Rising to the challenge of sustaining coral reef resilience

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 25(11), P. 633 - 642

Published: Aug. 27, 2010

Language: Английский

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Surviving in a Marine Desert: The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs

Science, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 342(6154), P. 108 - 110

Published: Oct. 3, 2013

Ever since Darwin's early descriptions of coral reefs, scientists have debated how one the world's most productive and diverse ecosystems can thrive in marine equivalent a desert. It is an enigma flux dissolved organic matter (DOM), largest resource produced on transferred to higher trophic levels. Here we show that sponges make DOM available fauna by rapidly expelling filter cells as detritus subsequently consumed reef fauna. This "sponge loop" was confirmed aquarium situ food web experiments, using (13)C- (15)N-enriched DOM. The DOM-sponge-fauna pathway explains why biological hot spots such reefs persist oligotrophic seas--the reef's paradox--and has implications for ecosystem functioning conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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Resilience (Republished)

Ecology and Society, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 21(4)

Published: Jan. 1, 2016

Resilience thinking in relation to the environment has emerged as a lens of inquiry that serves platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration. is about cultivating capacity sustain development face expected surprising change diverse pathways potential thresholds between them. The evolution resilience coupled social-ecological systems truly intertwined human-environment planet. persistence, adaptability, transformability complex adaptive focus, clarifying dynamic forward-looking nature concept. emphasizes systems, from individual, community, society whole, are embedded biosphere. biosphere connection an essential observation if sustainability be taken seriously. In continuous advancement there efforts aimed at capturing finding ways people institutions govern dynamics improved human well-being, local, across levels scales, global. Consequently, thinking, issues planet, framed context understanding governing part

Language: Английский

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Evaluating life‐history strategies of reef corals from species traits

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 15(12), P. 1378 - 1386

Published: Sept. 3, 2012

Abstract Classifying the biological traits of organisms can test conceptual frameworks life‐history strategies and allow for predictions how different species may respond to environmental disturbances. We apply a trait‐based classification approach complex threatened group species, scleractinian corals. Using hierarchical clustering random forests analyses, we identify up four that appear globally consistent across 143 reef corals: competitive, weedy, stress‐tolerant generalist taxa, which are primarily separated by colony morphology, growth rate reproductive mode. Documented shifts towards stress‐tolerant, weedy in coral communities with expected responses these strategies. Our quantitative classifying is objective, applicable any taxa powerful tool be used evaluate theories community ecology predict impact anthropogenic stressors on assemblages.

Language: Английский

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Assessing evidence of phase shifts from coral to macroalgal dominance on coral reefs

Ecology, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 90(6), P. 1478 - 1484

Published: June 1, 2009

Many marine scientists have concluded that coral reefs are moving toward or locked into a seaweed‐dominated state. However, because there been no regional‐ global‐scale analyses of such reef “phase shifts,” the magnitude this phenomenon was unknown. We analyzed 3581 quantitative surveys 1851 performed between 1996 and 2006 to determine frequency, geographical extent, degree macroalgal dominance phase shifts around world. Our results indicate replacement corals by macroalgae as dominant benthic functional group is less common geographically extensive than assumed. Although we found evidence moderate local increases in cover, particularly Caribbean, only 4% were dominated (i.e., >50% cover). Across Indo‐Pacific, where regional averages cover 9–12%, 1% surveyed reefs. Between 2006, shift severity decreased did not change Florida Keys increased slightly on Great Barrier Reef due loss. Coral ecosystems appear be more resistant blooms assumed, which has important implications for management.

