Ecosystem‐scale mapping of coral species and thermal tolerance

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(5), P. 285 - 291

Published: March 23, 2022

The global decline of coral reefs urgently requires scalable colony‐level data about phenotypic variation to improve conservation and management. To address this, we leveraged historical bleaching phenotypes, airborne imaging spectroscopy, recurrent temperature stress map species composition thermal tolerance across four focal with a cumulative area ~15 ha. Spectral accurately distinguished benthic species, showed substantial capacity for mapping in two healthy coral. We used from 2019 marine heatwave demonstrate high prediction accuracy during natural event, strengthen the links between predictions, conserved spectral signatures. Large differences proportion tolerant corals at individual suggest that ecosystem‐scale “winners” “losers” future can be predicted, which may greatly increase efficacy This framework provides foundational evidence applicability organismic‐scale remote sensing conservation.

Language: Английский

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Short-term stress testing predicts subsequent natural bleaching variation

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

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Reef degradation induced by climate change is motivating interest in active management strategies to retain living coral cover including restoration. Understanding the level and range of heat tolerance available populations critical determining their viability may be important choosing corals propagate for restoration projects. There a need assess experimentally relate experimental performance real-world bleaching conditions outcomes. We sampled model population key reef-building (Montipora capitata) Kāneʻohe Bay, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi subjected fragments an artificial stress profile. subsequently revisited assessed source colonies at height natural event. Measurements photosystem efficiency taken on samples during were predictive subsequent field responses colonies. By additive modeling along with previous measures symbiont community site characteristics, we improved predictions later Survival measured several months after experiencing had strong positive value outcomes but also produced many false negatives. These results support notion that complex trait detectable partitioning its underlying sources. This work reinforces utility heat-based experimentation both understanding biological underpinnings gleaning information about individual has direct applicability conservation forecasting activities.

Language: Английский

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Locally Adapted Coral Species Withstand a 2-Week Hypoxic Event

Oceans, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 5 - 5

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

One approach to improve long-term coral restoration success utilizes naturally stress-tolerant corals from the wild. While focus has primarily been on thermal stress, low oxygen is a growing threat reefs and efforts should also consider hypoxia tolerance. Here we determine if Siderastrea siderea Agaricia tenuifolia populations reef with historical record of exhibit evidence local adaptation hypoxic events, compared reference reef. We employed laboratory-based reciprocal transplant experiment mimicking severe 14-night event monitored bleaching responses, photo-physiology, metabolic rates, survival all four during, for two weeks following event. In both species, found either fully persisted or recovered within 3 days contrast, conspecific naïve well-oxygenated experienced death. This showcases vulnerability exposed but suggests that locally adapted survive episodic hypoxia. Other past may be home signatures useful efforts.

Language: Английский

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Activation of endogenous tolerance to bleaching stress by high salinity in cloned endosymbiotic dinoflagellates from corals

Botanical studies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 66(1)

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

Abstract Background Large-scale coral bleaching events have become increasingly frequent in recent years. This process occurs when corals are exposed to high temperatures and intense light stress, leading an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by their endosymbiotic dinoflagellates. The ROS buildup prompts expel these symbiotic microalgae, resulting the corals’ discoloration. Reducing production enhancing detoxification processes microalgae crucial prevent collapse reef ecosystems. However, research into cell physiology genetics dinoflagellates has been hindered challenges associated with cloning microalgae. Results A procedure for was developed this study. Several symbionts were successfully cloned, two them further characterized. Experiments isolated from Turbinaria sp. showed that damage intensity at 340 μmol photons/m 2 /s more severe than temperature 36 °C. Additionally, preincubation salinity conditions activated endogenous tolerance stress. Pretreatment 50 ppt reduced percentage cells stained 59% 64% under stress compared those incubated 30 ppt. Furthermore, Fv’/Fm’ during recovery period a significant improvement controls. Conclusions These findings suggest plays important role generation also genomes undergone evolutionary develop mechanisms, regulated gene expression, mitigate damages caused Understanding expression regulation could contribute strengthening resilience against impact global climate change.

Language: Английский

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Genotypes of Acropora cervicornis in Florida show resistance to either elevated nutrients or disease, but not both in combination

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0320378 - e0320378

Published: March 26, 2025

Coral restoration programs are expanding to revive coral populations and ecosystem services, but local global stressors still threaten survival. In the Caribbean, ESA-listed staghorn Acropora cervicornis has experienced profound declines due multiple stressors, including disease nutrient pollution. We studied impact of these two on ten A. genotypes for which susceptibility was previously ranked in a transmission experiment. Results showed that elevated ammonium, disease, their combination negatively affected survivorship, with variable among genotypes. Three were susceptible ammonium alone mortality up 80% fragments. Exposure homogenate under ambient caused 100% fragments four genotypes, intermediate five (33-66% fragments), no one genotype. However, all (30-100% fragments) when exposed both disease. Despite detrimental effects corals presented higher photochemical efficiency ( F v /F m ) algal symbionts. Disease did not align genotypic ranking established previous study, suggesting that, while may vary resistance, rankings change environmental factors or type. Regardless individual susceptibility, our results suggest water quality improvement is necessary increasing survivorship.

