Corals survive severe bleaching event in refuges related to taxa, colony size, and water depth

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: April 18, 2024

Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and duration, threatening tropical reef ecosystems through intensified coral bleaching events. We examined a strikingly variable spatial pattern of Moorea, French Polynesia following heatwave that lasted from November 2018 to July 2019. In 2019, four months after the onset bleaching, we surveyed > 5000 individual colonies two dominant genera, Pocillopora Acropora, at 10 m 17 water depths, six forereef sites around island where temperature was measured. found severe increased with colony size for both but Acropora bleached more severely than overall. m, likely due higher light availability compared or greater daily fluctuation depth. Bleaching corals did not differ depth instead varied interaction Accumulated Heat Stress (AHS), larger (> 30 cm) were sensitive AHS mid-size (10-29 small (5-9 cm). Our findings provide insight into complex interactions among taxa, size, produce high variation related mortality.

Language: Английский

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Effect of climate change on marine ecosystems

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 115 - 176

Published: Jan. 1, 2021

Language: Английский

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Chronic low-level nutrient enrichment benefits coral thermal performance in a fore reef habitat

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 40(5), P. 1637 - 1655

Published: June 29, 2021

Language: Английский

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Macroalgae reveal nitrogen enrichment and elevated N:P ratios on the Belize Barrier Reef

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 171, P. 112686 - 112686

Published: July 13, 2021

Language: Английский

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Differential resistance and acclimation of two coral species to chronic nutrient enrichment reflect life‐history traits

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 35(5), P. 1081 - 1093

Published: Feb. 27, 2021

Abstract The effects of nutrient pollution on coral reef ecosystems are multifaceted. Numerous experiments have sought to identify the physiological enrichment reef‐building corals, but results been variable and sensitive choices quantity, chemical composition exposure duration. To test chronic, ecologically relevant growth photophysiology, we conducted a 5‐week continuous dosing experiment two Hawaiian species, Porites compressa Pocillopora acuta . We acclimated fragments five concentrations (0.1–7 µM 0.06–2.24 ) with constant stoichiometry 2.5:1 nitrate phosphate) bracketing in situ observations from reefs throughout Pacific. Nutrient linearly increased photophysiological performance both species within 3 weeks. effect nutrients P. photochemical efficiency through time while consistent response indicated acclimation elevated 5 Endosymbiont densities total chlorophyll also proportionally , not revealing contrasting patterns host–symbiont acclimatization. exhibited skeletal growth. Calcification was enhanced at low (1 comparable control higher concentrations, whereas calcification reduced (30%–35%) above Stable isotope analysis revealed species‐specific nitrogen uptake dynamics coral–algal symbiosis. endosymbionts (decreased δ 15 N) incorporation (19%–31% decrease C:N ratios) across treatments. In contrast, maintained N values levels (9%–11% ratios). inability regulate endosymbiont may indicate an emerging destabilization symbiosis under that could compromise resistance additional environmental stressors. Our highlight differences symbiosis, which influence responses chronic enrichment. These findings showcase how symbioses can vary among closely related taxa underscore importance considering life‐history traits modify change. A free Plain Language Summary be found Supporting Information this article.

Language: Английский

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