Coral Reef Ecosystems under Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 4

Опубликована: Май 29, 2017

Coral reefs are found in a wide range of environments, where they provide food and habitat to large organisms as well other ecological goods services. Warm-water coral reefs, for example, occupy shallow sunlit, warm alkaline waters order grow calcify at the high rates necessary build maintain their calcium carbonate structures. At deeper locations (40 – 150 m), "mesophotic" (low light) accumulate much lower (if all some cases) yet remain important organisms, including those fisheries. Finally, even deeper, down 2000 m or more, so-called 'cold-water' dark depths. Despite importance, facing significant challenges from human activities pollution, over-harvesting, physical destruction, climate change. In latter case, greenhouse gas emission scenarios (such Representative Concentration Pathway RCP 4.5) likely drive elimination most warm-water by 2040-2050. Cold-water corals also threatened warming temperatures ocean acidification although evidence direct effect change is less clear. Evidence that can adapt which sufficient them keep up with rapid minimal, especially given long-lived hence have slow evolution. Conclusions will migrate higher latitudes equally unfounded, observations tropical species appearing 'necessary but not sufficient' entire reef ecosystems shifting. On contrary, degrade rapidly over next 20 years, presenting fundamental 500 million people who derive food, income, coastal protection, services reefs. Unless advances goals Paris Climate Change Agreement occur decade, hundreds millions face increasing amounts poverty social disruption, and, cases, regional insecurity.

Язык: Английский

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Stable Isotope Turnover and Half-Life in Animal Tissues: A Literature Synthesis

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2015, Номер 10(1), С. e0116182 - e0116182

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2015

Stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur are used as ecological tracers for a variety applications, such studies animal migrations, energy sources, food web pathways. Yet uncertainty relating to the time period integrated by isotopic measurement tissues can confound interpretation data. There have been large number experimental diet shift aimed at quantifying tissue turnover rate λ (%·day-1, often expressed half-life, ln(2)/λ, days). no evaluated or summarized many individual half-life estimates in an effort both seek broad-scale patterns characterize degree variability. Here, we collect previously published estimates, examine how is related body size, test tissue- taxa-varying allometric relationships. Half-life generally increases with mass, longer muscle blood compared plasma internal organs. was longest ecotherms, followed mammals, finally birds. For ectotherms, different taxa-tissue combinations had similar slopes that matched predictions metabolic theory. ectotherms be approximated as: ln (half-life) = 0.22*ln (body mass) + group-specific intercept; n 261, p<0.0001, r2 0.63. endothermic groups, relationships mass were weak model intercepts heterogeneous. While using simple some taxa types, there also high unexplained variation our models. Our study highlights several strong general patterns, though accurate prediction from readily available variables remains elusive.

Язык: Английский

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Deep reefs are not universal refuges: Reseeding potential varies among coral species

Science Advances, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 3(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 3, 2017

Deep coral reefs (that is, mesophotic ecosystems) can act as refuges against major disturbances affecting shallow reefs. It has been proposed that, through the provision of propagules, such deep may aid in reef recovery; however, this "reseeding" hypothesis remains largely untested. We conducted a genome-wide assessment two scleractinian species with contrasting reproductive modes, to assess potential for connectivity between (40 m) and (12 depths on an isolated system Western Atlantic (Bermuda). To overcome pervasive issue endosymbiont contamination associated de novo sequencing corals, we used novel subtraction reference approach. have demonstrated that strong depth-associated selection led divergence brooding Agaricia fragilis (with by depth exceeding location). Despite introgression from into populations, lack first-generation migrants indicates effective over ecological time scales is extremely limited thus precludes reseeding refuges. In contrast, no genetic structuring (or locations) was observed broadcasting Stephanocoenia intersepta, indicating substantial vertical connectivity. Our findings demonstrate within same differ greatly Bermuda apply only small number species. Overall, argue "deep refuge hypothesis" holds individual during episodic but should not be assumed broader ecosystem-wide phenomenon.

Язык: Английский

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The Future of Coral Reefs Subject to Rapid Climate Change: Lessons from Natural Extreme Environments

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 5

Опубликована: Фев. 2, 2018

Global climate change and localised anthropogenic stressors are driving rapid declines in coral reef health. In vitro experiments have been fundamental providing insight into how organisms will potentially respond to future climates. However, such inevitably limited their ability reproduce the complex interactions that govern systems. Studies examining communities already persist under naturally-occurring extreme marginal physicochemical conditions therefore become increasingly popular advance ecosystem scale predictions of form function, although no single site provides a perfect analogue reefs. Here we review current state knowledge exists on distribution corals environments, geographic sites at latitudinal extremes growth, as well variety shallow systems reef-neighbouring environments (including upwelling CO2 vent sites). We also conduct synthesis abiotic data collected these systems, provide first collective assessment range which currently persist. use increase our understanding biological ecological mechanisms facilitate survival success sub-optimal conditions. This comprehensive can begin to: (i) highlight extent scenarios persist, (ii) explore whether there commonalities taxa able extremes, (iii) evidence for key required support and/or persistence environmental conditions, iv) evaluate potential act refugia changing Such approach is critical better understand environment. finally outline priority areas research discuss additional management options they may through refuge or by genetic stocks stress tolerant proactive strategies.

