A systematic review of artificial reefs as platforms for coral reef research and conservation

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 17(1), С. e0261964 - e0261964

Опубликована: Янв. 21, 2022

Artificial reefs (ARs) have been used on coral for ecological research, conservation, and socio-cultural purposes since the 1980s. We examined spatio-temporal patterns in AR deployment tropical subtropical (up to 35° latitude) evaluated their efficacy meeting conservation objectives, using a systematic review of scientific literature. Most deployments (136 studies) were North Atlantic Central Indo-Pacific 1980s – 2000s, with pronounced shift Western 2010s. Use ARs reef restoration or stressor mitigation increased markedly response accelerating decline over last 2 decades. Studies that success objectives (n = 51) commonly reported increasing fish abundance (55%), enhancing habitat quantity (31%) cover (27%), conserving target species (24%). Other included (22%), provision nursery (14%) source populations (2%) addressing economic values (16%). Fish (55% (53%) most monitored taxa. Success achieving was 33 studies. rates highest (each 71%). Increasing quantity, mitigating environmental impacts, attaining moderately successful (60–64%); least (42%). Failure attributed poor design disruption by large-scale bleaching events. The scale generally too small (m –10s m ) address regional losses cover, study duration short (< 5 years) adequately assess ecologically relevant trends community composition. are mostly likely aid providing recruitment substrate corals other organisms. Promoting local also has potential global impact awareness decline, if prioritized properly monitored.

Язык: Английский

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The effect of reef morphology on coral recruitment at multiple spatial scales

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 121(4)

Опубликована: Янв. 8, 2024

Coral reefs are in decline worldwide, making it increasingly important to promote coral recruitment new or degraded habitat. reef morphology—the structural form of substrate—affects many aspects function, yet the effect morphology on is not well understood. We used structure-from-motion photogrammetry and airborne remote sensing measure (rugosity, curvature, slope, fractal dimension) across a broad continuum spatial scales evaluated three broadcast-spawning genera. also measured other environmental biotic factors such as fish density, adult cover, hydrodynamic larval import, depth recruitment. All variables combined explained 72% study region. Coarse rugosity curvature mapped at ≥2 m resolution—such large colonies, knolls, boulders—were positively correlated with recruitment, explaining 22% variation Morphology finer (≤32 cm resolution) was significant. Hydrodynamic import related Porites Montipora spp., grazer density linked significantly lower all In addition, morphology, had differential effects genera, reflecting genus-specific life history traits, model performance gonochoric species. Overall, key indicator potential that can be detected by sensing, allowing sinks identified factored into restoration actions.

Язык: Английский

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Restoration of herbivory on Caribbean coral reefs: are fishes, urchins, or crabs the solution?

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11

Опубликована: Март 18, 2024

That coral reefs are in decline worldwide, particularly the Caribbean, will come as no surprise. This decades-long has reached a potential tipping point weight of effects climate change have decidedly to bear on planet’s most diverse marine ecosystem. Whether can persist without restorative intervention is debatable, which prompted surge reef restoration projects focusing primarily cultivation and transplantation fragments onto degraded reefs. But that widespread approach does little address underlying causes loss, one proliferation macroalgae deleterious corals. An emerging solution this problem enhancement herbivory through improved management herbivores, artificial herbivore settlement, or their mariculture subsequent stocking. review explores nuances biology well-studied Caribbean herbivores (fishes, sea urchins, crabs) it relates investigates promise stocking strategy. Fish, urchin, crab differ appreciably life histories, confers advantages disadvantages with respect effectiveness grazers. Mariculture herbivorous fish for essentially non-existent so reestablishment grazing abundance focuses protection fishery regulations, but only at few locations Caribbean. urchins crabs purposes its infancy, promising especially whose larval rearing less difficult. Perhaps biggest challenge either taxon “scaling-up” from research settings large-scale needed Numerous studies extol benefits functional redundancy complementarity ecosystem stability, whether principal applies function untested. We identify gaps our knowledge best practices conclude some practical guidance establishment targets macroalgal reduction, along strategic advice grazer given habitat.

Язык: Английский

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Developing best practices for the restoration of massive corals and the mitigation of predation impacts: influences of physical protection, colony size, and genotype on outplant mortality

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 40(4), С. 1227 - 1241

Опубликована: Июнь 16, 2021

Язык: Английский

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From individuals to communities: Habitat complexity affects all levels of organization in aquatic environments

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 9(1)

Опубликована: Дек. 15, 2021

Abstract Habitat complexity describes a wide array of spatial distribution patterns physical structures in habitats. It affects aquatic ecosystems on multiple levels from individuals (e.g., foraging behavior) to species interactions predation, prey selection) and entire communities biodiversity, food web structure). We present conceptual framework classify these effects use it summarize recent advances the field. identify three main research gaps limitations preventing full synthesis habitat ecosystems. is often characterized using ad hoc measures, which limits cross‐experimental comparison meta‐analytical modeling approaches. The can also involve feedback loops lower organization including itself. Such ecological feedbacks influence formation amplify or mitigate direct loss simplification restoration populations communities, yet are surprisingly little understood. Finally, most studies examine presence‐absence scale. This our ability recognize nonlinear responses across gradients, occur many contexts Since stabilize destabilize population community dynamics, we call for higher resolution future studies. conclude that currently degraded habitats offer exciting opportunities combining restorative efforts with could combine multi‐level experiments monitoring improve understanding role article categorized under: Water Life > Nature Freshwater Ecosystems Conservation, Management, Awareness

Язык: Английский

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Community-managed coral reef restoration in southern Kenya initiates reef recovery using various artificial reef designs

