Social–environmental drivers inform strategic management of coral reefs in the Anthropocene

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 3(9), P. 1341 - 1350

Published: Aug. 12, 2019

Language: Английский

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Changing geo‐ecological functions of coral reefs in the Anthropocene

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 33(6), P. 976 - 988

Published: Nov. 23, 2018

Abstract The ecology of many coral reefs has changed markedly over recent decades in response to various combinations local and global stressors. These ecological changes have important implications for the abundance taxa that regulate production erosion skeletal carbonates, thus geo‐ecological functions provide, including reef framework sediment generation, maintenance habitat complexity growth potential. functional attributes underpin ecosystem goods services provide society. Rapidly changing conditions Anthropocene are likely significantly impact capacity sustain these functions. Although footprint disturbance will be expressed differently across ecoregions habitats, end point may broadly similar: (a) progressively shifting towards net neutral or negative carbonate budget states; (b) becoming structurally flatter; (c) having lower vertical rates. It is also a progressive depth‐homogenisation occur terms processes. defined by an increasing disconnect between processes drive on surface, geological outcome production, is, accumulation underlying structure. Reef structures become increasingly relict senescent features, which reduce generation rates, limit potential accrete vertically at rates can track rising sea levels. In absence pervasive stressors, recovery degraded communities been observed, resulting high net‐positive budgets being regained. However, frequency intensity climate‐driven bleaching events predicted increase next decades. This would spatial disturbances exacerbate magnitude described here, limiting maintain their enforcement effective marine protection benefits geographic isolation favourable environmental (“refugia” sites) offer hope more optimistic futures some locations. A >plain language summary available this article.

Language: Английский

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Mechanisms and Impacts of Earth System Tipping Elements

Reviews of Geophysics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 61(1)

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Abstract Tipping elements are components of the Earth system which may respond nonlinearly to anthropogenic climate change by transitioning toward substantially different long‐term states upon passing key thresholds or “tipping points.” In some cases, such changes could produce additional greenhouse gas emissions radiative forcing that compound global warming. Improved understanding tipping is important for predicting future risks and their impacts. Here we review mechanisms, predictions, impacts, knowledge gaps associated with 10 notable proposed be elements. We evaluate approaching critical whether shifts manifest rapidly over longer timescales. Some have a higher risk crossing points under middle‐of‐the‐road pathways will possibly affect major ecosystems, patterns, and/or carbon cycling within 21st century. However, literature assessing scenarios indicates strong potential reduce impacts many through mitigation. The studies synthesized in our suggest most do not possess abrupt years, exhibit behavior, rather responding more predictably directly magnitude forcing. Nevertheless, uncertainties remain elements, highlighting an acute need further research modeling better constrain risks.

Language: Английский

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Leveraging built marine structures to benefit and minimize impacts on natural habitats

BioScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 75(2), P. 172 - 183

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Many natural marine habitats are decreasing in extent despite global conservation and restoration efforts. In contrast, built structures, such as hardened shorelines, offshore energy aquaculture infrastructure, artificial reefs, increasing extent—and, some locations, represent over 80% of nearshore, structured habitat. When introduced into the seascape, structures inevitably interact with habitats, but these not typically designed to support systems. This approach often results overall harm systems, further impeding goals. However, there is growing recognition within ocean management engineering community that can be strategically minimize their negative impacts potentially ecosystems associated biota. We synthesize best available science provide bright spot examples how leveraging mimic or facilitate help recover biodiversity, augment ecosystem services, rehabilitate degraded providing positive outcomes for people nature a changing climate. Despite spots, we caution have environmental consequences should used lieu conventional habitat justify destruction habitats.

