Recovery disparity between coral cover and the physical functionality of reefs with impaired coral assemblages

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 27(3), С. 640 - 651

Опубликована: Ноя. 1, 2020

Abstract The ecology and structure of many tropical coral reefs have been markedly altered over the past few decades. Although long‐term recovery has observed in terms cover, it is not clear how novel species configurations shape reef functionality impaired reefs. identities life‐history strategies corals that recover are essential for understanding functional dynamics. We used a identity approach to quantify physical outcomes 13 year period across 56 sites Mexican Caribbean. This region was affected by multiple stressors converged drastically damaged early 2000s. Since then, shown evidence modest cover. Bayesian linear models annual rates change estimate temporal changes Moreover, diversity framework explore composition traits those assemblages. Between 2005 2018, increased at lower rate compared disparity between depended on (mainly non‐framework foliose‐digitate corals). No dominance or trait were observed, whereas building consistently dominated most cover potential may provide some ecological benefits, effects frameworks remain unclear, as key reef‐building observed. Our findings likely be representative wider Caribbean basin, declines rapid increases relative abundance weedy reported regionally. A assess turnover needed understand

Язык: Английский

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Resolving resource partitioning in parrotfishes (Scarini) using microhistology of feeding substrata

Coral Reefs, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 39(5), С. 1313 - 1327

Опубликована: Июнь 9, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Coral cover a stronger driver of reef fish trophic biomass than fishing

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 31(1)

Опубликована: Авг. 31, 2020

Abstract An influential paradigm in coral reef ecology is that fishing causes trophic cascades through fish assemblages, resulting reduced herbivory and thus benthic phase shifts from to algal dominance. Few long‐term field tests exist of how affects the structure such changes affect benthos. Alternatively, change itself may drive assemblages. Reef cover were quantified almost annually 1983 2014 at two small Philippine islands (Apo, Sumilon). At each island a No‐Take Marine Reserve (NTMR) site open subsistence monitored. Thirteen groups identified. Large planktivores often accounted for >50% assemblage biomass. Significant NTMR effects detected total biomass, but only 2 13 components: generalist large predators planktivores. Fishing‐induced biomass these components had no effect on live hard (HC) cover. In contrast, HC affected 11 significantly. Positive associations with predators, piscivores, obligate feeders, planktivores, Negative foragers, detritivores, excavators, scrapers, sand feeders. These most clear when environmental disturbances (e.g., bleaching, typhoons) cover, quickly (1–2 yr), recovered, slowly (5–10 yr). As changed, changed. Benthic assemblages distinct all sites outset, remaining so 31 yr, despite differences pressure disturbance history. alone explained ~30% variability structure, whereas 24%. Furthermore, more strongly than fishing. Management reefs must include measures maintain habitats, not just reduce by NTMRs.

Язык: Английский

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A meta-analysis to assess long-term spatiotemporal changes of benthic coral and macroalgae cover in the Mexican Caribbean

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 10(1)

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2020

Abstract Coral reefs in the wider Caribbean declined hard coral cover by ~80% since 1970s, but spatiotemporal analyses for sub-regions are lacking. Here, we explored benthic change patterns Mexican through meta-analysis between 1978 and 2016 including 125 reef sites. Findings revealed that decreased from ~26% 1970s to 16% 2016, whereas macroalgae increased ~30% 2016. Both groups showed high variability. Hard total 12% 2004 again 5% 2005 indicating some recovery after mass bleaching event hurricane impacts. In more than 80% of studied were dominated macroalgae, while only 15% corals. This stands contrast when all sites surveyed study is among first within region reports local Caribbean, other have failed recover. Most now no longer order prevent further degradation, viable reliable conservation alternatives required.

