Herbivory facilitates growth of a key reef‐building Caribbean coral

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 7(24), С. 11246 - 11256

Опубликована: Ноя. 22, 2017

Abstract The decline of reef‐building corals in conjunction with shifts to short‐lived opportunistic species has prompted concerns that Caribbean reef framework‐building capacity substantially diminished. Restoring herbivore populations may be a potential driver coral recovery; however, the impact herbivores on calcification been little studied. We performed an exclusion experiment evaluate herbivory Orbicella faveolata growth over 14 months. consisted three treatments: full cages; half cage procedural controls; and uncaged control plates, each small O. colonies. found herbivorous fish had substantial both macroalgal cover growth. Fleshy macroalgae reached 50% within some cages, but were almost absent from plates. Critically, rates suppressed by monthly negatively related overgrowth fleshy macroalgae. These findings highlight importance fishes for detrimental proliferation Caribbean. Policy makers local managers should consider measures protect reduce enable communities continue grow function.

Язык: Английский

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Invertebrate herbivores: Overlooked allies in the recovery of degraded coral reefs?

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 17, С. e00593 - e00593

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2019

A key question for coral reef conservation is whether reefs dominated by macroalgae can recover. Since the near-disappearance of herbivorous urchin Diadema antillarum in Caribbean, a prevalent management paradigm has focused on protecting fishes to trigger shifts back coral-rich state. However, absence D. antillarum, contribution other large macroinvertebrates herbivory intensity been largely overlooked. We used day and night field surveys behavioural observations at 16 degraded patches Bahamas measure abundance their consumption fleshy macroalgae. Tripneustes sea urchins Maguimithrax crabs were main our sites active mainly night, with 97% 45% observed consuming By comparison, < 5% ate In laboratory, readily consumed (at rates 0.19 g h−1 0.38 h−1, respectively), but low patch (4 2.3 per reef, average) translated into overall macroalgal removal. Perhaps this reason, there was no relationship between density these or grazing rate cover reefs. Nevertheless, we calculated that alone could exceed production doubling current abundance; 2.6-fold increase would achieve same result. Our results suggest macroinvertebrates, some which are currently target artisanal fishing many Caribbean countries, contribute greatly recovery established communities, least habitats.

Язык: Английский

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Identity of coral reef herbivores drives variation in ecological processes over multiple spatial scales

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 29(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 26, 2019

Abstract Overexploitation of key species can negatively impact ecosystem processes, so understanding the ecological roles individual is critical for improving management. Here, we use coral reefs and process herbivory as a model to examine how identity consumers influence processes inform management these consumers. Herbivorous fishes facilitate recruitment, growth, recovery corals by controlling fast‐growing algae that outcompete space. However, herbivorous fish guilds are rich with important differences among in diet, movement, habitat preferences. Yet, lack general (1) species‐specific feeding behavior scale up reef‐wide rates (2) diversity processes. To address knowledge gaps, used field observations derive species‐ size‐specific foraging parameters nine parrotfish on Florida Keys, USA . We then combined survey data spanning multiple spatial scales estimate three processes: area reef grazed, amount macroalgae removed, rate bioerosion. found predicted varied dramatically habitats zones within habitats, driven primarily variation abundance different behaviors. In some cases, assemblages similar levels total biomass had others, Importantly, our models using differed from those genus‐level 300% highlighting importance herbivore this system. Our results indicate there may be little overlap play, suggesting systems vulnerable loss function reduction or just few species. This work provides framework applied across region predict changes affect herbivores.

Язык: Английский

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Coral species composition drives key ecosystem function on coral reefs

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 287(1921), С. 20192214 - 20192214

Опубликована: Фев. 19, 2020

Rapid and unprecedented ecological change threatens the functioning stability of ecosystems. On coral reefs, global climate local stressors are reducing reorganizing habitat-forming corals associated species, with largely unknown implications for critical ecosystem functions such as herbivory. Herbivory mediates coral-algal competition, thereby facilitating recovery following disturbance bleaching events or large storms. However, relationships between species composition, distribution herbivorous fishes delivery their functional impact not well understood. Here, we investigate how fish assemblages two distinct herbivory processes, grazing browsing, differ among three taxonomically distinct, replicated habitats. While on algal turf was insensitive to different configurations, browsing macroalga Laurencia cf. obtusa varied considerably habitats, suggesting that mechanisms may shape these processes. Variation in habitats best predicted by composition structural complexity benthic (in particular cover corals, but macroalgal cover), poorly reflected visual estimates browser biomass. Surprisingly, lowest rates were recorded most structurally complex habitat, greatest (branching Porites habitat). mechanism variation is clear, it be related scale-dependent effects habitat structure occlusion inhibiting foraging activity fishes, relative availability alternate dietary resources. Our results suggest maintained functionality vary emerging reef configurations due interactions environment determining selection.

Язык: Английский

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Macroalgae reveal nitrogen enrichment and elevated N:P ratios on the Belize Barrier Reef

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 171, С. 112686 - 112686

Опубликована: Июль 13, 2021

Язык: Английский

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