Using structural equation models (SEM) to link climate change, forest composition, deer, and outdoor recreation

Ecological Modelling, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 493, С. 110731 - 110731

Опубликована: Май 13, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Carbonate budgets induced by coral restoration of a Great Barrier Reef site following cyclone damage

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 10

Опубликована: Янв. 26, 2024

Coral carbonate production is fundamental to reef accretion and, consequently, the preservation of essential ecosystem services, such as wave attenuation and sustained biodiversity. However, unprecedented loss coral reefs from anthropogenic impacts has put these valuable services at risk. To counteract this loss, active rehabilitation degraded sites accelerated globally. A variety restoration practices exist, tailored local site needs types. For where there a significant unconsolidated substrate, Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS, or “Reef Stars”) been utilised contribute toward rubble stabilisation accretion. effect Stars on budgets structural complexity not assessed. that purpose, we assess cover through census-based approach identify contribution producers eroders alongside studying skeletal properties estimate current rehabilitated compared natural unrehabilitated patches mid-Great Barrier Reef. Our research identified positive ecological processes functions increased budget, restored non-intervened patches. In general, no rigour relative were found for two key species Acropora most traits. Pocillopora damicornis hardness seemed decrease other sites, demonstrating different performances during activities should be considered maximise return-on-effort activities. Overall, our data demonstrate consideration important measuring success initiatives can relevant tool recover lost budgets.

Язык: Английский

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Mobilisation thresholds for coral rubble and consequences for windows of reef recovery

Biogeosciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 20(20), С. 4339 - 4357

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2023

Abstract. The proportional cover of rubble on reefs is predicted to increase as disturbances in intensity and frequency. Unstable can kill coral recruits impair binding processes that transform into a stable substrate for recruitment. A clearer understanding the mechanisms inhibited recovery requires characterisation hydrodynamic conditions trigger mobilisation. Here, we investigated mobilisation under regular wave flume irregular situ reef Maldives. We examined how changes near-bed orbital velocity influenced likelihood motion (e.g. rocking) transport (by walking, sliding or flipping). Rubble was considered function length, branchiness (branched vs. unbranched) underlying (rubble sand). effect comparable between observations. As increased, more likely rock, be transported travel greater distances. Averaged across substrate, loose had 50 % chance when velocities reached 0.30 m s−1 both reef. However, small and/or unbranched pieces were generally mobilised at lower than larger, branched rubble. also travelled further distances per day (∼2 cm) substrates composed sand Importantly, if interlocked, it very unlikely move (< 7 chance) even highest tested (0.4 s−1). Furthermore, probability declined over 3 d deployments field, suggesting snagged settled hydrodynamically positions within first days deployment. expect commonly locations with higher-energy events variable environments. At our field site Maldives, windows (when stable) predominantly occur during calmer north-eastern monsoon energy impacting atoll less heights are smaller. Our results show beds comprised fewer branches have shorter (stability) events, thus good candidates stabilisation interventions enhance recruitment binding.

Язык: Английский

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Exploring benthic habitat assessments on coral reefs: a comparison of direct field measurements versus remote sensing

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 43(2), С. 265 - 280

Опубликована: Фев. 6, 2024

Abstract Coral reefs are spatially variable ecosystems that form biogenic structures ranging in size from 10 to 1000s of meters. Their changes response anthropogenic stress occurring across increasingly broad scales, yet our ability detect, understand and respond these at relevant scales is limited. Traditional in-water observation-based coral reef ecology remote sensing-based methods both offer valuable insights into benthic change, but their relative scalability use to-date must be understood inform optimal future research approaches. We conducted a systematic literature review comparing the approaches used quantify habitat, through traditional ecological studies sensing studies, with respect to: (a) geographic distribution, (b) zone selection, c) focal questions. Among 199 reviewed, primarily concentrated on community composition (89%), using high-detail direct measurements, especially slope (80%). By contrast, provided explicit datasets coarser spatial thematic resolutions, predominant focus mapping (72%) entire systems. Only 3% integrated approaches, combining comprehensive in-situ observations broadscale sensing. As stressors continue increase scale, bridging scientific disciplines offers promising way upscale reef-scape scales. identify steps harness strengths fields integrate multiple tools various levels resolution scale. Such forward understanding managing functioning Anthropocene.

Язык: Английский

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Diversity of Cryptofaunal Nematode Assemblages along the Jardines de La Reina Coral Reef, Southern Cuba

Diversity, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(5), С. 264 - 264

Опубликована: Апрель 29, 2024

Cryptofaunal nematodes, those living on the hard substrate of coral reefs, are largely unknown in terms diversity and assemblage structure. We described nematode assemblages at seven sites spanning about 200 km along Jardines de La Reina, a well-preserved reef system Greater Antilles. identified 3000 mostly families Desmodoridae Chromadoridae; most abundant species were Croconema cinctum, Desmodora communis, Euchromadora vulgaris. The regional richness was moderate with 70 observed (0.95 confidence interval: 65–75 species) 75 extrapolated CI: 68–83 species). This lower than other biotopes, maybe reflecting evolutionary constraints due to interactions stony corals. local expected 100 individuals similar among sites, median 26 20–34 species), likely caused by diversification rate time acting same pace populations. taxonomic β-diversity high without differences (median: 0.85; 0.95 0.33–1), probably significant heterogeneity 10-cm scale. prevalence replacement over difference suggests that processes (e.g., environmental filtering competition) contribute more niche availability, which would be across terraces. Contrary our expectations, no gradient structure occurred, nor effect benthic cover nematodes. However, functional showed conservative set biological traits adaptations hydrodynamic regime: armed oral cavity/intermediate colonizing capability/ornamented cuticles/conical tail. Our results provide insights nematodes highlight vast knowledge gaps ruling meiofauna community reefs.