Language: Английский

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Terrestrial pollutant runoff to the Great Barrier Reef: An update of issues, priorities and management responses

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 65(4-9), P. 81 - 100

Published: Jan. 1, 2012

Language: Английский

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Coral reef ecosystem services in the Anthropocene

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 33(6), P. 1023 - 1034

Published: March 19, 2019

Abstract Coral reefs underpin a range of ecosystem goods and services that contribute to the well‐being millions people. However, tropical coral in Anthropocene are likely be functionally different from past. In this perspective piece, we ask, what does mean for provision reefs? First, provide examples provisioning, regulating, cultural supporting underpinned by reef ecosystems. We conclude service research has lagged behind multidisciplinary advances broader science, such as an explicit recognition interactions between social ecological systems services. Second, drawing on tools functional ecology, outline how these social–ecological relationships can incorporated into mechanistic understanding might used anticipate future changes Finally, explore emergence novel services, example tropicalized coastlines, or through changing technological connections reefs. Indeed, when conceived coming system dynamics, novelty emerge elements people ecosystem. This synthesis literature suggests field is poorly prepared understand anticipated Anthropocene. A new agenda needed better connects ecology provision. should embrace more holistic approaches research, recognizing them co‐produced ecosystems society. Importantly, likelihood configurations requires further conceptualization empirical assessment. As with current loss gain will not affect all equally must understood context which they occur. With uncertainty surrounding Anthropocene, exploring benefits change great importance. plain language summary available article.

Language: Английский

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Rethinking Ecosystem Resilience in the Face of Climate Change

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 8(7), P. e1000438 - e1000438

Published: July 27, 2010

Resilience is usually defined as the capacity of an ecosystem to absorb disturbance without shifting alternative state and losing function services [1]–[3]. The concept therefore encompasses two separate processes: resistance—the magnitude that causes a change in structure—and recovery—the speed return original structure [4],[5]—which are fundamentally different but rarely distinguished. Yet, resilience has become central management natural ecosystems [6],[7]. Many current actions aim alleviate local stressors effort increase global climate [8],[9]. Such philosophy premised on belief eliminating drivers ecological will ability resist future disturbances, its recover from such or both [2],[6]. Measuring fraught with difficulties [1],[3]. Nevertheless, assessing changes result action critical because there general agreement for existence strong link between sustainability [10]. Successfully increasing systems may have important implications human welfare face change. In this Perspective, we argue expectation increased communities through reduction be incorrect, resilience-focused may, fact, greater vulnerability impacts. We illustrate our argument using coral reefs model. Coral crisis due ever-increasing impacts these biodiverse habitats [11],[12]. These stem multiplicity stressors, fishing, eutrophication, sedimentation. It not surprising resilience—to particular—is perhaps more strongly advocated underpinning than any other [9],. Marine reserves no-take areas, most popular form spatial reef conservation, widely thought potential [11],[13],[14],[17]. But do they really?

Language: Английский

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An extensive reef system at the Amazon River mouth

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 2(4)

Published: April 1, 2016

A novel Amazonian reef biome was discovered, encompassing large rhodolith and sponge beds under low light, oxygen, high POC.

Language: Английский

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Anticipating ocean acidification’s economic consequences for commercial fisheries

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. 024007 - 024007

Published: June 1, 2009

Ocean acidification, a consequence of rising anthropogenic CO2 emissions, is poised to change marine ecosystems profoundly by increasing dissolved and decreasing ocean pH, carbonate ion concentration, calcium mineral saturation state worldwide. These conditions hinder growth shells skeletons many plants animals. The first direct impact on humans may be through declining harvests fishery revenues from shellfish, their predators, coral reef habitats. In case study US commercial revenues, we begin constrain the economic effects acidification over next 50 years using atmospheric trajectories laboratory studies its effects, focusing especially mollusks. 2007, $3.8 billion annual domestic ex-vessel harvest ultimately contributed $34 gross national product. Mollusks 19%, or $748 million, that year. Substantial revenue declines, job losses, indirect costs occur if broadly damages habitats, alters resource availability, disrupts other ecosystem services. We review implications for management propose possible adaptation strategies designed support fisheries marine-resource-dependent communities, which already possess little resilience.

Language: Английский

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