Herbivory and the resilience of Caribbean coral reefs: knowledge gaps and implications for management

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 520, P. 1 - 20

Published: Dec. 22, 2014

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 520:1-20 (2015) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11170 FEATURE ARTICLE: REVIEW Herbivory and resilience of Caribbean coral reefs: knowledge gaps implications for management Thomas C. Adam1,4,*, Deron E. Burkepile1, Benjamin I. Ruttenberg2, Michelle J. Paddack3 1Marine Sciences Program, Department Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA 2NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 33149, Department, California Polytechnic State San Luis Obispo, CA 93410, 3Biological Santa Barbara City College, Barbara, 93109, 4Present address: Institute, University California, 93106, *Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT: is a key process on reefs that can facilitate reef-building corals by excluding algae otherwise negatively impact settlement, growth, survivorship. Over last several decades, cover has declined precipitously. On many reefs, large structurally complex have been replaced other non-reef-building organisms, resulting in collapse physical structure loss critical ecosystem services. The drivers decline are vary among locations. populations herbivores greatly reduced disease overfishing, this resulted proliferation hinder recovery following major disturbances. Yet, evidence increases herbivory promote mixed. Here, we discuss contingencies will modify relationships between herbivores, algae, identify limit ability predict when where most likely persistence recovery. Impacts reef ecosystems space time depend herbivore diversity species identity. While there still number gaps, make recommendations based current understanding processes ecosystems. Reversing fate require development integrated strategies simultaneously address multiple stressors addition impacts fisheries assemblages. KEY WORDS: Phase shift · Grazing Macroalgae Parrotfish Fishing Diadema Climate change Restoration Full text pdf format Information about Feature Article NextCite article as: Adam TC, Burkepile DE, Ruttenberg BI, Paddack MJ management. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 520:1-20. Export citation Tweet linkedIn Cited Published Vol. 520. Online publication date: February 03, 2015 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; 1616-1599 Copyright © Inter-Research.

Language: Английский

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Abrolhos Bank Reef Health Evaluated by Means of Water Quality, Microbial Diversity, Benthic Cover, and Fish Biomass Data

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 7(6), P. e36687 - e36687

Published: June 5, 2012

The health of the coral reefs Abrolhos Bank (southwestern Atlantic) was characterized with a holistic approach using measurements four ecosystem components: (i) inorganic and organic nutrient concentrations, [1] fish biomass, macroalgal cover (iv) microbial community composition abundance. possible benefits protection from fishing were particularly evaluated by comparing sites varying levels protection. Two within well-enforced no-take area National Marine Park (Parcel dos California) compared two unprotected coastal (Sebastião Gomes Pedra de Leste) one legally protected but poorly enforced reef (the "paper park" Timbebas Reef). biomass lower fleshy higher in areas. had similar seawater chemistry. Lower vibrio CFU counts observed fully California Reef. Metagenome analysis showed that abundance archaeal viral sequences more bacterial pathogens, while genes related to photosynthesis. Similar other systems world, there evidence reductions herbivorous fishes consequent increase may be affecting diversity Through integration different types ecological data, present study lead greater health. data presented herein suggest have diversity, most degraded Gomes) showing marked reduction species richness. It is concluded conditions promote growth rapid evolution opportunistic pathogens.

Language: Английский

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Natural history of coral−algae competition across a gradient of human activity in the Line Islands

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 460, P. 1 - 12

Published: June 20, 2012

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 460:1-12 (2012) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09874 FEATURE ARTICLE Natural history of coral−algae competition across a gradient human activity in Line Islands Katie L. Barott1,*, Gareth J. Williams2, Mark A. Vermeij3,4, Jill Harris2, Jennifer E. Smith2, Forest Rohwer1, Stuart Sandin2 1Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, Diego, California 92182, USA 2Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution Oceanography, University 9500 Gilman La Jolla, 92083, 3Caribbean Research Management (CARMABI), Piscaderabaai z/n, PO Box 2090, Willemstad, Curacao 4Aquatic Microbiology, Institute Ecosystem Dynamics, Amsterdam, Science Park 700, 1098 XH The Netherlands *Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT: Competition between corals benthic algae is prevalent on coral reefs worldwide has potential influence structure reef benthos. Human activities may outcome these interactions by favoring become superior competitor, this type change competitive dynamics mechanism driving coral−algal phase shifts. Here we surveyed types outcomes with Central Pacific. ranged from nearly pristine heavily fished. We observed major differences dominant groups interacting sites, varied different islands. Corals were generally better competitors against crustose coralline regardless location, turf surrounding uninhabited On inhabited islands, however, competitors. When broken down size class, found that smallest largest colonies best algae; former successfully fought off while being completely surrounded, latter avoided algal overgrowth growing up above Our data suggest disruption ecosystem lead building pattern disadvantage encroaching algae, particularly potentially initiating transition towards dominance. KEY WORDS: Crustose · Turf Macroalgae Coral . Interaction Full text pdf format Information about Feature Article Supplementary material NextCite article as: Barott KL, Williams GJ, Vermeij MJA, Harris J, Smith JE, Rohwer FL, Sandin SA Islands. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 460:1-12. Export citation Tweet linkedIn Cited Published Vol. 460. Online publication date: July 24, 2012 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; 1616-1599 Copyright © Inter-Research.