Язык: Английский

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Theme section on mesophotic coral ecosystems: advances in knowledge and future perspectives

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 35(1), С. 1 - 9

Опубликована: Фев. 8, 2016

Язык: Английский

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The Microbial Signature Provides Insight into the Mechanistic Basis of Coral Success across Reef Habitats

mBio, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 7(4)

Опубликована: Июль 27, 2016

ABSTRACT For ecosystems vulnerable to environmental change, understanding the spatiotemporal stability of functionally crucial symbioses is fundamental determining mechanisms by which these may persist. The coral Pachyseris speciosa a successful generalist that succeeds in diverse reef habitats. nature this suggests it have capacity form significant microbial partnerships facilitate access range nutritional sources within different Here, we propose metaorganism hosting three distinct interactions: ubiquitous core microbiome very few symbiotic host-selected bacteria, spatially and/or regionally explicit microbes filling functional niches (<100 phylotypes), and highly variable bacterial community responsive biotic abiotic processes across spatial temporal scales (>100,000 phylotypes). We find hosts upwards 170,000 phylotypes provide evidence for persistence select group bacteria corals habitats Great Barrier Reef Coral Sea. further show higher number are consistently associated with on mesophotic reefs than shallow reefs. An increase diversity depth reliance nutrient acquisition exposed upwelling. Understanding complex communities host organisms broad environments as microbiomes can insight into those interactions niche competitive advantage hosts’ environment. IMPORTANCE Corals been proposed most biosphere. high variability has hampered identification playing key roles contribute survival. Exploring distribution, found present all (60 80 m). These results consistent coral-bacterial support consideration metaorganisms microbiomes: microbiome, niches, community.

Язык: Английский

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Rethinking the Coral Microbiome: Simplicity Exists within a Diverse Microbial Biosphere

mBio, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 9(5)

Опубликована: Окт. 8, 2018

We propose that the coral holobiont should be conceptualized as a diverse transient microbial community is responsive to surrounding environment and encompasses simple, redundant, resident microbiome small conserved core microbiome. Most importantly, we show comparable microbiomes of other organisms studied thus far. Accurately characterizing coral-microbe interactions provides an important baseline from which functional roles niches within microbes reside can deciphered.

Язык: Английский

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A comprehensive investigation of mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Hawaiian Archipelago

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 4, С. e2475 - e2475

Опубликована: Окт. 4, 2016

Although the existence of coral-reef habitats at depths to 165 m in tropical regions has been known for decades, richness, diversity, and ecological importance mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) only recently become widely acknowledged. During an interdisciplinary effort spanning more than two we characterized most expansive MCEs ever recorded, with vast macroalgal communities areas 100% cover between 50-90 extending tens km2 Hawaiian Archipelago. We used a variety sensors techniques establish geophysical characteristics. Biodiversity patterns were established from visual video observations collected specimens obtained submersible, remotely operated vehicles mixed-gas SCUBA rebreather dives. Population dynamics based on age, growth fecundity estimates selected fish species laser-videogrammetry, specimens, otolith preparations. Trophic determined using carbon nitrogen stable isotopic analyses 750 reef fishes. are associated clear water suitable substrate. In comparison shallow reefs Archipelago, inhabitants have lower total harbor new unique species, higher rates endemism Fish present similar population trophic (except benthic invertivores) structures high genetic connectivity depths. Hawai'i widespread but specific High genetic, potential serve as refugia some our results question premise that resilient reefs. found within increases depth, do not support suggestions global faunal break 60 m. Our findings enhance scientific foundations conservation management MCEs, provide template future research worldwide.

Язык: Английский

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Light, Temperature, Photosynthesis, Heterotrophy, and the Lower Depth Limits of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems

Coral reefs of the world, Год журнала: 2019, Номер unknown, С. 801 - 828

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2019

Язык: Английский

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Adaptation to reef habitats through selection on the coral animal and its associated microbiome

Molecular Ecology, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 27(14), С. 2956 - 2971

Опубликована: Июнь 14, 2018

Abstract Spatially adjacent habitats on coral reefs can represent highly distinct environments, often harbouring different communities. Yet, certain species thrive across divergent environments. It is unknown whether the forces of selection are sufficiently strong to overcome counteracting effects typically high gene flow over short distances, and for local adaptation occur. We screened genome (using restriction site‐associated sequencing) characterized both dinoflagellate photosymbiont‐ tissue‐associated prokaryote microbiomes metabarcoding) a reef flat slope population reef‐building coral, Pocillopora damicornis , at two locations Heron Island in southern Great Barrier Reef. Reef populations were separated by <100 m horizontally ~5 vertically, study ~1 km. For host, genetic divergence between was much greater than locations, suggesting limited populations. Consistent with environmental selection, outlier loci primarily belonged conserved, minimal cellular stress response, likely reflecting temperature irradiance regimes slope. The community differed habitat and, lesser extent, location, whereas photosymbionts but not location. observed intraspecific diversity associated supports that involves multiple members holobiont. Adaptive alleles or microbial associations present from environmentally variable may provide source adaptive variation assisted evolution approaches, through flow, artificial cross‐breeding probiotic inoculations, aim increase climate resilience

Язык: Английский

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