Characterizing the ecological trade‐offs throughout the early ontogeny of coral recruitment

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 86(1), P. 20 - 44

Published: Oct. 19, 2015

Abstract Drivers of recruitment in sessile marine organisms are often poorly understood, due to the rapidly changing requirements experienced during early ontogeny. The complex suite physical, biological, and ecological interactions beginning at larval settlement involves a series trade‐offs that influence success. For example, while cryptic within microhabitats is commonly observed phenomenon organisms, it unclear whether between competition refuges predation on exposed surfaces leads higher recruitment.To explore ontogeny scleractinian corals, we combined field observations with laboratory experiments develop mechanistic understanding coral Multiple conducted over 15 months Palau (Micronesia) allowed approach study individual factors involved recruitment: behavior, growth, competition, predation, as functions microhabitat We finally developed tested predictive model broader aim testing our empirical insights explained patterns quantifying relative importance each trade‐off.Coral was crevices than microhabitats, but post‐settlement bottlenecks differed markedly presence (uncaged) absence (caged) predators. Incidental by herbivores (<3 mm) stages targeted corallivores late (3–10 exceeded major drivers mortality. In contrast, when fish were excluded, macroalgae heterotrophic invertebrates intensified mortality, particularly crevices. As result, reversed, more twofold Once overcome, survival regardless exclusion. However, maximum occurred uncaged treatments, being ninefold caged treatments. Overall, characterize success throughout earliest life‐history corals uncover some intriguing highlighting how these change even reverse under alternate disturbance regimes.

Language: Английский

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The effects of top–down versus bottom–up control on benthic coral reef community structure

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 163(2), P. 497 - 507

Published: Jan. 7, 2010

Language: Английский

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Competition Among Sessile Organisms on Coral Reefs

Springer eBooks, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 347 - 371

Published: Nov. 9, 2010

Language: Английский

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Effects of benthic algae on the replenishment of corals and the implications for the resilience of coral reefs

CRC Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 31 - 70

Published: June 5, 2008

The ecological resilience of coral reefs depends critically on the capacity populations to re-establish in habitats dominated by macroalgae. Coral globally are under rapidly increasing pressure from human activities, especially climate change, with serious environmental, social and economic consequences. mortality is usually followed colonisation benthic algae various forms, so that dominate most degraded disturbed reefs. this algal-dominated environment will depend direct indirect impacts supply larvae remnant adults, settlement post-settlement survival growth juvenile corals. effects replenishment vary considerably but thick mats or large seaweeds typical have predominantly negative impacts. Some algae, mostly calcareous red may enhance healthy Algal include reduced fecundity larval survival, pre-emption space for settlement, abrasion overgrowth recruits, sloughing dislodgement recruits settled crustose changes habitat conditions. There a lack information about these effects, which likely cause bottlenecks recovery signicantly reduce

Language: Английский

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Confronting Feedbacks of Degraded Marine Ecosystems

Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 15(5), P. 695 - 710

Published: March 13, 2012

Language: Английский

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Phase shifts and the stability of macroalgal communities on Caribbean coral reefs

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 761 - 773

Published: May 8, 2009

Language: Английский

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High CO₂ enhances the competitive strength of seaweeds over corals

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 156 - 162

Published: Dec. 14, 2010

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 156–162 Abstract Space competition between corals and seaweeds is an important ecological process underlying coral‐reef dynamics. Processes promoting seaweed growth survival, such as herbivore overfishing eutrophication, can lead to local reef degradation. Here, we present the case that increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO 2 may be additional driving a shift from on reefs. Coral ( Acropora intermedia ) mortality in contact with common Lobophora papenfussii increased two‐ threefold background (400 ppm) highest level projected for late 21st century (1140 ppm). The strong interaction coral was most likely attributable chemical competitive mechanism, control algal mimics showed no mortality. Our results suggest reefs become increasingly susceptible proliferation under ocean acidification, processes regulating abundance (e.g. herbivory) will play role maintaining abundance.

