Transcriptomic signatures across a critical sedimentation threshold in a major reef-building coral DOI Creative Commons
Colin Lock,

Melissa M. Gabriel,

Bastian Bentlage

и другие.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Ноя. 8, 2023

Abstract Sedimentation is a major cause of global near-shore coral reef decline. While negative impacts sedimentation on community composition have been well documented, the effects metabolism in situ received comparatively little attention. Using transcriptomics, we identified gene expression patterns changing across previously defined threshold that was deemed critical due to changes cover and composition. We genes, pathways, molecular processes associated with this transition may allow corals, such as Porites lobata , tolerate chronic, severe persist turbid environments. Alternative energy generation pathways help maintain persistent stress response survive while light oxygen availability are diminished. found evidence for genes linked increased environmental sensing cellular communication likely efficiently respond pathogen challenges. Cell damage increases under stress; consequently, apoptosis over-represented sedimentation, consequence damaged cell removal colony integrity. The results presented here provide framework field conditions. Testing its related hypotheses using multi-omics approaches can further our understanding metabolic plasticity acclimation potential corals their resilience systems.

Язык: Английский

Impacts of unpaved roads on runoff and erosion in a dry tropical setting: Isla De Culebra, Puerto Rico DOI
Carlos E. Ramos‐Scharrón, Peter McLaughlin,

Yasiel Figueroa-Sánchez

и другие.

Journal of Soils and Sediments, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 24(3), С. 1420 - 1430

Опубликована: Фев. 13, 2024

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

5
Land-Based Sources of Pollution Impacts on Coral Reefs in American Samoa DOI
Joy N. Smith, Juliette Verstaen, Andrew A. Shantz

и другие.

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Runoff generation in ephemeral streams of the Virgin Islands: The case of Salt River, St. Croix DOI
David A. Hensley, Thorsten Knappenberger, Brittany V. Lancellotti

и другие.

Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 59, С. 102372 - 102372

Опубликована: Апрель 8, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Coral Reef Calculus: Nature’s Equation for Pollution Control DOI Open Access
Vasileios Alevizos, Zongliang Yue,

Sabrina Edralin

и другие.

Water, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 17(8), С. 1210 - 1210

Опубликована: Апрель 18, 2025

Coral reefs play an essential ecological role in maintaining marine water quality by naturally filtering contaminants. This study investigates the quantitative capability of coral reef ecosystems to reduce waterborne pollutants using biologically mediated processes. A systematic methodology, combining situ observations, laboratory simulations, and analytical modeling, was adopted determine filtration efficiency reefs. Remote sensing photogrammetry characterized morphology, while microbial consortia transformations polyp assimilation rates were quantified biochemical assays. Results demonstrated significant nutrient uptake polyps, particularly nitrogenous compounds, with higher removal efficiencies under stable salinity conditions. Temperature-induced stress found functionality. Enhanced sediment attenuation near structures improved coastal transparency. The integration vegetation buffers adjacent further augmented pollutant efficiency, combined strategies for effective pollution management.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
The Long and Winding Road of Coral Reef Recovery in the Anthropocene: A Case Study from Puerto Rico DOI Creative Commons
Edwin A. Hernández‐Delgado, María F. Ortiz-Flores

Diversity, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 14(10), С. 804 - 804

Опубликована: Сен. 27, 2022

The persistence and resilience of marginal shallow coral reefs at their limits environmental tolerance have declined due to chronic degradation climate change. However, the consequences for natural recovery ability disturbance remain poorly understood. This study considered potential through recruitment on fringing across different geographic regions under contrasting conditions in Puerto Rico. Reefs areas with significant water quality more severe physical impacts hurricanes were expected lower recruit density diversity, therefore less recovery. Sixteen assessed three regions. Degraded sustained a percentage live cover had higher macroalgae turf algae abundance. Locations affected by high PO4, NH3+ optical brightness concentrations, turbidity, sea surface temperature anomalies, chlorophyll-a concentration light attenuation Kd490 evidenced significantly diversity. Hurricane-decimated also exhibited impoverished assemblages. Low could important long-term implications projected change level rise, particularly coastal urban habitats. There is need implement effective conservation, ecological restoration community participation strategies that facilitate enhanced success assisted processes.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

12
Three Decades of Road and Trail Runoff andErosion Work in the Northeastern Caribbean –a Research Program Perspective DOI Open Access

Carlos E. Ramos Scharron,

Efrain E. Alicea,

Yasiel Figueroa Sanchez

и другие.