Язык: Английский

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Trajectories and agents of binding in stabilized and unstabilized coral rubble across environmental gradients

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Abstract Natural ecosystems are routinely impacted by acute disturbances that generate space for early colonizers. Following disturbances, the interaction strengths of top‐down and bottom‐up factors across environmental gradients influence community succession. On coral reefs, rubble beds commonly form following major can persist decades. Yet, there is little understanding successional pathways lead to binding—where bound consolidated stable substrate suitable recruitment—and subsequent recovery. This study used observational experimental methods determine: (1) binding likelihood in unstabilized situ 2.5 years a bleaching event 2016 Maldives, how it varied according characteristics gradients; (2) number binds binder composition on experimentally stabilized temporally over 1.5 gradients. Surveys found was lowest reef flat (8% bound) highest at exposed deeper sites (38%), where flow appears low enough maintain stability but high support growth. When stabilized, ~100% least one bind within 6 months. while per piece units continued increase time slope, remained flat, distinct between slope—likely due higher sediment transport flat. Community also cryptic microhabitats. reefs mobilized more frequently than every months, will likely have potential delayed recruitment. Where flux deposition high, recovery unlikely even if actively stabilized. In contrast, infrequently areas with lower facilitate natural recovery, thus may not require intervention. Our findings help effectively guide managers toward best strategies rubble‐dominated optimizing limited intervention resources through careful prioritization.

Язык: Английский

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Research on the seasonal driving mechanisms of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in streams

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 13

Опубликована: Май 30, 2025

In this study, the community structure and diversity of macroinvertebrate benthic animals in 18 streams, Cangshan, Dali City, Yunnan Province, were investigated detail. The main water environment factors driving changes these communities analyzed, effects wet dry seasons explored. There significant differences characteristics between seasons. particular, precipitation, flow, temperature increased season, species functional significantly greater than those season. Through analysis linear mixed effect model, rainfall increases greatly, leading to acceleration flow velocity increase turbidity; rich nutrients suspended particles enter water, a relatively high provides suitable habitat. combined improve animals. Moreover, season coincides with agricultural farming period area, organic matter runoff also food for reproduction some animals, an their diversity. These results suggest that such seasonal human activities (agricultural development) need be considered when protecting managing aquatic ecosystems regions distinct This study key basis scientific formulation resource management policies, which not only helps maintain health stability ecosystem streams Cangshan but valuable reference protection similar around world.

Язык: Английский

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Biology and epibiont community of the red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera, on the southern Great Barrier Reef

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 43(2), С. 455 - 466

Опубликована: Март 5, 2024

Abstract Organismal symbioses are fundamental to biodiversity, evolution, and ecosystem functioning. On coral reefs, many decapod species have formed distinct epibiotic through decoration tendencies that enhance diet, camouflage, defence. The red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera (Majidae: Decapoda), has a broad Indo-Pacific distribution is successful predator of juvenile crown-of-thorns seastars (CoTS; Acanthaster sp.). However, little known the biology decorating S. on Great Barrier Reef (GBR), where CoTS pose ongoing management challenges. We characterised its epibiont community collected in rubble patches southern GBR. predominantly used sponges (94 ± 1%; mean SE) decoration, with greater proportions carapace covered for juveniles (58 5%) females (46 4%) compared males (24 4%). In short-term (8-d) experiments, substantially reduced sponge (31%) algal (47%) cover pieces, demonstrating potential alter sessile communities. close association algae likely reflects diet enhances camouflage chemical defence niche As taxa often noxious, we postulate these may confer resilience plancitoxins consumption CoTS. Evaluating how diversity biochemistry shape habitat associations, distribution, role as prey be important understanding ability mediate densities GBR elsewhere.

Язык: Английский

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Dead foundation species create coral rubble habitat that benefits a resilient pest species

Marine Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 202, С. 106740 - 106740

Опубликована: Сен. 5, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Habitat and distribution of the red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera, a cryptic crown-of-thorns seastar predator

ICES Journal of Marine Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 80(8), С. 2114 - 2124

Опубликована: Сен. 21, 2023

Abstract Cryptic species and their interactions are challenging to describe owing the difficulties in observing sampling populations. Such methodological hurdles critical resolve, especially when important involving poorly described detected. The red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera, is a newfound predator of corallivorous Pacific crown-of-thorns seastar (CoTS; Acanthaster sp.). We discuss Indo-Pacific distribution taxonomy S. aspera provide characterization its cryptic population at sites around Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, that differ CoTS densities. Most (&gt;95%) were found under coral rubble pieces atop existing rubble, associated with large chasmic interstices. three smallest individuals (carapace width: 5–11 mm) overlying sand. Mean density was 0.8 ± 0.2 ind. 100 m−2, which varied among sites. Areas lower records had higher densities (p = 0.002; R2 0.25), justifies evaluation impact this context outbreaks. present method survey decapods on reefs, along microhabitat characteristics help predict reefs prone outbreaks capacity act as natural top-down control mechanism.

Язык: Английский

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