Language: Английский

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Reimagining species on the move across space and time

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Runaway Climate Across the Wider Caribbean and Eastern Tropical Pacific in the Anthropocene: Threats to Coral Reef Conservation, Restoration, and Social–Ecological Resilience

Atmosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 575 - 575

Published: May 11, 2025

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasingly affecting tropical seas, causing mass coral bleaching and mortality in the wider Caribbean (WC) eastern Pacific (ETP). This leads to significant loss, reduced biodiversity, impaired ecological functions. Climate models forecast a troubling future for Latin American reefs, but downscaled projections WC ETP remain limited. Understanding regional temperature thresholds that threaten reef futures restoration efforts is critical. Our goals included analyzing historical trends July–August–September–October (JASO) anomalies exploring at subregional country levels. From 1940 2023, JASO air ocean showed increases. Projections indicate even under optimistic scenario 4.5, temperatures may exceed +1.5 °C threshold beyond pre-industrial levels by 2040s +1.0 annual maximums 2030s, resulting severe mortality. Business-as-usual 8.5 suggests conditions will become intolerable conservation with decadal warming largely surpassing rates, unbearable corals. The immediate development of local adaptive plans, along climate change adaptation mitigation strategies, essential provide time scenarios materialize.

Language: Английский

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Coral-Focused Climate Change Adaptation and Restoration Based on Accelerating Natural Processes: Launching the “Reefs of Hope” Paradigm

Oceans, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 4(1), P. 13 - 26

Published: Dec. 31, 2022

The widespread demise of coral reefs due to climate change is now a certainty, and investing in restoration without facing this stark reality risks failure. 50 Reefs Initiative, the dominant adaptation model for examined, new coral-focused paradigm proposed, based on helping adapt rising temperature, ensure that as many species possible survive locally over time. With pilot sites established six Pacific Island nations, genebank nurseries bleaching resistant corals are secured cooler waters, help prevent their heat stress increases. Unbleached selected during events included. From these harvested create nucleation patches genetically diverse pre-adapted corals, which become reproductively, ecologically biologically viable at reef scale, spreading out This “Reefs Hope” paradigm, modelled tropical forest restoration, creates dense patches, using larger transplants or multiple small fragments elevated structures, forming fish habitat immediately. increase substratum health, presumably will enhance natural larval-based recovery processes. We also hypothesize incoming recruits, attracted patch, inoculated by adapted algal symbionts, facilitating wider reef. global emissions control, most we can hope buy precious time saving diversity not likely unassisted.

Language: Английский

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All-inclusive coral reef restoration: How the tourism sector can boost restoration efforts in the caribbean

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Aug. 24, 2022

Following a strong decline in the health of Caribbean coral reefs 1970s, disease outbreaks, overfishing, and warming events have continued to push these towards point no return. As such, researchers stakeholders turned their attention restoration practices overcome recovery bottlenecks on reefs. However, successful faces many challenges, including economical logistical feasibility, long-term stability, biological ecological factors yet fully understand. The tourism sector has potential enhance scale efforts Caribbean, beyond simple financial contributions. Its strengths include presence several locations, human resources, business case focused preserving ecosystem services which it depends. Here, we present program Iberostar Hotels Resorts includes scientific team that incorporates science-based solutions into resort operations promote reef resilience face climate change. We exemplify our up collaboration with academia, local community, government by presenting first utilization Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) Latin America American aim applying findings thermotolerance directly Iberostar’s across Caribbean. This presents new model for involvement illustrates its capacity existing utilizing while maintaining decision making.

Language: Английский

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Culturing for conservation: the need for timely investments in reef aquaculture

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: April 25, 2023

Temperate oyster and tropical coral reefs are analogous systems that create habitat for economically, ecologically, culturally important species, they provide countless ecosystem services to human coastal communities. Globally, imperiled by multiple anthropogenic stressors, particularly climate impacts. Using aquaculture support conservation goals - known as is a relatively new approach many reef building but it shows great promise promoting species recovery bolstering resilience stressors. Concerns about aquaculture-associated risks, both potential, have often restricted the implementation of this tool an emergency intervention following dramatic declines on reefs, when or were unlikely recover. Here, we combine expertise from ecosystems consider role recommendations its timely development targeted implementation. We highlight importance evaluating alongside local stakeholders Indigenous communities determine where benefits using most likely outweigh risks. spotlight proactive monitoring detect population declines, value early interventions increase efficacy. Novel approaches technologies specifically designed builders considered, including techniques complex, multi-generational multi-species reefs. address need scaling up aquaculture-assisted recovery, corals, high volume methods like those been successfully employed oysters. also recommend immediate assessment identify challenges trade-offs these approaches. use proof-of-concept projects test promising methods, advise tracking all over time their long-term Finally, outline opportunities leverage novel partnerships among conservation, industry, community interests utilize facilitate Developing now critical position managers, scientists, restoration practitioners implement in effective ways resilient worldwide.

Language: Английский

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