Journal of the ASABE, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 66(1), С. 35 - 45

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Highlights The infiltration capacities of unsurfaced roadways are frequently exceeded by rain intensity, promoting overland flow. Erosion rates from and cut slopes 10 1 to 4 times greater than on undisturbed hillslopes. Roads in steep, subtropical wet terranes may increase landslide erosion a factor 5 relative areas without roads. hydro-geomorphic impact roads is so prominent that they must be explicitly considered watershed assessments. ABSTRACT. key environmental concern the northeastern Caribbean because it can diminish soil productivity, damage infrastructure, threaten human life. Additionally, sediment released delivered streams where degrade water quality aquatic habitat, reduce reservoir storage capacity, critical marine resources such as sea grass beds coral reefs. Road has been region since 1990s, considerable body research conducted over last ~30 years. This article reviews findings identifies additional needs. In some tropical dry coastal watersheds US Virgin Islands Puerto Rico, unpaved foot or off-road vehicle trails primary sources. Watershed scale production these settings 0.3 3.7 Mg ha-1 yr-1, depending road density, 3 40 under conditions. wetter settings, like forested actively cultivated landscapes highland contributions include those farm but also croplands, streambanks, landslides. 15 60 with road-induced surface landslides accounting for 50% 95% total production. Designing management alternatives will require improve our understanding road-to-stream road-to-coast connectivity, develop effectiveness metrics applied practices, establish specific causes Keywords: Connectivity, Coral reefs, Landslides, Sedimentation, Surface erosion, Islands.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

6
Mapping Water Quality in Nearshore Reef Environments Using Airborne Imaging Spectroscopy DOI Creative Commons
Kelly L. Hondula, Marcel König, Brice Grunert

и другие.

Remote Sensing, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(11), С. 1845 - 1845

Опубликована: Май 22, 2024

Coral reefs are threatened globally by compounding stressors of accelerating climate change and deteriorating water quality. Water quality plays a central role in coral reef health. Yet, accurately quantifying at large scales meaningful for monitoring impacts on health remains challenge due to the complex optical conditions typical shallow coastal systems. Here, we report performance 32 remote sensing models suspended particulate matter chlorophyll concentrations as well colored dissolved organic absorption, over concentration ranges relevant ecology using airborne imaging spectroscopy field measurements across 62 stations nearshore Hawaiian waters. Models were applied reflectance spectra processed with suite approaches compensate glint other above-water spectra. Results showed reliable estimation (RMSE = 2.74 mg L−1) accurate but imprecise 0.46 μg 0.03 m−1). Accurately correcting minimize sun sky effects significantly improved model performance. here suggest both hyperspectral multispectral platforms rapid application simple algorithms can be useful reefs.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1
Bringing Back Reef Fish: Sustainable Impacts of Community-Based Restoration of Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico (2008–2023) DOI Open Access
Edwin A. Hernández‐Delgado,

Ricardo Laureano

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(14), С. 5985 - 5985

Опубликована: Июль 12, 2024

In response to the severe fragmentation of Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), stands caused by a major winter swell (“Holy Swell”) in March 2008, an emergency community-based low-tech restoration was initiated Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Over 15-year period, coral demographic performance and fish assemblages were monitored across four restored control (non-restored) 100 m2 plots. The effort proved be highly successful, leading successful survival growth, sustained recovery assemblages, particularly herbivore guilds. Significantly increased abundance, biomass, diversity observed all trophic functional groups, fishery target species, geo-ecological groups both These positive outcomes attributed enhanced spatial complexity long-term “nutrient hotspots” within plots, refugia effect from benthic complexity, dispersal paths promoting spillover effects adjacent non-restored areas. Restoring guilds played crucial role restoring vital ecological processes reef ecosystem resilience. Recommendations include integrating assemblage into strategies, establishing natural nursery plots for future sourcing, incorporating concept seascapes holistic ecosystem-based approach restoration.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1
Coastal water quality improves during the COVID-19 pandemic: Maui, Hawai'i DOI
Andrea K. Kealoha, Christopher B. Wall,

Travis A. Liggett

и другие.

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 209, С. 117088 - 117088

Опубликована: Окт. 17, 2024

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1
The state of knowledge of freshwater resources in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Data scarcity and implications DOI Creative Commons
Brittany V. Lancellotti, David A. Hensley

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Окт. 31, 2024

Abstract Like many small island communities, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of U.S., is naturally freshwater scarce. In recent decades, rapid land development in USVI has increased water demand considerably, exerting extra pressure on resources. Freshwater quantity and quality data for are very scarce scattered, which limits management capabilities. We draw attention to this information deficit discuss its implications by reviewing current state knowledge surface groundwater USVI. Our review confirms that long‐term records limited unreliable. For example, streamflow was most recently monitored 2006, extensive from 1960s 1980s. Since 2016, mean levels have been recorded daily, but only three wells (one each USVI). Importantly, lack threatens security our understanding how impacted availability over time. This could be addressed using models, such as a recharge model, combination with remote sensing updated field (i.e., streamflow, groundwater, ecohydrological characterizations use change).

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1