Fish-based herbivory and the natural maintenance of algal fouling on coral nurseries used across the Great Barrier Reef DOI Creative Commons

Gemma M. Gillette,

Emma F. Camp, John Edmondson

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 19, 2023

Abstract In-situ coral nurseries have become widespread across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) as part of tourism-led stewardship efforts to grow and replant at sites high socio-economic value. Practices are aimed reducing costs increasing propagation efficiency. Whilst role herbivorous fish in regulating coral-algal competition has been extensively studied on natural reefs, limited research examined how similar benefits could be harnessed improve success. Here, we assess extent which assemblages GBR reduce growth biofouling algae nursery frames survival Acropora species growing frames. Cage-exclusion treatments, coupled with grazing plate assays video surveys, were employed quantify maintenance effect (>2.5 cm length) two reef Opal northern Reef. Exclusion grazers from for 112 days led a fourfold increase algal biomass compared treatments where allowed access. Removal by fish, turn, mean survivorship >25%, although responses composition species-specific, verweyi exhibited greater than either A. muricata or cerealis. Analysis bite rates revealed fouling was almost entirely driven individuals parrotfish surgeonfish families, notably, Scarus globiceps (Globehead parrotfish) Acanthurus nigricauda (Eye-line surgeonfish). Our results highlight importance accounting broader ecology practices detail important early considerations more effective design, positioning, stocking arrangements.

Language: Английский

Optimizing remote underwater video sampling to quantify relative abundance, richness, and corallivory rates of reef fish DOI Creative Commons
Tsai-Hsuan Tony Hsu, Sophie E. Gordon, Renata Ferrari

et al.

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

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

Abstract Remote underwater videos (RUVs) are valuable for studying fish assemblages and behaviors, but analyzing them is time-consuming. To effectively extract data from RUVs while minimizing sampling errors, this study developed optimal subsampling strategies assessing relative abundance, richness, bite rates of corallivorous across eight geographically dispersed reef sites on the Great Barrier Reef in Torres Strait. Analyzing 40 frames per 60-min video yielded precise accurate estimates mean number individuals frame (i.e., MeanCount), with systematic (one every 90 s) proved as effective or better than random sampling, depending survey sites. However, approach underestimated species richness by ~ 40%, missing less common species. For estimating rates, 30 min 15 feeding events were optimal, no significant gains precision accuracy further effort. These enhance standardization process efficiency, reducing time required MeanCount rate nine two times, respectively, compared to full annotation.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Cost‐efficiency and effectiveness of coral restoration pathways DOI Open Access
Sebastian Schmidt‐Roach,

Travis Knorr,

Cassandra Roch

et al.

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

Published: Nov. 14, 2024

Coral reefs play a crucial role in supporting over half billion human livelihoods through their contributions to fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection. In light of substantial global declines coral cover the deterioration reef habitats due climate change other human‐driven influences, urgency restoration has escalated help preserve vital ecosystem services. Comprehending economic costs associated with existing potential future approaches become time‐sensitive. The median cost is estimated be 400,000 USD/ha (at base year 2010). This estimate comes limitations its reliance on reported project various techniques. Here we look standardize expenses uniform costing efforts based time invested specific per‐unit for methods. We complement literature‐extracted values independent estimates real‐world operations. Using this approach, decipher comparative different nursery outplanting identify incorporated dependencies. To gain insights into impact labor expenditures, examine variations two regions. Overall, our data‐based approach identifies within most commonly practiced pathways, opportunities reduce operational costs, points toward priorities research development.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Some like it dirty: Less frequent nursery cleaning can reduce reef restoration costs with limited negative effects on coral performance DOI Creative Commons
Ewout G. Knoester,

M.H. Groenendijk,

Albertinka J. Murk

et al.

