Benthic composition changes on coral reefs at global scales

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 71 - 81

Published: Jan. 9, 2023

Language: Английский

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A critical evaluation of benthic phase shift studies on coral reefs

Marine Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 178, P. 105667 - 105667

Published: May 25, 2022

Language: Английский

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On the Challenges of Identifying Benthic Dominance on Anthropocene Coral Reefs

BioScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 73(3), P. 220 - 228

Published: March 1, 2023

The concept of dominance is frequently used to describe changes in rapidly reconfiguring ecosystems, but the definition can vary widely among studies. Using coral reefs as a model, we use extensive benthic composition data explore how variability applying concepts shape perceptions. We reveal that sensitive exclusion key algal groups and categorization other groups, with ramifications for detecting an ecosystem phase shift. For example, ignoring turf inflates hard soft corals habitats underpinning reef ecosystems. need consensus on are applied so build more comprehensive understanding shifts across broad range aquatic terrestrial settings. reefs, highlight benefits inclusive surveys evaluating managing altered states emerging Anthropocene.

Language: Английский

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A functional perspective on the meaning of the term ‘herbivore’: patterns versus processes in coral reef fishes

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 43(2), P. 219 - 232

Published: April 3, 2023

Abstract Herbivorous fishes are a key functional group in coral reef ecosystems and have been the focus of vast body research. While substantial progress has made research, challenges persist, especially respect to quantifying patterns versus processes. Despite this challenge being recognised over 40 years ago. To help clarify such challenges, work towards solutions, perspective we explore how definition ‘herbivorous fishes’ precludes an easy translation between herbivore abundance process herbivory. Indeed, if herbivorous defined as, fish which diet is predominantly based on plant material , then encompasses diverse suite all remove primary producers varying extents markedly different impacts functioning. Given situation, our approaches directly herbivory reefs progressed. We highlight lessons learnt from macroalgal assays could be applied direct quantification algal turfs epilithic matrix (EAM); community that invariably difficult with quantify. Nevertheless, given reefs, their relative importance dynamics, widespread process-based assessment EAM represents avenue for expanding future Recognising difficulty translating herbivory, enhanced will necessary comprehensively quantify Anthropocene reefs.

Language: Английский

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Drivers of coastal benthic communities in a complex environmental setting

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 203, P. 116462 - 116462

Published: May 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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Turbidity shapes shallow Southwestern Atlantic benthic reef communities

Marine Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 183, P. 105807 - 105807

Published: Nov. 11, 2022

Language: Английский

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Diversification of refugia types needed to secure the future of coral reefs subject to climate change

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(1)

Published: May 5, 2023

Abstract Identifying locations of refugia from the thermal stresses climate change for coral reefs and better managing them is one key recommendations adaptation. We review summarize approximately 30 years applied research focused on identifying to prioritize conservation actions under rapid change. found that currently proposed predicted avoid future losses are highly reliant excess heat metrics, such as degree heating weeks. However, many existing alternative environmental, ecological, life‐history variables could be used identify other types lead desired diversified portfolio reef conservation. To improve priorities reefs, there a need evaluate validate predictions with long‐term field data abundance, diversity, functioning. There also safeguard displaying resistance toprolonged exposure waves ability recover quickly after exposure. recommend using more metrics potential sites can avoid, resist, high ocean temperatures consequences change, thereby shifting past efforts avoidance risk‐spreading strategic in rapidly warming climate.

Language: Английский

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The Octocoral Trait Database: a global database of trait information for octocoral species

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

Abstract Trait-based approaches are revolutionizing our understanding of high-diversity ecosystems by providing insights into the principles underlying key ecological processes, such as community assembly, species distribution, resilience, and relationship between biodiversity ecosystem functioning. In 2016, Coral Trait Database advanced coral reef science centralizing trait information for stony corals (i.e., Subphylum Anthozoa, Class Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia). However, absence data soft corals, gorgonians, sea pens Octocorallia) limits where these organisms significant members play pivotal roles. To address this gap, we introduce Octocoral Database, a global, open-source database curated octocorals. This houses species- individual-level data, complemented contextual that provides relevant framework analyses. The inaugural dataset, OctocoralTraits v2.2, contains over 97,500 global observations across 98 traits 3,500 species. aims to evolve steadily growing, community-led resource advances future marine science, with particular emphasis on research.

Language: Английский

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Benthic algal community dynamics on Palmyra Atoll throughout a decade with two thermal anomalies

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

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Coral reef algae serve many important ecological functions, from primary production to nutrient uptake and stabilization, but our knowledge of longer-term effects thermal stress on in situ is limited. While ocean warming can facilitate proliferation potential phase shifts coral macroalgal-dominated states, algal responses may vary by species, genus, functional group, or type (e.g., calcareous vs. fleshy). We used 11 years annual monitoring data (2009-2019) that spans two El Niño-associated heatwaves examine benthic community dynamics Palmyra Atoll the central Pacific Ocean. quantified percent cover taxa via image analysis permanent photoquadrats habitats Palmyra: deeper, wave-exposed fore (10 m depth) shallower, wave-sheltered terrace (5 depth). Each habitat was characterized distinct communities: predominantly fleshy terrace. Patterns abundance fluctuated over time and/or response anomalies 2009 2015. Fleshy generally increased post-warming, which coincided with large declines calcified macroalgae, Halimeda spp. Long-term communities critical for understanding their differential improve projections ecosystem functioning context global change.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying spatial gradients in coral reef benthic communities using multivariate dispersion

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Tropical coral reefs are dynamic, disturbance-driven ecosystems that heterogeneous across space and time, partly owing to gradients in cross-scale human impacts natural environmental factors. Localized management interventions strive maintain the long-term persistence function of need be informed by how why reef habitats vary. Using ‘multivariate dispersion’ metric, a statistical approach measure ecological community variability, we quantified spatial benthic communities around Tutuila Island American Samoa, central South Pacific. Benthic with low, medium high dispersion each had distinct consistent underlying characteristics. Low sites were consistently characterized hard cover, generally dominated crustose coralline algae, while turf fleshy algae. Variability algal cover explained 42% variation sites, site-level factors did not correlate well variations dispersion. The metric should further tested on temporal data determine whether it can summarize complex changes response following acute disturbance.

Language: Английский

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