Язык: Английский

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The timing and causality of ecological shifts on Caribbean reefs

Advances in marine biology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер unknown, С. 331 - 360

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Few Herbivore Species Consume Dominant Macroalgae on a Caribbean Coral Reef

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 7

Опубликована: Авг. 12, 2020

Coral reefs have changed radically in the last few decades with Caribbean now averaging 13% coral cover and 40% macroalgal (mostly Dictyota Lobophora). So, it is time we re-evaluate which species are key to process of herbivory these new conditions. The role herbivorous fishes play controlling macroalgae often considered by managers researchers at a guild or family level, but greater resolution needed understand impact herbivores more fully. We performed feeding assays behavioural observations fish quantify removal most common different species. In total, ran 34 hour-long trials using Lobophora across two sites conducted over hours observation 105 from eight Cayman Islands, Caribbean. show that many nominal did not consume instead targeted epibionts on other substrates. fact, only three taxa consumed as significant proportion their feeding: one surgeonfish (Acanthurus coeruleus), parrotfish (Sparisoma aurofrenatum), third, chubs (Kyphosus spp.), group consistently part herbivore community From our observations, an individual A. coeruleus can ~44 grams per day, while S. aurofrenatum ~50 Kyphosus spp. ~100 grams. These values significantly than all suggest consumers results highlight disentangling necessary for critical be identified protected. Furthermore, reef conditions change, need functions effective protecting managing important ecosystems. With far higher coverage past, browsing remove may increasingly promoting health.

Язык: Английский

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Environmental degradation of the Mexican Caribbean reef lagoons

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 191, С. 114947 - 114947

Опубликована: Апрель 20, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Interdecadal trends in composition, density, size, and mean trophic level of fish species and guilds before and after coastal development in the Mexican Caribbean

Biodiversity and Conservation, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 27(2), С. 459 - 474

Опубликована: Окт. 10, 2017

Язык: Английский

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Harmful Macroalgal Blooms in a Changing World: Causes, Impacts, and Management

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2018

Macroalgae are a natural, common feature of inland waters as well estuaries, coastal waters, and oceanic particularly the Gulf Mexico, North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea where pelagic Sargassum is distributed. As causes effects macroalgal blooms similar in many ways to those associated with harmful phytoplankton species, scientists use term algal bloom (HAB) describe this diverse array phenomena. Many studies have addressed importance nutrient loading development HAB. Unlike toxic blooms, usually lack direct chemical toxicity, but typically broader range distribution ecological impacts. Because negative environmental economic impacts that often government agencies private stakeholders increasingly sought various strategies for management mitigation, although main historic approaches, physical removal herbicide treatment, remain common.

Язык: Английский

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Diversity and abundance of conspicuous macrocrustaceans on coral reefs differing in level of degradation

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 6, С. e4922 - e4922

Опубликована: Июнь 11, 2018

Coral reefs sustain abundant and diverse macrocrustaceans that perform multiple ecological roles, but coral are undergoing massive degradation may be driving changes in the species composition abundance of reef-associated macrocrustaceans. To provide insight into this issue, we used non-destructive visual census techniques to compare diversity conspicuous (i.e., those >1 cm visible without disturbance) between two shallow Caribbean similar size (∼1.5 km length) close each other, one (“Limones”) characterized by extensive stands branching Acropora palmata , other (“Bonanza”) dominated macroalgae relic skeletons rubble degraded). We also assessed structural complexity reef percent cover various benthic community components. Given type growth A. expected find a greater complexity, higher live coral, lower on Limones, hence more macrocrustacean compared with Bonanza. Overall, identified 63 (61 Decapoda Stomatopoda). Contrary our expectations, did not differ significantly back-reef zones these varied broadly were Bonanza than Limones despite being macroalgal However, use types microhabitats differed substantially reefs. On both reefs, dominant clinging crab Mithraculus coryphe hermit Calcinus tibicen former was latter Limones. M. occupied array mostly skeletons, whereas C. often, always, found associated colonies Millepora spp. A small commensal Domecia acanthophora far emerging as main discriminant Our results suggest local partially modulated habitat degradation, microhabitat types, establishment different associations rather alone.

Язык: Английский

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