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 10

Опубликована: Апрель 6, 2023

Monitoring of reef restoration efforts and artificial reefs (ARs) has typically been limited to coral fragment survival, hampering evaluation broader objectives such as ecosystem recovery. This study aimed determine what extent AR design influences the ecological recovery restored by monitoring outplanted fragments, benthic cover, recruitment fish invertebrate communities for two years. Four designs (16 m 2 ), unrestored controls natural patches reference (n = 10) were established in Mkwiro, Kenya. ARs consisted either concrete disks with bottles, layered disks, metal cages or a combination thereof. A mixture 18 branching species (mainly Acropora spp.) was on at density 7 corals -2 . After years, 60% all fragments had survived, already resulting cover most comparable (though -dominated) patches. Coral survival differed between ARs, highest due absence crown-of-thorns sea star predation this design. In total, 32 genera recruited recruit densities patches, moderate low cages. featured nearly twice richness around an order magnitude higher abundance biomass compared control Fish strongly correlated ARs. AR, distinct compositions, but similar terms trophic structure their communities. Motile invertebrates including gastropods, urchins, cucumbers stars present generally more abundant diverse Taken together, studied parameters progressed towards recovery, varying material. We recommend promote high well recruitment. Ultimately, longer period is needed fully effectiveness conservation tool support

Язык: Английский

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What are the toxicity thresholds of chemical pollutants for tropical reef-building corals? A systematic review

Environmental Evidence, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 12(1)

Опубликована: Март 19, 2023

Tropical coral reefs cover only ca. 0.1% of the Earth's surface but harbour exceptional marine biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services to millions people living nearby. They are currently threatened by global (e.g. climate change) local chemical pollution) stressors that interact in multiple ways. While cannot be mitigated actions alone, can reduced through management. Here, we aimed systematically review experimental studies assessing toxicity pollutants tropical reef-building corals generate accessible usable knowledge data used calculate measurement endpoints ecological risk assessment. From quantitative estimates effects, determined thresholds as highest exposures tested at which no statistically significant adverse effects were observed, compared them regulatory predicted effect concentrations for protection organisms, assess whether these reference values indeed protective corals.

Язык: Английский

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Not seafood but seafood: A review on cell-based cultured seafood in lieu of conventional seafood

Food Control, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 162, С. 110472 - 110472

Опубликована: Март 25, 2024

Worldwide demand for the seafood is increasing due to ongoing population increase. Meeting of that with environmentally sustainable and good quality suffering reliance on traditional aquaculture fishing methods insufficient supply demand. Therefore, it crucial use modern technology, like cell-based cultured seafood, produce seafood. In addition addressing food shortage, produced through these advanced technologies plays an important role in various environmental, health, welfare, ethical concerns associated aquaculture. This includes combating issues such as pollution, severe illnesses cancer cardiovascular diseases, zoonotic problem overfishing. Although trend has been established several years, not grown much meat manufacturing widely discussed. Consequently, improve production substitute necessary understand overcome limitations challenges technologies.

Язык: Английский

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Intra-habitat structural complexity drives the distribution of fish trait groups on coral reefs

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 142, С. 109266 - 109266

Опубликована: Авг. 11, 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) habitat complexity is a primary driver of organism distribution and community structure across ecosystems. Identifying the specific metrics spatial scales at which functionally important for communities therefore critical component in forecasting ecosystem function. Here we pair fish species traits with multiple from photogrammetry to evaluate most measures 3D driving ecological functions within one structurally diverse ecosystems on planet: coral reefs. From May July 2019, collected high-resolution (1 cm) large- small-scale intra-habitat (25 m2) structural data eight reefscapes (∼2500 conducted co-located functional group surveys Florida Keys, FL, USA. We used hierarchical clustering analysis 80 observed by four related use (social level, body size, crypsis, activity period) feeding guild generate mechanistic predictions about fish-habitat relationships. Evaluating relationships between resulting trait-based groups (k = 9) (large-scale vertical relief, vector ruggedness [VRM], VRM deviation, profile curvature) revealed that trait respond independently various reef complexity. While large-scale (relief) strongly presence solitary, cryptic, nocturnal carnivores, likely due prey availability as well day-time refuge opportunities, herbivore abundance unaffected increasing potentially predator avoidance. Instead, gregarious (i.e., schooling) herbivores increase measured deviation reefscapes, while less only when these same occur low-relief habitat, possibly tradeoff grazing resource visibility. Our results reveal how unique elements provided both biotic benthic features like relief are differentially groups. The general identified using provide framework predicting responses changes reefs globally. work illustrates preserving protecting or augmenting (e.g., via restoration) structure-forming organisms can support organismal overall productivity.

Язык: Английский

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Greater Consideration of Animals Will Enhance Coastal Restoration Outcomes

BioScience, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 72(11), С. 1088 - 1098

Опубликована: Сен. 13, 2022

As efforts to restore coastal habitats accelerate, it is critical that investments are targeted most effectively mitigate and reverse habitat loss its impacts on biodiversity. One likely but largely overlooked impediment effective restoration of habitat-forming organisms failing explicitly consider non-habitat-forming animals in planning, implementation, monitoring. These can greatly enhance or degrade ecosystem function, persistence, resilience. Bivalves, for instance, reduce sulfide stress seagrass increase drought tolerance saltmarsh vegetation, whereas megaherbivores detrimentally overgraze improve seed germination, depending the context. Therefore, understanding when, why, how directly manipulate support outcomes. In this expanded approach, we provide a conceptual framework, incorporating lessons from structured decision-making, describe potential actions could lead better outcomes using case studies illustrate practical approaches.

Язык: Английский

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