Active coral propagation outcomes on coral communities at high-value Great Barrier Reef tourism sites

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 279, С. 109930 - 109930

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Introduced substrates trigger colonization by reef-associated fish in a degraded coastal system

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 20(1), С. e0317431 - e0317431

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2025

Coastal reefs benefit the survival and growth of mobile organisms by providing shelter increased food availability. Under increasing pressure from human activities, coverage subtidal has decreased along world’s coasts. This decline is motivating efforts to restore these important habitats re-introducing hard substrates into coastal zone. However, many such projects use artificial substrates, as concrete or metal, that are not naturally occurring in marine environment. We experimentally introduced were either historically common a soft sediment-dominated ecosystem, mimicking with biodegradable material, monitored for species (fish invertebrates). Six tested: cockle shells, rocks two sizes (cobbles pebbles), wood, calcium carbonate shell fragments, structures based on potato starch. Within one year, fish prawns already attracted all substrates. On average, nearly five times abundant prawn abundance 30-fold reefs, compared bare sand bottom control. The community composition differed significantly community, but there no differences between types Interestingly, reef-associated fish, also soft-sediment dependent species, different flatfish gobies. Our results show that, even over shorter timespans, introductions provide opportunities support associated communities degraded systems.

Язык: Английский

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Importance‐Performance Evaluation of Coral Reef Conservation in Advancing the Bioeconomy of Marine Tourism in Bali, Indonesia

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(3)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

ABSTRACT This research investigates the interplay between community engagement, psychological factors, and coral reef conservation in context of Bali's marine tourism bioeconomy. By examining drivers such as belief climate change, trust government initiatives, personal experiences with pollution, we show how these social factors shape responses participation conservation. Through use Importance‐Performance Analysis logistic regression models, identify critical that either promote or impede involvement protection efforts. Key indicators assessed included: implementation nurseries, protected areas, public education campaigns, responsible workshops, volunteer programs for cleaning, incentivized actions, local committees, stakeholder engagement sessions. The findings indicated effective management strategies must address not only ecological challenges but also socio‐economic realities. Integrating insights perspectives into efforts is shown to significantly bolster their effectiveness sustainability. study highlights need adaptive approaches are informed by both data feedback, aiming cultivate resilient ecosystems communities face global change.

Язык: Английский

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Fish services to corals: a review of how coral-associated fishes benefit corals

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 2, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Outplanting of branching Acropora enhances recolonization of a fish species and protects massive corals from predation

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 40(5), С. 1549 - 1561

Опубликована: Июль 2, 2021

Abstract Damselfish of the genus Stegastes inhabit territories and cultivate algal gardens on branching corals Acropora , aggressively protecting their from other fish preventing predation upon within territory. This behaviour has important ecological impacts could also be useful in reducing outplanted during reef restoration efforts. However, degree protection predators may depend ability spp. to recolonise or newly established coral colonies. Protection bleaching-resilient massive particular importance due role these maintaining cover following bleaching events. study examined whether presence reduces Porites lutea Mauritian lagoon, readily colonise fragments provide adjacent with indirect predation. Predation levels wild-occurring P. outside were measured. In addition, muricata branches wild colonies territories, recolonisation outplants by monitored. Both sustained less damage compared territories. recolonized A. six months outplanting, doing so returned The inform outplanting efforts systems where are common. Encouraging help reduce potentially improve success rehabilitation

Язык: Английский

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Herbivory through the lens of ecological processes across Pacific coral reefs

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2024

Abstract Coral reefs are in global decline primarily due to climate change. Herbivory is often viewed as key maintaining coral‐dominated reefs, and herbivore management gaining traction a possible strategy for promoting reef resilience. The functional impact of herbivorous fishes has typically been inferred from total biomass, but robust estimates ecological processes needed better inform targets. Here, we provide framework calculate rates herbivory across Pacific reefs. We synthesized available observations foraging metrics relation fish body size found considerable variation, even among closely related species. then applied these allometric functions survey data calculated acanthurids scarines, which make up the vast majority biomass Pacific. Estimated algal consumption, area scraped, bioerosion varied islands, with noticeable differences that may align relative influence human population density underlying groups. no evidence compensatory relationships whereby decreasing one type offset by increasing another. observed nonlinear, positive between herbivory. Yet, given corresponding regions, instances where islands greatest did not also have highest Islands largest classes herbivores consistently exhibit greater herbivory, find clear, consistent pattern number species processes. Cropping Acanthurus spp. provided proportion consumption at every island, yet single accounted this process, whereas identified parrotfish >75% scraping or certain islands. Our results emphasize importance considering composition assemblages when estimating processes, rather than relying on alone. Lastly, highlight gaps additional work further broaden our ability quantify herbivores.