Language: Английский

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Reefscapes of fear: predation risk and reef hetero‐geneity interact to shape herbivore foraging behaviour

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 85(1), P. 146 - 156

Published: Sept. 2, 2015

Predators can exert strong direct and indirect effects on ecological communities by intimidating their prey. The nature of predation risk is often context dependent, but in some ecosystems these contingencies are overlooked. Risk not uniform across landscapes or among species. Indeed, they vary widely gradients habitat complexity with different prey escape tactics. These dependencies may be especially important for such as coral reefs that have species-rich predator communities. With field experiments using decoys the black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), we investigated how reef interacts to affect foraging behaviour herbivory rates large herbivorous fishes (e.g. parrotfishes surgeonfishes) four Florida Keys (USA). In both high low areas reef, measured changed increasing distance from decoy examine reconcile conflicting demands avoiding vs. within a reefscape context. We show risk, consumed dramatically less food (ca. 90%) fed at faster rate when did feed 26%). Furthermore, closest were 40% smaller than those foraged further distances. Thus, individuals showed muted response compared larger counterparts, potentially due decreased lower reproductive value (i.e. asset protection principle). Habitat heterogeneity mediated differently species herbivores, more strongly suppressing herbivore feeding complex higher predation. appear create fear changes size structure herbivores towards individuals, increases individual rates, suppresses overall amounts primary producers consumed, altering patterns herbivory, an ecosystem process critical healthy reefs.

Language: Английский

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Fish‐derived nutrient hotspots shape coral reef benthic communities

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 25(8), P. 2142 - 2152

Published: May 11, 2015

Animal-derived nutrients play an important role in structuring nutrient regimes within and between ecosystems. When animals undergo repetitive, aggregating behavior through time, they can create hotspots where rates of biogeochemical activity are higher than those found the surrounding environment. In turn, these influence ecosystem processes community structure. We examined potential for reef fishes from family Haemulidae (grunts) to impact on communities. To do so, we tracked schooling locations diurnally migrating grunts, which shelter at sites during day but forage off each night, measured fish schools benthic that grunt showed a high degree site fidelity, repeatedly returning same coral heads. These aggregations created around heads nitrogen phosphorus delivery was roughly 10 7 times respective structurally similar lacked fishes. grazing herbivorous grunt-derived were approximately 3 grunts rare. differences led distinct communities with cover crustose coralline algae less total algal abundance aggregation sites. Importantly, growth 1.5 greater hotspots, likely due subsidy. Our results suggest their subsidies mediating structure reefs overfishing may have negative consequences functions. As such, management strategies must consider mesopredatory addition current protection often offered herbivores top-tier predators. Furthermore, our restoration benefit focusing providing low topographic complexity or nursery raised corals existing hotspots.

Language: Английский

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Harnessing ecological processes to facilitate coral restoration

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 16(4), P. 239 - 247

Published: April 4, 2018

Incorporating ecological processes into restoration planning is increasingly recognized as a fundamental component of successful strategies. We outline scientific framework to advance the emerging field coral restoration. advocate for harnessing that drive community dynamics on reefs in way facilitates establishment and growth restored corals. Drawing decades reef ecology research lessons learned from other ecosystems, we posit practitioners can control factors such density, diversity, identity transplanted corals; site selection; transplant design restore positive feedback – or disrupt negative order improve success. Ultimately, argue should explicitly incorporate key natural exploit dynamic forces recovery ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Resource partitioning along multiple niche axes drives functional diversity in parrotfishes on Caribbean coral reefs

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 179(4), P. 1173 - 1185

Published: Aug. 5, 2015

Language: Английский

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Transcriptomic analysis of the red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea (Florideophyceae, Rhodophyta) and its microbiome

BMC Genomics, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Sept. 17, 2012

Abstract Background Seaweeds of the Laurencia genus have a broad geographic distribution and are largely recognized as important sources secondary metabolites, mainly halogenated compounds exhibiting diverse potential pharmacological activities relevant ecological role anti-epibiosis. Host-microbe interaction is driving force for co-evolution in marine environment, but molecular studies seaweed-associated microbial communities still rare. Despite large amount research describing chemical compositions species, genetic knowledge regarding this currently restricted to taxonomic markers general genome features. In work we analyze transcriptomic profile L . dendroidea J. Agardh, unveil genes involved on biosynthesis terpenoid seaweed explore interactions between host its associated microbiome. Results A total 6 transcriptomes were obtained from specimens L. sampled three different coastal locations Rio de Janeiro state. Functional annotations revealed predominantly basic cellular metabolic pathways. Bacteria was dominant active group microbiome , standing out nitrogen fixing Cyanobacteria aerobic heterotrophic Proteobacteria. The analysis relative contribution each domain highlighted bacterial features related glycolysis, lipid polysaccharide breakdown, also recognition surface establishment biofilm. Eukaryotic transcripts, other hand, with photosynthesis, synthesis carbohydrate reserves, defense mechanisms, including terpenoids through mevalonate-independent pathway. Conclusions This describes first red increasing about ESTs Florideophyceae algal class. Our data suggest an primary production holobiont consumers organic matter possibly source. Furthermore, expressed sequences terpene biosynthesis, complete pathway, which offers new possibilities biotechnological applications using metabolites

Language: Английский

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Long-Term Succession on Offshore Wind Farms and the Role of Species Interactions

Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(2), P. 288 - 288

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

The presence of biofouling communities in very large densities offshore wind farms (OWFs) generates broad effects on the structure and functioning marine ecosystem, yet mechanisms behind temporal development these remain poorly understood. Here, we use an 11-year series fauna from OWFs installed Belgian waters to determine succession patterns unravel role biological interactions shaping community development. Our analysis shows that interactions, besides age location, affect diversity OWFs. abundance foundation species, predators, space occupiers was significantly related richness and/or diversity. trends richness, diversity, composition suggest no permanent stable climax is reached after 11 years, which can be linked dynamic disturbance-prone environment fouling communities.

Language: Английский

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Mass mortality of diadematoid sea urchins in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(12), P. 2693 - 2701.e4

Published: May 23, 2024

Language: Английский

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