Language: Английский

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The unprecedented loss of Florida's reef‐building corals and the emergence of a novel coral‐reef assemblage

Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 100(9)

Published: June 6, 2019

Over the last half century, climate change, coral disease, and other anthropogenic disturbances have restructured coral-reef ecosystems on a global scale. The disproportionate loss of once-dominant, reef-building taxa has facilitated relative increases in abundance "weedy" or stress-tolerant species. Although recent transformation assemblages is unprecedented ecological timescales, determining whether modern reefs truly reached novel ecosystem state requires evaluating dynamics reef composition over much longer periods time. Here, we provide geologic perspective shifting Florida's by reconstructing millennial-scale spatial temporal variability using 59 Holocene cores collected throughout Florida Keys Reef Tract (FKRT). We then compare abundances species framework to data from contemporary surveys determine how diverged long-term baselines. show that was, until recently, remarkably stable 8000 yr. same corals dominated shallow-water western Atlantic for hundreds thousands years, Acropora palmata, Orbicella spp., massive taxa, accounted nearly 90% framework. In contrast, now highest FKRT, primarily Porites astreoides Siderastrea siderea, were rare framework, suggesting shifts are millennial timescales. it may not be possible return pre-Anthropocene states, our results suggest management focused conservation restoration past, will optimize efforts preserve reefs, valuable services they into future.

Language: Английский

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Beyond the “Deep Reef Refuge” Hypothesis: A Conceptual Framework to Characterize Persistence at Depth

Coral reefs of the world, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 881 - 895

Published: Jan. 1, 2019

Language: Английский

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Heat Waves Are a Major Threat to Turbid Coral Reefs in Brazil

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

Published: March 30, 2020

Coral reefs are threatened by climate change on a global scale with thermal-stress events and mass coral bleaching being widely reported. The off the east coast of Brazil (and other turbid areas) have, however, historically escaped such events, relatively low levels background mortality (5-10%). This has recently changed. Here we show that, in 2019, degree heating weeks (DHW) 19.65 coincided catastrophic declines cover, especially major reef building hydrocoral Millepora alcicornis. decline was due to associated exposure high temperature stress culminating DHW values exceeding 15 for period 50 days. At two independent sites, surveys showed upwards 83.5  9.0% 89.1 3.9% mortality, at third site lower (albeit still high), rates 43.3 12.0% were recorded. die-off 2019 is unprecedented South Atlantic coincides increased events.

Language: Английский

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Mitigating the ecological collapse of coral reef ecosystems

EMBO Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 24(4)