Ecological Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 201, P. 107209 - 107209

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Coral gardening is a reef restoration technique in which corals are first grown nurseries and then outplanted onto degraded reefs. However, coral does not yet achieve at ecologically-relevant scales due to associated high costs. often manually cleaned remove biofouling improve performance, although putative benefits of this costly activity remain unconfirmed. We quantified the costs various cleaning frequencies identify most cost-effective nursery approach study site with low herbivorous fish biomass. During one-year study, were either weekly, monthly, quarter-yearly or never. Nurseries contained four species three fragment sizes examine species- size-specific effects. production (combined growth fraction live tissue) quantified. No significant differences found across result was consistent among sizes. Therefore, no clearly identified as option. Costs could be further reduced by selecting fast-growing (e.g. Acropora) stocking large fragments, these contributed production. The resulting minimum cost US$0.26 per including dive, wage material for building, deployment filling sourcing corals. For location potentially many others similar higher biomass, less frequent can substantially reduce without having negative impacts on

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Leveraging the Red List of Ecosystems for national action on coral reefs through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework DOI Creative Commons
Mishal Gudka, David Obura, Eric A. Treml

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 21, 2024

Abstract Countries have committed to conserving and restoring ecosystems after signing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) will serve as a headline indicator track progress countries towards achieving this goal, guide action across GBF’s targets. Using Kenyan coral reefs, we demonstrate how nations implementing GBF, can use standardised estimates ecosystem degradation from RLE assessments support site-specific management decisions. We undertook reef-by-reef analysis evaluate relative severity decline four key components over past 50-years: hard corals, macroalgae, parrotfish groupers. two benthic indicators, also calculated state identify reef sites which maintain better condition through time adjacent sites. Over 50 years, Kenya’s reefs degraded all components. At more than half monitored both grouper abundance declined by 50%, while cover macroalgae-coral ratio at least 30%. This resulted in Vulnerable threat status for Kenya based on (under criterion D RLE). temporal trends revealed maintained an above average their monitoring history (15-25 years). results actions contribute nine 23 GBF For example, identified several with relatively healthy fish communities candidate areas protection measures under Target 3. found that Marine Protected Areas Locally Managed Areas, restrict fishing control gears, had lower declines groupers compared unmanaged areas, providing further evidence expansion. has role play meeting goals targets Framework, our work demonstrates using wealth data within these inform local-scale amplify impact.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Concrete evidence: outplanted corals for reef restoration do not need extended curing of ordinary Portland cement DOI Creative Commons
Ewout G. Knoester, Aurin M. Vos,

C. Saru

et al.

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Artificial reefs for coral reef restoration are often concrete-based. After concrete is poured, it initially has a high surface pH (approx. 13), which neutralizes within several weeks. During this curing, colonization by marine microalgae delayed and also macrobenthos such as corals may be impacted. In study, we evaluated how curing time applied prior to the deployment of artificial affected performance. Fragments five species were outplanted onto ordinary Portland discs ( n = 10) that had been cured on land. Seven different periods applied, ranging from one day up four months. The with deployed at Kenyan photographed start end experiment. 1 year, cover increased declined one, but was unrelated time. Also, no effect seen development other common benthic organisms macroalgae or soft corals. We conclude unlikely have any long-term negative impacts performance therefore, extended attachment benefit efforts.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Fish-based herbivory and the natural maintenance of algal fouling on coral nurseries used across the Great Barrier Reef DOI Creative Commons

Gemma M. Gillette,

Emma F. Camp, John Edmondson

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 19, 2023

Abstract In-situ coral nurseries have become widespread across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) as part of tourism-led stewardship efforts to grow and replant at sites high socio-economic value. Practices are aimed reducing costs increasing propagation efficiency. Whilst role herbivorous fish in regulating coral-algal competition has been extensively studied on natural reefs, limited research examined how similar benefits could be harnessed improve success. Here, we assess extent which assemblages GBR reduce growth biofouling algae nursery frames survival Acropora species growing frames. Cage-exclusion treatments, coupled with grazing plate assays video surveys, were employed quantify maintenance effect (>2.5 cm length) two reef Opal northern Reef. Exclusion grazers from for 112 days led a fourfold increase algal biomass compared treatments where allowed access. Removal by fish, turn, mean survivorship >25%, although responses composition species-specific, verweyi exhibited greater than either A. muricata or cerealis. Analysis bite rates revealed fouling was almost entirely driven individuals parrotfish surgeonfish families, notably, Scarus globiceps (Globehead parrotfish) Acanthurus nigricauda (Eye-line surgeonfish). Our results highlight importance accounting broader ecology practices detail important early considerations more effective design, positioning, stocking arrangements.

Language: Английский

Citations

0