Язык: Английский

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Creation of complex reef structures through coral restoration does not affect associated fish populations on a remote, well-protected, Caribbean reef

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 12, С. e17855 - e17855

Опубликована: Авг. 1, 2024

Coral reef ecosystems are facing severe degradation due to anthropogenic activities at both local and global scales. In response, extensive restoration efforts underway, aiming bolster coral cover enhance fish communities foster facilitation between corals. This reciprocal relationship is anticipated improve overall efficacy resilience in the face of warming. Here, we investigate impact using out-planted

Язык: Английский

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Impacts of “Reef Star” coral restoration on multiple metrics of habitat complexity

Restoration Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 16, 2024

Coral reefs face threats from climate change and local pressures that lead to reductions in their physical structure, impacting biodiversity by limiting habitat availability. Despite many efforts actively restore damaged reefs, few projects provide thorough evaluations of success. This study measured the success “Reef Star” method at Mars Reef Restoration Project Indonesia reestablishing structure reef habitats were destroyed blast fishing. We used photogrammetry surveys measure 17 large sites (1000 m 2 each), calculating three complementary measures small‐ large‐scale complexity across degraded, restored, naturally healthy coral reefs. demonstrate restoration have successfully restored small‐scale complexity, as described surface metrics (3.22 ± 0.27 on reefs; 2.85 0.26 reefs) fractal dimension (2.27 0.02 2.24 reefs). demonstrates capacity for recover important ecosystem functions are lost degradation. However, while has delivered some increases compared degraded still exhibit lower values maximum vertical relief than due a lack structures. available might impact fish populations, meaning with limited may only support restricted range functions. Effective strategies must use mixture different methods target recovery structural multiple scales.

Язык: Английский

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Coral predation and implications for restoration of Kenyan reefs: The effects of site selection, coral species and fisheries management

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 566, С. 151924 - 151924

Опубликована: Июль 6, 2023

Active coral reef restoration is increasingly applied for local management, but remains hampered by biological interactions such as predation (corallivory). To determine factors that drive corallivory and develop more ecology-based approaches, corallivore communities were characterized fish bite mark densities quantified on natural colonies fragments outplanted small artificial structures. Six study sites distributed equally among three levels of fisheries management at southern Kenyan reefs (fished < reserve no-take). Obligate corallivorous strongly correlated with cover regardless level, whereas facultative (mainly parrotfish) most abundant in no-take zones. High snail associated low diversity sea stars scarce. Bite clearly higher branching corals, did not correlate to cover, or densities. Compared colonies, pressure was up 24-fold greater especially fierce inside This high live tissue fragments. These results demonstrate often targeted restoration, do necessarily experience improved outplanting methods species considerations are needed address The interplay between warrants further scrutiny: while obligate unlikely detrimental recovery, could hamper efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Biomass of key grazing fishes is an important determinant of coral growth and fouling control in coral nurseries

Restoration Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 31(8)

Опубликована: Июль 14, 2023

Restoration is an emerging tool for coral reef conservation, yet despite small‐scale successes there are concerns about high costs and ecological setbacks. Integration between ecology restoration could help address such concerns. A prime example the use of grazing by herbivores to reduce nursery cleaning costs. However, relation herbivore communities benefits remains unquantified. This study aimed measure links herbivorous fish communities, intensity performance. Six reefs were selected in southern Kenya, equally divided across three levels fisheries management (fished < reserve no‐take). Fish surveys determined biomass composition, remote underwater videos recorded on nurseries. Accumulated fouling growth measured at end 4‐month study. Grazing was sixfold lower density fourfold higher fished areas compared protected zones. Higher strongly correlated with growth: exponential constants respectively twice times as low marine reserves no‐take Across sites dominated bristletooth tangs ( Ctenochaetus spp.), except where these outcompeted territorial damselfish. Thus, better performance can be partially linked intensity, which turn both local species composition. We recommend protecting placing nurseries key grazers improve maintenance

Язык: Английский

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