A seascape dichotomy in the role of small consumers for coral reef energy fluxes DOI
Simon J. Brandl, Helen F. Yan, Jordan M. Casey

et al.

Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 106(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract Biogeochemical fluxes through ecological communities underpin the functioning of ecosystems worldwide. These are often heavily influenced by small‐bodied consumers, such as insects, worms, mollusks, or small vertebrates, which transfer energy and nutrients from autotrophic sources to larger animals. Although coral reefs one most productive in world, we know relatively little about how consumers make available predators their roles may vary across reefs. Here, use community‐scale collections small, bottom‐dwelling (“cryptobenthic”) reef fishes along with size spectrum analyses, stable isotopes, demographic modeling examine role harnessing transferring carbon two distinct habitats. Using a comprehensive dataset Mo'orea (French Polynesia), demonstrate that, despite only being separated narrow crest, forereef backreef habitats harbor cryptobenthic that play vastly divergent transfer. Forereef depauperate, largely consisting predatory planktivorous species have comparatively high standing biomass (both individually collectively). In these communities, combination spectra isotope values suggests important contributions pelagic subsidies, but rate production turnover (i.e., at is replenished) low. contrast, fish characterized abundances smallest bodied species, forming traditional bottom‐heavy trophic pyramid fueled benthic autotrophs. productivity fuels rapid biomass, while channels notably less productive. Our integrative approach demonstrates utility combining multiple methods (e.g., isotopically informed models) trace consumer complex ecosystems. Furthermore, our results highlight dynamics highly habitat‐dependent be pronounced shallow systems limited connectivity open ocean.

Language: Английский

A seascape dichotomy in the role of small consumers for coral reef energy fluxes DOI
Simon J. Brandl, Helen F. Yan, Jordan M. Casey

et al.

Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 106(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract Biogeochemical fluxes through ecological communities underpin the functioning of ecosystems worldwide. These are often heavily influenced by small‐bodied consumers, such as insects, worms, mollusks, or small vertebrates, which transfer energy and nutrients from autotrophic sources to larger animals. Although coral reefs one most productive in world, we know relatively little about how consumers make available predators their roles may vary across reefs. Here, use community‐scale collections small, bottom‐dwelling (“cryptobenthic”) reef fishes along with size spectrum analyses, stable isotopes, demographic modeling examine role harnessing transferring carbon two distinct habitats. Using a comprehensive dataset Mo'orea (French Polynesia), demonstrate that, despite only being separated narrow crest, forereef backreef habitats harbor cryptobenthic that play vastly divergent transfer. Forereef depauperate, largely consisting predatory planktivorous species have comparatively high standing biomass (both individually collectively). In these communities, combination spectra isotope values suggests important contributions pelagic subsidies, but rate production turnover (i.e., at is replenished) low. contrast, fish characterized abundances smallest bodied species, forming traditional bottom‐heavy trophic pyramid fueled benthic autotrophs. productivity fuels rapid biomass, while channels notably less productive. Our integrative approach demonstrates utility combining multiple methods (e.g., isotopically informed models) trace consumer complex ecosystems. Furthermore, our results highlight dynamics highly habitat‐dependent be pronounced shallow systems limited connectivity open ocean.

Language: Английский

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