Language: Английский

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The impact of ecosystem connectivity on coral reef resilience

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: 45(3), P. 854 - 862

Published: Feb. 27, 2008

Summary Ontogenetic dispersal of animals has been observed among many ecosystems, but its full ecological significance is poorly understood. By modelling the consequences ontogenetic reef fish between Caribbean mangroves and adjacent coral reefs, we quantify broader implications ecosystem connectivity for function resilience to climate‐driven disturbance. Mangrove‐driven enrichment parrotfish grazing on two habitats was calculated using empirical data. The increased were then investigated a spatial simulation dynamics in shallow (depth 3–6 m) mid‐shelf forereefs 7–15 m). largest increase occurred found have negligible population dynamics. In contrast, relatively weak increases deeper reefs had profound consequences: near able experience recovery under most intense hurricane regimes Caribbean, whereas those lacking little capacity recovery. This surprising result occurs because exhibit multiple stable equilibria mangrove coincides with zone system instability. A small shifted beyond bifurcation point, thereby enhancing massively. large minimal consequence levels concerned more than double needed exceed corresponding point this habitat. Synthesis applications . are being deforested at faster rate rainforests, yet their protective role against damage extends not only shoreward coastal environments also seaward increasing offshore reefs. Specifically, mechanisms involving may probability that populations will recover from climate‐induced changes Efforts arrest deforestation restore likely likelihood corals mid‐depth (7–15 after general, ecosystem‐level migration do correspond necessarily magnitude locally effects (i.e. pattern grazer exhibited opposite resilience). Therefore, caution must be exercised when interpreting functional species abundance process (e.g. pressure growth survival). Impacts shifting or perhaps best appreciated mechanistic models.

Language: Английский

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Herbivory and the resilience of Caribbean coral reefs: knowledge gaps and implications for management

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 520, P. 1 - 20

Published: Dec. 22, 2014

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 520:1-20 (2015) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11170 FEATURE ARTICLE: REVIEW Herbivory and resilience of Caribbean coral reefs: knowledge gaps implications for management Thomas C. Adam1,4,*, Deron E. Burkepile1, Benjamin I. Ruttenberg2, Michelle J. Paddack3 1Marine Sciences Program, Department Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA 2NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 33149, Department, California Polytechnic State San Luis Obispo, CA 93410, 3Biological Santa Barbara City College, Barbara, 93109, 4Present address: Institute, University California, 93106, *Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT: is a key process on reefs that can facilitate reef-building corals by excluding algae otherwise negatively impact settlement, growth, survivorship. Over last several decades, cover has declined precipitously. On many reefs, large structurally complex have been replaced other non-reef-building organisms, resulting in collapse physical structure loss critical ecosystem services. The drivers decline are vary among locations. populations herbivores greatly reduced disease overfishing, this resulted proliferation hinder recovery following major disturbances. Yet, evidence increases herbivory promote mixed. Here, we discuss contingencies will modify relationships between herbivores, algae, identify limit ability predict when where most likely persistence recovery. Impacts reef ecosystems space time depend herbivore diversity species identity. While there still number gaps, make recommendations based current understanding processes ecosystems. Reversing fate require development integrated strategies simultaneously address multiple stressors addition impacts fisheries assemblages. KEY WORDS: Phase shift · Grazing Macroalgae Parrotfish Fishing Diadema Climate change Restoration Full text pdf format Information about Feature Article NextCite article as: Adam TC, Burkepile DE, Ruttenberg BI, Paddack MJ management. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 520:1-20. Export citation Tweet linkedIn Cited Published Vol. 520. Online publication date: February 03, 2015 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; 1616-1599 Copyright © Inter-Research.

Language: Английский

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Herbivory versus corallivory: are parrotfish good or bad for Caribbean coral reefs?

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 683 - 690

Published: May 3, 2009

Language: Английский

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