Studying functions on coral reefs: past perspectives, current conundrums, and future potential

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 43(2), С. 281 - 297

Опубликована: Фев. 24, 2024

Abstract Function-based studies have opened a new chapter in our understanding of coral reefs. Unfortunately, we are opening this as the world’s reefs rapidly transform. In context, one most important roles function-based is to inform reef conservation. At critical juncture, chance reflect on where come from, and going, functional ecology, with specific consideration what means for approaches conserving As focal examples, examine role corals reefs, practice culling crown-of-thorns starfish, from perspective. We also consider how papers special issue build current understanding. Ultimately, highlight robust scientific investigation, based an ecosystem functions, will be key helping us navigate through crisis.

Язык: Английский

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Changing dynamics of Great Barrier Reef hard coral cover in the Anthropocene

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 43(3), С. 747 - 762

Опубликована: Май 14, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Palaeontological signatures of the Anthropocene are distinct from those of previous epochs

Earth-Science Reviews, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 255, С. 104844 - 104844

Опубликована: Июнь 21, 2024

The "Great Acceleration" of the mid-20th century provides causal mechanism Anthropocene, which has been proposed as a new epoch geological time beginning in 1952 CE. Here we identify key parameters and their diagnostic palaeontological signals including rapid breakdown discrete biogeographical ranges for marine terrestrial species, changes to ecologies resulting from climate change ecological degradation, spread exotic foodstuffs beyond range, accumulation reconfigured forest materials such medium density fibreboard (MDF) all being symptoms Great Acceleration. We show: 1) how Anthropocene successions North America, South Africa, Oceania, Europe, Asia can be correlated using signatures highly invasive species that demonstrate growing interconnectivity human systems; 2) unique depositional settings landfills may concentrate remains organisms far geographical range environmental tolerance; 3) preserve long-lived, record within post-mid-20th deposits. Collectively these provide global signature is distinct past records deep-time biotic change, those Holocene.

Язык: Английский

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The hydrodynamics of Lizard Island lagoon, Great Barrier Reef

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 43(4), С. 881 - 897

Опубликована: Июнь 2, 2024

Abstract Hydrodynamic processes are a major driver for marine systems, linking organisms with their environment. However, lack of hydrodynamic data at an ecologically relevant spatial resolution has stymied our understanding reef function, as exemplified by Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef. To address this gap, 23 to 27 Marotte HS current meters were deployed over three periods, collecting 15 months velocity data. Combining these wind and tide datasets, we provide preliminary description circulation in lagoon, examining influence, flushing time. During south-easterly trade winds, flood tides flow through Lagoon Entrance, while wind-induced waves cross Bird-South crest, driving north-westerly Loomis Channel across western lagoon. Ebb east–south-east Entrance south-west Palfrey-South channel. Tides contribute mean 20.4% overall speed, particularly deeper sites less interference, shallow more influenced wind. lagoon times ranged from few hours 10 days; longer during periods low speeds. Hindcast 2016 coral bleaching event (following 8 Degree Heating Weeks) approximately 22 h, suggesting that time likely had minimal influence bleaching. Our analyses initial insights into system aid potential relationships between physical environment, bridging gap ecology hydrodynamics.

Язык: Английский

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Coral recruitment in mesophotic coral ecosystems is lower and taxonomically distinct from shallow environments at Reunion Island, southwestern Indian Ocean

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 5, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Going with the flow: Leveraging reef‐scale hydrodynamics for upscaling larval‐based restoration

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(3)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Abstract Anthropogenic pressures are impacting coastal marine ecosystems, necessitating large‐scale interventions to accelerate recovery. Propagule‐based restoration holds the potential for restoring shallow systems at hectare scales by harnessing natural dispersal. However, predicting propagule dispersal remains challenging due complex hydrodynamic nature of ecosystems and behaviors propagules. To improve predictions fine‐scale larval patterns, we developed a 3D reef‐scale (~30‐m resolution) model Lizard Island, Australia, with aim predict effect island‐scale hydrodynamics on distribution coral spawn slicks larvae. Using in situ field observations simulations, assessed model's capability (1) forecast conditions, (2) slick convergence zones collection efforts, (3) identify optimal locations timeframes where high particle residence time may enhance local settlement following delivery damaged reefs. Predictions upper water column aligned well slicks. At reef benthos, captured variability current speed direction ~58% studied locations. other locations, did not resolve conditions sheltering effects associated processes occurring scale below 50 m. performed well, propagules could remain within 1‐ha area around site 5–15 h depending timing release. These retention were infrequent but occurred least once 15 25 sites. Observations currents posteriori confirmed predictions, showing periods little movement lasting from 6.5 h. Overall, our study highlights modeling as key tool scaling up larval‐based restoration, while also acknowledging need better complex, environments. Applications modeling, coupled knowledge reproductive behavioral ecology, assist mass upon release identifying areas times deployment achieve greatest impact.

