Defining multi-scale surface roughness of a coral reef using a high-resolution LiDAR digital elevation model

Geomorphology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 439, P. 108852 - 108852

Published: July 26, 2023

A decline in coral reef surface roughness may indicate that a ecosystem is approaching functional collapse. This because underpins many critical metrics, such as, live cover and high fish biomass. Yet, we understand very little about how changes at scales due to the limited spatial extents of ecological surveys. Here, investigate across multiple on high-resolution Light Detection Ranging (LiDAR) derived digital elevation model (DEM, 0.25 m cells). We found complex features dominated regions with (e.g., spur groove systems slope) increased average geomorphic zones are otherwise flat featureless lagoonal patch reefs sandy deep lagoon). Each zone had unique signature values usually expressed over finer and, conversely, lower observed broader scales. allocated each into one four equivalent habitats (REHs 1–4) share similar properties but not necessarily geographically contiguous regions. These results identify fine scale important for providing systems, as fore-reef slope respectively. They also suggest morphodynamic processes operating influence physical structure ecosystems. The quantification becoming increasingly wider availability (<1 m) hyper (<0.1 resolution DEMs. Our approach findings here can be used provide greater textural information common aid future management research efforts, monitoring response environmental change restoration adaptation programs.

Language: Английский

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Remotely sensed habitat diversity predicts species diversity on coral reefs

Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 302, P. 113990 - 113990

Published: Jan. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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Intra-habitat structural complexity drives the distribution of fish trait groups on coral reefs

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 142, P. 109266 - 109266

Published: Aug. 11, 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) habitat complexity is a primary driver of organism distribution and community structure across ecosystems. Identifying the specific metrics spatial scales at which functionally important for communities therefore critical component in forecasting ecosystem function. Here we pair fish species traits with multiple from photogrammetry to evaluate most measures 3D driving ecological functions within one structurally diverse ecosystems on planet: coral reefs. From May July 2019, collected high-resolution (1 cm) large- small-scale intra-habitat (25 m2) structural data eight reefscapes (∼2500 conducted co-located functional group surveys Florida Keys, FL, USA. We used hierarchical clustering analysis 80 observed by four related use (social level, body size, crypsis, activity period) feeding guild generate mechanistic predictions about fish-habitat relationships. Evaluating relationships between resulting trait-based groups (k = 9) (large-scale vertical relief, vector ruggedness [VRM], VRM deviation, profile curvature) revealed that trait respond independently various reef complexity. While large-scale (relief) strongly presence solitary, cryptic, nocturnal carnivores, likely due prey availability as well day-time refuge opportunities, herbivore abundance unaffected increasing potentially predator avoidance. Instead, gregarious (i.e., schooling) herbivores increase measured deviation reefscapes, while less only when these same occur low-relief habitat, possibly tradeoff grazing resource visibility. Our results reveal how unique elements provided both biotic benthic features like relief are differentially groups. The general identified using provide framework predicting responses changes reefs globally. work illustrates preserving protecting or augmenting (e.g., via restoration) structure-forming organisms can support organismal overall productivity.

Language: Английский

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Main typologies of marine fish communities

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 295 - 322

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Benthic drivers of structural complexity in coral reefs across a tropical-subtropical transition zone

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

This study examines changes in structural complexity of coral reefs a tropical-subtropical transition zone and identifies the benthic factors influencing their patterns. Structure-from-motion photogrammetry was used to create digital elevation models (DEMs) generate orthomosaic images for 25 sites distributed across five reef regions along east coast Taiwan. A selection 11 metrics capture overall variations while composition described. It found that fine-scale decreases with increasing latitude as dominance intricate morphologies is replaced by plain zoanthids crustose coralline algae. Coarse-scale complexity, on other hand, increases subtropical large boulders unstable substrates, reflecting unique topographic features lower cover accretion. Latitudinal variation mostly driven turnover composition. These alter available habitats could ultimately affect biodiversity functionality systems. Understanding transitional patterns particularly important ocean warming may lead reorganization existing communities zones.