Published: March 2, 2023

Science & Society2 March 2023Open Access Transparent process Mitigating the ecological collapse of coral reef ecosystems Effective strategies to preserve Christian R Voolstra Corresponding Author [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0003-4555-3795 Department Biology, University Konstanz, Germany Contribution: Conceptualization, Writing - original draft, review editing Search for more papers by this author Raquel S Peixoto orcid.org/0000-0002-9536-3132 Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia Christine Ferrier-Pagès orcid.org/0000-0002-0357-4486 Coral Ecophysiology Team, Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco Information *,1, *,2 *,3 1Department 2Red 3Coral *Corresponding author. E-mail: EMBO Reports (2023)24:e56826https://doi.org/10.15252/embr.202356826 PDFDownload PDF article text main figures. Peer ReviewDownload a summary editorial decision including letters, reviewer comments responses feedback. ToolsAdd favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyWechatReddit Figures Info are biodiversity hotspots that provide habitat about third all marine species (Fisher et al, 2015)—which is why colloquially they referred as "rainforests sea". In addition their immense importance, reefs offer wealth ecosystem services millions people, provision food commercial fisheries, tourism, sand production, carbon sequestration, coastal protection from storms (Eddy 2021). The crucial organisms establish expand corals, sessile animals build impressive three-dimensional structures through calcium carbonate skeletons, rivaling busy cityscapes. … holobionts fragile threatened local global stressors point where very existence globally now at stake. But corals cannot achieve these constructions alone. Rather, have rely on multitude little helpers. fact, so-called or metaorganisms encompass myriad associated symbiotic microorganisms, collectively microbiome includes archaea, bacteria, fungi, viruses, microeukaryotes, most importantly, Symbiodiniaceae (LaJeunesse 2018; These dinoflagellate photosynthetic microalgae live inside cells them with energy construct skeletons. Despite massive lasting create, stake (Allen 2018). Climate change, owing increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused human activities, greatest threat reefs. GHG change conditions in several ways, ocean warming, acidification, an increased frequency intensity tropical heatwaves Frölicher While can locally devastate seawater acidification reduces calcification rates taxa thus skeletal growth (Mollica 2018), warmer waters pose significant (Kleypas 2021; Knowlton Extended periods high temperature cause heat stress, which triggers breakdown symbiosis between Symbiodiniaceae, phenomenon known bleaching (Suggett Smith, 2020). Mass has been over past decade(s) 30% decline population (Eakin 2022). Recent estimations predict that, if warming exceeds 1.5°C, 70–90% risk be lost, 99% will lost 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures (Hoegh-Guldberg actions save connected each other 'and' not 'or'. effects climate amplified stressors, such pollution, sedimentation, eutrophication, land clearing fertilizer use (Wiedenmann 2012). latter causes overgrowth macroalgae bioerosion algal skeletons endolithic algae. It affects microbiome, instance, abundance pathogens (Leite Taken together, driven 2022) along reduce important reef-forming taxa, decrease accretion dissolution sediments (Eyre further weaken stress resilience (Donovan 2021) (Fig 1). Figure 1.(A) A healthy moderate level bleaching. bleached colonies appear white recover stressful subside. (B) degraded dead remaining skeleton overgrown Some visible lower middle. Download figure PowerPoint CO2 emission mitigation pre-requisite follows must protected order 2). International Reef Society (ICRS) proposed three equally pillars saving restoring (Knowlton first one mitigating threats. Importantly, options premise we becoming neutral due time; words, "and" "or" 2.Global pressures led loss cover (left). (right): (A) emissions; mitigate (e.g., managing fish stocks improving water quality); (C) active restoration/rehabilitation. note without reducing curb below eventually neutral, still lose majority (C, right-hand side). interventions occur large areas effective should reinforced socio-economic incentives regulatory measures. necessary limit mean increase threshold trajectory become permanently Staying allow us protect resilient restore damaged Other sea surface (SST), pumping deep cool into modifying solar radiation—through shading, albedo enhancement, stratospheric aerosol injection, so on—represent geoengineering approaches offset impacts (National Academies Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, 2019). expensive best considered only small scale exhibit thermal deserve special protection, because communities evolved natural higher tolerance… Saving conservation Failure address undermine attempts threats, second pillar ICRS's guideline synergistically interact affect Although some under than 1.5°C present but slow, model estimates indicate combination reduced improved conditions, quality, maintain positive budget, is, (Kennedy 2013). Improving requires variety directly indirectly health recovery, reduction overfishing establishment complete partial (MPAs) and/or management zones watersheds nutrient loading river runoff (Mellin 2016). There Caribbean, Australia, Kenya, demonstrate impact recovery However, also adapted particular threats location (Voolstra For example, Gulf Aqaba (GoA) northern coined refuge SST rise withstand up +6°C maximum summer ex situ no mass observed (Osman Yet, immune other, are, indeed, affected antiscalants desalination plants, light pollution. Long-term monitoring national programs, science-guided management, engagement policymakers, well support communities, essential identify appropriate manage conditions. restoration rehabilitation anthropogenic being addressed, put forward ICRS, 2021), development implementation Given pace severity current impacts, efforts mandatory step while achieving neutrality Such customized target different entities holobiont, symbionts, prokaryotic community, microeukaryotes 2019; combine (van Oppen 2015; Boström-Einarsson 2020; Santoro Different levels degradation require (Peixoto Fig 3). considering stage ongoing widespread modern necessarily need integrate prevention concepts succeed, two terms therefore used interchangeably (Box 1) 3.Examples restore/rehabilitate loss. Restoration refers processes help ecosystems; improve adaptive capacity resilience. Many go hand-in-hand many entail component often interchangeably. Box 1. versus rehabilitation. definition "restoration" "Society Ecological Restoration" "the assisting degraded, damaged, destroyed". goals include re-establishment pre-existing composition community structure, environmental faced results future harboring compositions This recognized UNEP's guide restoration, term "coral restoration" describe measures "aim assist function, key face rising pressures, promoting sustainable delivery services". By comparison, "rehabilitation" centered