Benthic reef assemblages of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical South-west Atlantic: Effects of depth, wave exposure and cross-shelf positioning

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 14(1), P. e0210664 - e0210664

Published: Jan. 10, 2019

Oceanic islands can be relatively isolated from overfishing and pollution sources, but they are often extremely vulnerable to climate anthropogenic stress due their small size unique assemblages that may rely on a limited larval supply for replenishment. Vulnerability especially high when these bear permanent human populations or subjected regular intermittent fishing. Since the late 1970's, Brazil has been establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) around its four oceanic island groups, which concentrate endemism levels considered peripheral outposts of Brazilian Biogeographic Province. In 2018, legally area increased >10-fold, most ~1,000,000 km2 MPAs Brazil's still unknown unprotected. Here, we provide first detailed quantitative baseline benthic reef assemblages, including shallow mesophotic zones, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA). The archipelago is partially as no-take MPA recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site, also represents only with large population (3,000 people), mass tourism (up 90,000 people per year) small-scale fishing community. influence depth, wave exposure, distance shelf edge structure was assessed photoquadrats obtained in 12 sites distributed lee windward shores archipelago. Unique discriminating species were identified using Multivariate Regression Trees, environmental drivers dominant assemblages' components evaluated Boosted Trees. A total 128 taxa recorded 5 distinct identified. Distance insular slope, depth exposure main differentiation. Our results represent an important evaluating changes local global stressors.

Language: Английский

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Know Thy Anemone: A Review of Threats to Octocorals and Anemones and Opportunities for Their Restoration

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: July 22, 2020

In studies of habitat-forming species, those that are not spatially dominant often considered ‘non-primary’ habitat and may be overlooked. This is despite the fact minority formers can provide critical complexity, food, other services underpin ecosystem biodiversity. Octocorals anemones found in marine estuarine habitats across all climate zones. Despite their potentially important ecological roles, to date there have been few specific threats stressors or attempts at restoration. Here we review ecology octocorals with a focus on We identify many including damage, collection trade, disease, predation, pollution, most wide-spread – change. While evidence suggests some anemone populations more resilient disturbances than stony corals because they recruit grow quickly, resilience guaranteed. Instead, susceptibility within this large group likely site species specific. find loss has difficult quantify as no hard structures remain following mortality event. Only through long-term monitoring efforts researchers able document change these populations. Due increasing extent severity human impacts ecosystems, restoration forming becoming increasingly necessary after disturbance events. To illustrate challenges ahead for octocoral restoration, present two examples ongoing assessed against International Standards Practice Ecological Restoration. Restoration planning implementation progress documented Mediterranean red coral Corallium rubrum temperate Australian cauliflower soft coral, Dendronephthya australis. detailed case demonstrate while reef systems, greater research ecology, threats, potential urgently required.

Language: Английский

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Sea urchins (diadematids) promote coral recovery via recruitment on Taiwanese reefs

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 39(4), P. 1199 - 1207

Published: May 20, 2020

Language: Английский

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Fast-growing species shape the evolution of reef corals

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: May 3, 2022

Abstract Ecological interactions are ubiquitous on tropical coral reefs, where sessile organisms coexist in limited space. Within these high-diversity systems, reef-building scleractinian corals form an intricate interaction network. The role of biotic among reef is well established ecological timescales. However, its potential effect macroevolutionary patterns remains unclear. By analysing the rich fossil record Scleractinia, we show that biodiversity experienced marked evolutionary rate shifts last 3 million years, possibly driven by interactions. Our models suggest there was overwhelming staghorn (family Acroporidae) diversity trajectories other groups. Staghorn showed unparalleled spike diversification during Pleistocene. But surprisingly, their expansion linked with increases both extinction and speciation rates families, driving a nine-fold increase lineage turnover. These results reveal double-edged dependency evolution. Given fast growth, may have increased via competitive interactions, while promoting through as ecosystem engineers. This suggests recent widespread human-mediated reductions cover, be disrupting key processes modern ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Historical declines in parrotfish on Belizean coral reefs linked to shifts in reef exploitation following European colonization

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Oct. 4, 2022

Humans have utilized the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) for millennia but effects of prehistorical and historical fishing on this ecosystem remain understudied. To assess long-term coupling reef human dynamics in region, we tracked trends structure functioning lagoonal reefs within Belizean portion MAR using fish teeth fossils sediment accumulation rates cores. We then paired with a timeline demographic cultural changes region’s populations. The ∼1,300-year encompassed core record shows that declines relative abundance rate from parrotfish, key herbivore, occurred at all three sites began between ∼1500 1800 AD depending site metric abundance. A causality analysis showed parrotfish had positive causal effect accretion rates, proxy coral growth, reconfirming important role these functioning. timing initial during time relatively low population density Belize. However, were synchronous upheaval resulting European colonization New World. more recent (∼1800 AD) tandem increased subsistence by multiple immigrant groups, pattern was likely necessitated establishment an import economy controlled small group land-owning elites. These paleoecological reveal current abundances central Belize are well below their pre-European contact peaks pressure post-contact has caused decline rates. origins degradation hundreds years before onset modern combined local disturbances climate change.

Language: Английский

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