Transcriptomic signatures across a critical sedimentation threshold in a major reef-building coral DOI Creative Commons
Colin Lock,

Melissa M. Gabriel,

Bastian Bentlage

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 8, 2023

Abstract Sedimentation is a major cause of global near-shore coral reef decline. While negative impacts sedimentation on community composition have been well documented, the effects metabolism in situ received comparatively little attention. Using transcriptomics, we identified gene expression patterns changing across previously defined threshold that was deemed critical due to changes cover and composition. We genes, pathways, molecular processes associated with this transition may allow corals, such as Porites lobata , tolerate chronic, severe persist turbid environments. Alternative energy generation pathways help maintain persistent stress response survive while light oxygen availability are diminished. found evidence for genes linked increased environmental sensing cellular communication likely efficiently respond pathogen challenges. Cell damage increases under stress; consequently, apoptosis over-represented sedimentation, consequence damaged cell removal colony integrity. The results presented here provide framework field conditions. Testing its related hypotheses using multi-omics approaches can further our understanding metabolic plasticity acclimation potential corals their resilience systems.

Language: Английский

Impacts of unpaved roads on runoff and erosion in a dry tropical setting: Isla De Culebra, Puerto Rico DOI
Carlos E. Ramos‐Scharrón, Peter McLaughlin,

Yasiel Figueroa-Sánchez

et al.

Journal of Soils and Sediments, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 1420 - 1430

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Land-Based Sources of Pollution Impacts on Coral Reefs in American Samoa DOI
Joy N. Smith, Juliette Verstaen, Andrew A. Shantz

et al.

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Runoff generation in ephemeral streams of the Virgin Islands: The case of Salt River, St. Croix DOI
David A. Hensley, Thorsten Knappenberger, Brittany V. Lancellotti

et al.

Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 59, P. 102372 - 102372

Published: April 8, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Coral Reef Calculus: Nature’s Equation for Pollution Control DOI Open Access
Vasileios Alevizos, Zongliang Yue,

Sabrina Edralin

et al.

Water, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(8), P. 1210 - 1210

Published: April 18, 2025

Coral reefs play an essential ecological role in maintaining marine water quality by naturally filtering contaminants. This study investigates the quantitative capability of coral reef ecosystems to reduce waterborne pollutants using biologically mediated processes. A systematic methodology, combining situ observations, laboratory simulations, and analytical modeling, was adopted determine filtration efficiency reefs. Remote sensing photogrammetry characterized morphology, while microbial consortia transformations polyp assimilation rates were quantified biochemical assays. Results demonstrated significant nutrient uptake polyps, particularly nitrogenous compounds, with higher removal efficiencies under stable salinity conditions. Temperature-induced stress found functionality. Enhanced sediment attenuation near structures improved coastal transparency. The integration vegetation buffers adjacent further augmented pollutant efficiency, combined strategies for effective pollution management.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The Long and Winding Road of Coral Reef Recovery in the Anthropocene: A Case Study from Puerto Rico DOI Creative Commons
Edwin A. Hernández‐Delgado, María F. Ortiz-Flores

Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(10), P. 804 - 804

Published: Sept. 27, 2022

The persistence and resilience of marginal shallow coral reefs at their limits environmental tolerance have declined due to chronic degradation climate change. However, the consequences for natural recovery ability disturbance remain poorly understood. This study considered potential through recruitment on fringing across different geographic regions under contrasting conditions in Puerto Rico. Reefs areas with significant water quality more severe physical impacts hurricanes were expected lower recruit density diversity, therefore less recovery. Sixteen assessed three regions. Degraded sustained a percentage live cover had higher macroalgae turf algae abundance. Locations affected by high PO4, NH3+ optical brightness concentrations, turbidity, sea surface temperature anomalies, chlorophyll-a concentration light attenuation Kd490 evidenced significantly diversity. Hurricane-decimated also exhibited impoverished assemblages. Low could important long-term implications projected change level rise, particularly coastal urban habitats. There is need implement effective conservation, ecological restoration community participation strategies that facilitate enhanced success assisted processes.

Language: Английский

Citations

12
Three Decades of Road and Trail Runoff andErosion Work in the Northeastern Caribbean –a Research Program Perspective DOI Open Access

Carlos E. Ramos Scharron,

Efrain E. Alicea,

Yasiel Figueroa Sanchez

et al.