Language: Английский

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Contrast in the density and biomass of fish in a reef system with different fishing intensity in the Mexican Caribbean

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e19031 - e19031

Published: April 4, 2025

A wide range of fish species are caught in reef fisheries. However, fishing efforts tend to be highly selective favor large species, which generally have low population growth rates, making them more vulnerable overfishing. When the decline predators occurs, start focus on catching from lower trophic levels, can cause a cascade effect. The objective this research was detect changes density and biomass communities areas with different intensity study area. This carried out Banco Chinchorro Biosphere (BCBR) Mexican Caribbean analyze effect biomass, comparing data obtained visual censuses dependent information fishery. Evidence found relationship between high exploitation levels for Epinephelus striatus, E. guttatus Lachnolaimus maximus . had no evident non-commercially important species. commercially were influenced by presence algae, octocorals, hydrocorals variations their catch per unit effort (CPUE). detected that decreased some belonging Serranidae Lutjanidae families intensity. On other hand, little evidence total noncommercially increased through predators. These results consistent previous work documenting how activity affects levels. generated will help Reserve’s managers make decisions towards better management conservation fishery resources.

Language: Английский

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Benthic structuring of the mesophotic coral ecosystem on the Benham Bank seamount in the Philippines

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 9, 2025

Language: Английский

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Structural complexity of hard substrates shapes shallow marine benthic communities

Oikos, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 21, 2025

Structurally complex habitats offer niche diversity, with varying biotic and abiotic conditions, generally leading to higher biodiversity compared simpler habitats. However, our understanding of the response ecological communities increased complexity underlying drivers remain ambiguous due discrepancies in how is measured across ecosystems, warranting further experimental testing. Here, we used 3D‐printed reef structures assess structural affects recruitment a shallow coastal ecosystem highly standardised manner. We deployed fractal‐like (self‐similar) pyramid‐shaped three levels standardized on sandy intertidal subtidal sandflats, keeping material, shape, external dimensions consistent levels. More had surface area within same totalvolume more empty space. examined effects taxonomic abundances, densities, spatial patterning five taxa: barnacles, mussels, tunicates, anemones, algae. Increased resulted richness zone but not subtidal. Taxonomic accumulation curves indicated within‐sample heterogeneity diversity substrates. The abundances (total n per structure) densities (n cm 2 ) varied by taxon tidal zone, suggesting life‐strategies shape these responses. Mussels benefited from regardless elevation, which hypothesise reduced predation. Other taxa structures. Only mainly found middle outer parts structures, showed clear could potentially be driven tradeoff between feeding efficiency predation risk. Our findings demonstrate shapes composition epibenthic ecosystems. argue that applying restoration efforts enhance structurally ecosystems such as reefs, mangroves streams.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of “Reef Star” coral restoration on multiple metrics of habitat complexity

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 16, 2024

Coral reefs face threats from climate change and local pressures that lead to reductions in their physical structure, impacting biodiversity by limiting habitat availability. Despite many efforts actively restore damaged reefs, few projects provide thorough evaluations of success. This study measured the success “Reef Star” method at Mars Reef Restoration Project Indonesia reestablishing structure reef habitats were destroyed blast fishing. We used photogrammetry surveys measure 17 large sites (1000 m 2 each), calculating three complementary measures small‐ large‐scale complexity across degraded, restored, naturally healthy coral reefs. demonstrate restoration have successfully restored small‐scale complexity, as described surface metrics (3.22 ± 0.27 on reefs; 2.85 0.26 reefs) fractal dimension (2.27 0.02 2.24 reefs). demonstrates capacity for recover important ecosystem functions are lost degradation. However, while has delivered some increases compared degraded still exhibit lower values maximum vertical relief than due a lack structures. available might impact fish populations, meaning with limited may only support restricted range functions. Effective strategies must use mixture different methods target recovery structural multiple scales.

Language: Английский

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Geological age and environments shape reef habitat structure

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(7), P. 1230 - 1240

Published: April 22, 2023

Abstract Aim Habitat complexity plays an important role in the structure and function of ecosystems worldwide. On coral reefs, habitat influences ecosystem services such as harvestable fish biomass attenuation wave energy. Here, we test how three descriptors surface complexity—rugosity, fractal dimension, height range—trend with geological age reefs (0.2–5.1 million years old), depth (1–25 m), exposure (1–306 kW/m), cover (0–80%), types (aggregated reef, rock boulder, pavement). Location We surveyed across 234 sites 4 degrees latitude eight main Hawaiian Islands. Time Period April 2019 – July 2019. Major Taxa Studied Reef building corals. Methods estimate (rugosity, dimension range) using structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry. evaluate hypothesized relationships between these reef age, depth, exposure, type generalized linear models that account for survey design. Results The rugosity habitats decreased age; (and cover) exposure; range depth. Variations patterns were explained by different way they are formed over time. Nonetheless, geometrically constrained all types, so occupied distinctly regions space. Main Conclusions This study showed broad environmental characteristics influence structural habitats, therefore geodiversity, which is first step toward understanding communities supported their services.

Language: Английский

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