notion "future-proof" reefs, it sufficient merely composition, enhance interventions, probiotic provision, hardening, similar measures, promote extend adaptation, Thus, throughout document consistency, accurately understood form At scale, counter particularly physically storms, disease outbreaks, bleaching, activities. useful option regrowth recruitment limited disturbances reduced. commonly methods involve removal predators reintroduction control macroalgal overgrowth, transplantation fragments intervening nursery phase (Boström-Einarsson One difference sexually asexually propagated addresses genetic diversity deployment artificial aggregation, substrate manipulations, release larvae after intermediate rearing selected measure(s) informed specific engage communities. tolerance, constituting "super reefs" (https://superreefs.whoi.edu), "priority (https://www.50reefs.org), "bright spots" (Cinner consideration potential constitute oases" (Guest turbid near mangroves, latitude upwelling areas, nutrient-rich sheltered waves. extent transferred debatable, particular, reside marginal environments featuring unique adjustments either when transplanted common environments. Consequently, long-term buffering against multiple rarely found. GoA corals—and "bleaching resistant" reefs—that exceptionally (Savary may exposed (local) pollution large, our understanding what underlies various costs trade-offs (Cornwell reintroducing enhancing biomass management/prevention adapt changes. laboratory experiments shown feeding planktonic prey significantly increases resistance (Grottoli 2006). observations found correlation patterns availability populations around world, suggesting phyto- zooplankton concentrations better able disturbance. heterotrophic diet provides macronutrients metals sustain photosynthesis enhances translocation symbionts host (Ferrier-Pagès Increasing nutritional quality plankton provided corals—by manipulating content fatty acids, metals, antioxidant compounds—might strategy health. knowledge, studies attempted alter during waves, partially broad measure biota unknown consequences. total, US National Science, Medicine lists 23 types assisted gene flow (AGF), evolution, colonization, cryopreservation, manipulation AGF aim genotypes within existing optimally suited (Humanes 2022), fitness distant introducing respective alleles populations. Corals survived waves those Persian/Arabian (PAG), highest world occur, good candidates exploring mechanisms means AGF. PAG heat-specialized endosymbiont, Cladocopium thermophilum (Hume 2016), expression heat-responsive genes. Assisted colonization stress-resistant variants AGF, although factors considered, coming back above-mentioned trade-offs. As such, material reproduced generate novel allele combinations convey harbor compatibility prevailing More sophisticated breeding genetically-modified organisms, new traits do exist created resilience… Nurseries accelerate out-planting produced crosses. cryopreserved sperm produce offspring, especially endangered (Hagedorn 2017). biggest challenges scaling smaller, laboratory-sized high-throughput reproduction. genetically modified 2015). To end, available, repeated exposure transgenerational acclimation epigenetic mechanisms, controversy remains (Torda Another approach discussed induction mutagenesis resistant strains, fidelity host–symbiont associations needs addressed Howells work (Buerger restructuring microeukaryotic probiotics (Ziegler 2017; 2019, Zhang exact underlying unclear, seem pathogen toxic compound among others. Continuous insult effectively alters beneficial pathogenic assemblage well-being. rather biomass, could focus extant Microbiome-based customizable applied preventive remediation 2017) holobiont (Zhang (Rosado 2019), oil (Silva thermally prevent mortality (Santoro challenge evaluate efficiency stewardship develop ways applications Securing "Modern" existed ~ 250 million years highly adaptable. study conducted Oculina patagonica showed severe losing tissues remain alive (Fine Tchernov, 2007); never really disappear, even do. long there hope cost effort perspective, enough repopulate once reached stabilized. pristine longer exist, pressure: tolerant recent repeat events, evidence certain clearly likely survive survival comes expense biodiversity, same past. emphases placed securing functions services. Under constraint, recognize ability consider prioritizing chance promotes regeneration through, larval dispersal. local, regional, scales propagation evolutionary (Colton achieved coordinated action science, policy, stakeholders Kleypas strategies, policies, outlined places, depending financial resources, socioeconomic circumstances. We triad emissions, undertaking restoration/rehabilitation, closing window opportunity secure ecosystems—for generations. Acknowledgement Open funding enabled organized Projekt DEAL. contributions Voolstra: Conceptualization; writing—original draft; writing—review editing. Peixoto: Ferrier-Pagès: Disclosure competing interests statement authors declare conflict interest. Supporting References Allen MR, Dube OP, Solecki W, Aragon-Durand F, Cramer Humphreys S, Zickfeld K (2018) Framing Context "in Global Warming 1.5°C: An IPCC Special Report related pathways, context strengthening response development, eradicate poverty.Google Scholar L, Babcock RC, Bayraktarov E, Ceccarelli D, Cook N, Ferse SCA, Hancock B, Harrison P, Hein M, Shaver E al (2020) systematic methods, successes, failures directions. PLoS 15: e0226631CrossrefCASPubMedWeb Science®Google Buerger Alvarez-Roa C, Coppin CW, Pearce SL, Chakravarti LJ, Oakeshott JG, Edwards OR, Van MJH Heat-evolved microalgal tolerance. Sci Adv 6: eaba2498CrossrefCASPubMedWeb Cinner JE, Huchery MacNeil MA, Graham NA, McClanahan TR, Maina J, Maire Kittinger JN, Hicks CC, Mora C (2016) Bright spots world's Nature 535: 416–419CrossrefCASPubMedWeb Colton McManus LC, Schindler DE, Mumby PJ, Palumbi SR, Webster MM, Essington TE, Fox HE, Forrest DL, Schill SR (2022) harness adaptation. Ecol Evol 1405–1407CrossrefPubMedWeb Cornwell Armstrong K, Walker NS, Lippert Nestor V, Golbuu Y, (2021) Widespread variation tolerance symbiont load tradeoffs Acropora hyacinthus Palau. eLife 10: e64790CrossrefCASPubMedGoogle Donovan MK, Burkepile Kratochwill Shlesinger T, Sully Oliver TA, Hodgson G, Freiwald van Woesik Local magnify heatwaves. 372: 977–980CrossrefCASPubMedWeb Eakin CM, Devotta Heron Connolly Liu Geiger Cour JDL, Gomez A, Skirving Baird 2014–17 event: destruction. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1555992/v1CrossrefGoogle Hoegh-Guldberg O, Kennedy EV, Beyer H, McClennen Possingham HP Trends 33: 936–944CrossrefPubMedWeb Allemand Anthony Baker AC, Beck MW, Hale LZ, Hilmi Hughes Kaufman L Designing blueprint survival. Biol Conserv 257: 109107CrossrefWeb Corcoran Felis Goeij Grottoli Harding Mayfield Miller Obura D Rebuilding reefs: decadal grand challenge. Bremen: Future Earth Coasts, 56 ppCrossrefGoogle LaJeunesse TC, Parkinson Gabrielson PW, Jeong HJ, Reimer JD, CR, Santos Systematic revision highlights antiquity endosymbionts. Curr 28: 2570–2580.e6CrossrefCASPubMedWeb (2019) research increa