Journal of the ASABE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 66(1), P. 35 - 45

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Highlights The infiltration capacities of unsurfaced roadways are frequently exceeded by rain intensity, promoting overland flow. Erosion rates from and cut slopes 10 1 to 4 times greater than on undisturbed hillslopes. Roads in steep, subtropical wet terranes may increase landslide erosion a factor 5 relative areas without roads. hydro-geomorphic impact roads is so prominent that they must be explicitly considered watershed assessments. ABSTRACT. key environmental concern the northeastern Caribbean because it can diminish soil productivity, damage infrastructure, threaten human life. Additionally, sediment released delivered streams where degrade water quality aquatic habitat, reduce reservoir storage capacity, critical marine resources such as sea grass beds coral reefs. Road has been region since 1990s, considerable body research conducted over last ~30 years. This article reviews findings identifies additional needs. In some tropical dry coastal watersheds US Virgin Islands Puerto Rico, unpaved foot or off-road vehicle trails primary sources. Watershed scale production these settings 0.3 3.7 Mg ha-1 yr-1, depending road density, 3 40 under conditions. wetter settings, like forested actively cultivated landscapes highland contributions include those farm but also croplands, streambanks, landslides. 15 60 with road-induced surface landslides accounting for 50% 95% total production. Designing management alternatives will require improve our understanding road-to-stream road-to-coast connectivity, develop effectiveness metrics applied practices, establish specific causes Keywords: Connectivity, Coral reefs, Landslides, Sedimentation, Surface erosion, Islands.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
The state of knowledge of freshwater resources in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Data scarcity and implications DOI Creative Commons
Brittany V. Lancellotti, David A. Hensley

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 31, 2024

Abstract Like many small island communities, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of U.S., is naturally freshwater scarce. In recent decades, rapid land development in USVI has increased water demand considerably, exerting extra pressure on resources. Freshwater quantity and quality data for are very scarce scattered, which limits management capabilities. We draw attention to this information deficit discuss its implications by reviewing current state knowledge surface groundwater USVI. Our review confirms that long‐term records limited unreliable. For example, streamflow was most recently monitored 2006, extensive from 1960s 1980s. Since 2016, mean levels have been recorded daily, but only three wells (one each USVI). Importantly, lack threatens security our understanding how impacted availability over time. This could be addressed using models, such as a recharge model, combination with remote sensing updated field (i.e., streamflow, groundwater, ecohydrological characterizations use change).

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Coming to light: How effective are sediment gravity flows in removing fine suspended carbonate from reefs? DOI Creative Commons
Jaco H. Baas,

William Hewitt,

Stephen W. Lokier

et al.

The Depositional Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 27, 2024

Abstract Coral reefs are hard calcified structures, mainly found in warm tropical water. These ecosystems serve important roles as, for example, a source of food, shelter and nursery different organisms, coastal protection. Reef‐building organisms have evolved to inhabit narrow ecological niche thus particularly susceptible rapid changes their environment, under predicted climate‐change scenarios. Anthropogenic climate change is widely accepted as the leading cause rising ocean temperatures, sea water acidity sedimentation rate, which all affect coral's productivity, health and, some extent, skeletal strength. High‐energy weather events, such storms hurricanes, can erode reefs, thereby increasing amount suspended sediment consequently turbidity The removal from reef vital producers, natural process that removes gravity flows. A key factor controls ability flows transport cohesion, cohesion determines run‐out distance flow through its rheological properties. This study examines cohesive nature laden with fine‐grained CaCO 3 . mud‐grade calcite compared carrying non‐cohesive, silt‐sized, silica flour, weakly kaolinite clay strongly bentonite clay, by means laboratory experiments. results these experiments show behave more akin silica‐flour reaching maximum mobility at considerably higher volumetric concentrations (47% flour 53% ) than (22% 16% bentonite). Fine therefore be regarded physically high may constitute an effective mechanism removing coral especially locations where slope gradient present, front forereef. However, biological caused ‘sticky’ extracellular polymer substances produced micro‐organisms, render less mobile. present should seen first step towards comprehensive analysis efficiency reefs.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Coastal water quality improves during the COVID-19 pandemic: Maui, Hawai'i DOI
Andrea K. Kealoha, Christopher B. Wall,

Travis A. Liggett

et al.

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 209, P. 117088 - 117088

Published: Oct. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Sediment mobilization by rain-driven landslides in a subtropical moist, mix-use, and predominantly metamorphic setting DOI
Carlos E. Ramos‐Scharrón, Eugênio Arima, Y. Chen

et al.

Geomorphology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 413, P. 108380 - 108380

Published: July 25, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

5