Язык: Английский

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Harnessing Multiscale Topographic Environmental Variables for Regional Coral Species Distribution Models

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Effective biodiversity conservation requires knowledge of species' distributions across large areas, yet prevalence data for marine sessile species is scarce, with traditional variables often unavailable at appropriate temporal and spatial resolutions. As organism generally depend on terrain heterogeneity, topographic derived from digital elevation models (DEMs) can be useful proxies in ecological modelling, given Here, we use three reef‐building Acropora coral the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, a case study to (1) assess high‐resolution bathymetry DEM sources accuracy, (2) harness their regional distribution (SDMs), (3) develop transferable framework produce, select integrate multi‐resolution into models. For this, obtained processed distinct bathymetric depth that treat as DEMs, which are available GBR extent: (i) Allen Coral Atlas (ACA) 10 m, (ii) DeepReef 30 m (iii) 100 m. We generalised DEMs multiple nested resolutions (15 m–120 m) same eight SDM sensitivity source resolution. The ACA shared similar vertical accuracies, each producing relevant SDMs. Slope vector ruggedness measure (VRM), capturing hydrodynamic movement shelter or exposure, were most SDMs all species. Interestingly, finest resolution not always accurate SDMs, optimal between 15 60 depending variable type Using provided nuanced insights multiscale drivers distributions. Drawing this study, provide practical facilitate adoption better‐informed management planning.

Язык: Английский

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Pioneer generation shapes long-term recovery of coral populations

Research Square (Research Square), Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 12, 2025

Reef recovery following a disturbance largely depends on successful coral recruitment and the absence of chronic stressors. However, recent events show increasing homogenization, with dominant species replacing high diversity that once characterized these ecosystems. In this study, we analysed nine-year dataset (2012–2020) describing reef towards Pocillopora-dominated state in Taiwan devastating typhoon. Tracking eight cohorts, assessed growth, survival reproduction. Pocillopora peaked during first three years, but mortality surged fourth year. The initial generation had highest rates, while by fifth year, newly settled individuals failed to survive beyond two years. By 2020, 83% consisted corals from 2012–2016, 38% originating alone (2012). This pioneer was primary contributor growth reproduction, emphasizing reef's reliance early settlers, leading an ageing community. While generations were critical recovery, their dominance may have driven gradual loss biodiversity. Our findings highlight importance development underscores risk only few after recovery.

Язык: Английский

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Patterns in the chaos: Scale and the spatiotemporal dynamics of coral reef fish assemblages on the Great Barrier Reef

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

Abstract In the Anthropocene, understanding and managing ecological communities requires characterization of natural spatiotemporal ecosystem dynamics. Complex ecosystems may appear chaotic unstructured, making long‐term monitoring programs with hierarchical sampling designs ideal for investigating patterns at multiple scales. Here, we use a dataset spanning entire Great Barrier Reef (GBR) decades to determine spatial distribution abundance, how these change through time, in 233 reef‐associated fish species. Community composition was strongly structured by position across continental shelf, distinct inner outer shelf assemblages. Latitudinal differences were smaller, except distinctive assemblages southernmost Swain Capricorn‐Bunker regions. GBR‐wide summaries total density species richness did not show directional shifts, it only after analyzing metrics subregional scale that wider range temporal oscillations identified, indicating responses perturbations require examination smaller than GBR Within most subregions (65%), has undergone clear ongoing shift away from community identified 1990s. These changes generally due reduction numbers coral‐dependent an increased dominance grazers generalists. Among species, there have been more “winners” “losers” whole GBR, but this masks tendency reefs central over time. on are dynamic recovery potential disturbance events. Despite some pervasive community‐level shifts last decades, biogeographic characteristics each subregion remain intact. We pose question whether is reasonable expect highly reach relatively stable “climax community,” posit answer scale‐dependent and, currently resolved scale, which stakeholders decision‐makers operate.

Язык: Английский

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Chemosensory behaviour of juvenile crown-of-thorns sea star ( Acanthaster sp.), attraction to algal and coral food and avoidance of adult conspecifics

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 291(2023)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Intraspecific and habitat-mediated responses to chemical cues play key roles in structuring populations of marine species. We investigated the behaviour herbivorous-stage juvenile crown-of-thorns sea stars (COTS;

Язык: Английский

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