–50% time, with a small drop diversity. This is despite fact that one these reefs, Outlet, was characterized temperatures >30 °C for over 80 days six-month period due not but also inundation warm-water effluent from nearby nuclear power plant. Only lone deep (7 spared maintained coral/algal ratio >1 all survey times; its actually increased 18-month monitoring period. These data suggest (1) could serve as refuge thermal impacts Taiwan, (2) remaining corals Outlet have either adapted or acclimatized abnormally elevated temperatures.

Language: Английский

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Post-bleaching alterations in coral reef communities

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 186, P. 114479 - 114479

Published: Dec. 21, 2022

We explored the extent of post-bleaching impacts, caused by 2014-2016 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, on benthic community structure (BCS) and herbivores (fish sea urchins) seven fringing reefs, with differing protection levels, in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Results showed alterations BCS, up to 68 % coral mortality 48 increase turf algae cover all reef sites. Herbivorous fish biomass increased after bleaching was correlated some while opposite found for urchin densities, significant declines complete absence. The severity impact varied across individual larger protected compared unprotected reefs. Our study provides a highly relevant reference point guide future research contributes our understanding trends, evaluation health resilience region.

Language: Английский

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Compounded effects of sea urchin grazing and physical disturbance on macroalgal canopies in the lagoon of Moorea, French Polynesia

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 697, P. 45 - 56

Published: Aug. 1, 2022

Release from herbivory is a factor underpinning coral replacement by macroalgae. Once macroalgae have achieved dominance, shifts back to the coral-dominated state can be hindered stabilizing feedbacks. Thus, restoring herbivore assemblages alone insufficient trigger recovery. However, herbivores could control macroalgal recovery in aftermath of physical disturbances removing Diadematid urchins at Moorea (French Polynesia) collapsed last decade. By means manipulative field experiment, we tested interactive effects disturbance and increased diadematid densities on inside lagoon. Massive Porites colonies, referred as ‘bommies’, were assigned 3 different removal treatments (removal stipes fronds canopy-forming Turbinaria ornata Sargassum pacificum , total erect or untouched) exposed urchin (absent, low [~0.5 ind. m -2 ], intermediate [~1 ]). After 1 yr, sea had no effect covers S. T. when canopies left untouched. Urchins bommies, but not that . urchins, even densities, did generate major changes structure benthic experimental bommies. Our study indicates moderate increase unlikely reduce extent stands reefs unless associated with other guilds able remove adult (i.e. browsers).

Language: Английский

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Effects of Madagascar marine reserves on juvenile and adult coral abundance, and the implication for population regulation

Marine Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 190, P. 106080 - 106080

Published: July 6, 2023

Language: Английский

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Dynamic of coral recruits in the Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(2)

Published: March 12, 2024

Abstract. Tarigan SAR, Munasik, Wijayanti DP, Muhidin, Rohman EA, Pardede S. 2024. Dynamic of coral recruits in the Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 869-880. After a disturbance event, reefs can recover naturally by recruiting new corals. These be affected environmental factors like substrate's physical and biological structure, predation, accidental mortality grazers, as well number size parent corals supplying larvae. This study examined connection between newly recruited such sea urchin density, herbivorous fish abundance, hard coverage. The was monitored changes cover, juvenile herbivore coverage at 43 locations two depths (shallow; 2-3 m) deep (8-10 from 2013 to 2022. were distributed across six different zone systems: core zone, protection tourism traditional fisheries aquaculture rehabilitation zone. Multiple Linae Regression, ANOVA test, Principal Component Analysis employed assess relationship recruitment other variables. Results indicated that density not significantly when comparing zoning systems (two-way P-value>0.05). Based on PCA analysis, we found 2019, excavator, urchin, browser, have positive with recruitment, which implies would increase increase. Meanwhile, 2019 2022, has negative scraper, also growth (although only 2022), implying decrease if scraper recommends restoring role species Park (KNP) prioritizing them conservation efforts managing their populations.

Language: Английский

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Saving coral reefs: significance and biotechnological approaches for coral conservation

Advanced Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(4)

Published: Nov. 22, 2024

Coral reefs are highly productive ecosystems that provide valuable services to coastal communities worldwide. However, both local and global anthropogenic stressors, threaten the coral-algal symbiosis enables reef formation. This breakdown of symbiotic relationship, known as bleaching, is often triggered by cumulative cell damage. UV heat stress commonly implicated in but other factors may also play a role. To address coral loss, active restoration already underway many critical regions. Additionally, researchers exploring assisted evolution methods for greater resilience projected climate change. review provides an overview mechanisms underlying bleaching response strategies being pursued loss. Despite necessity ongoing research all aspects this field, action on change remains crucial long-term survival reefs.

Language: Английский

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Scraping and grazing herbivorous/detritivorous fish display opposite feeding behaviours under different protection regulations

Marine Biology Research, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 17(9-10), P. 876 - 891

Published: Nov. 26, 2021

Herbivorous and detritivorous fish display complex feeding behaviour, research into how behaviour changes with environmental social variables is lacking. Such knowledge imperative to infer herbivory/detritivory will differ, in light of shifting resources communities specifically whether reefs can recover from disturbance. Fish abundance, rate, body size, diet schooling three major functional groups (scrapers, grazers browsers) were examined across reef types under different fishing regulations. Scrapers (parrotfishes surgeonfishes) more abundant displayed the highest rates on flats. mainly resided inside restricted zone, while found general use where macroalgal abundance was highest. Browsers (rabbitfishes) seldom observed patchily gathered flat slope both zones. Thus, protection did not appear benefit browsers, whereas scrapers shallow flats zone. Scraper grazer increased an individual a pair these factors led variations behaviours Protection appears largely related school size. Lastly, density associated coverage than status. The opposite indicates only status, but restrictions size limit regulations are needed maintain coral fisheries diversity Taiwan.

Language: Английский

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