Language: Английский

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A 3,000‐year lag between the geological and ecological shutdown of Florida's coral reefs

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 24(11), P. 5471 - 5483

Published: Aug. 21, 2018

Abstract The global‐scale degradation of coral reefs has reached a critical threshold wherein further declines threaten both ecological functionality and the persistence reef structure. Geological records can provide valuable insights into long‐term controls on development that may be key to solving modern coral‐reef crisis. Our analyses new existing cores from throughout Florida Keys tract (FKRT) revealed significant spatial temporal variability in during Holocene. Whereas maximum Holocene thickness Dry Tortugas was comparable elsewhere western Atlantic, most Florida's had relatively thin accumulations framework. During periods active development, average accretion rates were similar FKRT at ~3 m/ky. instead driven by differences duration development. Reef declined significantly ~6,000 years ago present, ~3,000 ago, majority geologically senescent. Although sea level influenced reefs, it not ultimate driver demise. Instead, we demonstrate timing senescence modulated subregional hydrographic variability, hypothesize climatic cooling cause shutdown. left ecosystem balanced delicate tipping point which veneer living only barrier erosion. Modern climate change other anthropogenic disturbances have now pushed many past novel state, structures built over millennia could soon lost. dominant role timescales decades highlights potential vulnerability geological processes change.

Language: Английский

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Coral community resilience to successive years of bleaching in Kāne‘ohe Bay, Hawai‘i

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 39(3), P. 757 - 769

Published: May 13, 2020

Language: Английский

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