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Feng X, Peterson AT, Aguirre-López LJ, Burger JR, Chen X, Papeş M. Rethinking ecological niches and geographic distributions in face of pervasive human influence in the Anthropocene. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1481-1503. [PMID: 38597328 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Species are distributed in predictable ways in geographic spaces. The three principal factors that determine geographic distributions of species are biotic interactions (B), abiotic conditions (A), and dispersal ability or mobility (M). A species is expected to be present in areas that are accessible to it and that contain suitable sets of abiotic and biotic conditions for it to persist. A species' probability of presence can be quantified as a combination of responses to B, A, and M via ecological niche modeling (ENM; also frequently referred to as species distribution modeling or SDM). This analytical approach has been used broadly in ecology and biogeography, as well as in conservation planning and decision-making, but commonly in the context of 'natural' settings. However, it is increasingly recognized that human impacts, including changes in climate, land cover, and ecosystem function, greatly influence species' geographic ranges. In this light, historical distinctions between natural and anthropogenic factors have become blurred, and a coupled human-natural landscape is recognized as the new norm. Therefore, B, A, and M (BAM) factors need to be reconsidered to understand and quantify species' distributions in a world with a pervasive signature of human impacts. Here, we present a framework, termed human-influenced BAM (Hi-BAM, for distributional ecology that (i) conceptualizes human impacts in the form of six drivers, and (ii) synthesizes previous studies to show how each driver modifies the natural BAM and species' distributions. Given the importance and prevalence of human impacts on species distributions globally, we also discuss implications of this framework for ENM/SDM methods, and explore strategies by which to incorporate increasing human impacts in the methodology. Human impacts are redefining biogeographic patterns; as such, future studies should incorporate signals of human impacts integrally in modeling and forecasting species' distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Feng
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph R Burger
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40502, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, MD, 21532, USA
| | - Monica Papeş
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
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2
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Wright JL, Stewart HA, Candanedo I, D'Alessandro E, Estevanez M, Araújo RJ. Coexisting mangrove‐coral habitat use by reef fishes in the Caribbean. Biotropica 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Wright
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Science University of Miami Miami Florida USA
| | - Heather A. Stewart
- Department of Biology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Balboa Panama
| | | | - Evan D'Alessandro
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Science University of Miami Miami Florida USA
| | - Maria Estevanez
- Department of Marine Environmental Science and Policy, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Science University of Miami Miami Florida USA
| | - Rafael J. Araújo
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Science University of Miami Miami Florida USA
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3
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Bosch NE, McLean M, Zarco-Perello S, Bennett S, Stuart-Smith RD, Vergés A, Pessarrodona A, Tuya F, Langlois T, Spencer C, Bell S, Saunders BJ, Harvey ES, Wernberg T. Persistent thermally driven shift in the functional trait structure of herbivorous fishes: Evidence of top-down control on the rebound potential of temperate seaweed forests? GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:2296-2311. [PMID: 34981602 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Extreme climatic events can reshape the functional structure of ecological communities, potentially altering ecological interactions and ecosystem functioning. While these shifts have been widely documented, evidence of their persistence and potential flow-on effects on ecosystem structure following relaxation of extreme events remains limited. Here, we investigate changes in the functional trait structure - encompassing dimensions of resource use, thermal affinity, and body size - of herbivorous fishes in a temperate reef system that experienced an extreme marine heatwave (MHW) and subsequent return to cool conditions. We quantify how changes in the trait structure modified the nature and intensity of herbivory-related functions (macroalgae, turf, and sediment removal), and explored the potential flow-on effects on the recovery dynamics of macroalgal foundation species. The trait structure of the herbivorous fish assemblage shifted as a result of the MHW, from dominance of cool-water browsing species to increased evenness in the distribution of abundance among temperate and tropical guilds supporting novel herbivory roles (i.e. scraping, cropping, and sediment sucking). Despite the abundance of tropical herbivorous fishes and intensity of herbivory-related functions declined following a period of cooling after the MHW, the underlying trait structure displayed limited recovery. Concomitantly, algal assemblages displayed a lack of recovery of the formerly dominant foundational species, the kelp Ecklonia radiata, transitioning to an alternative state dominated by turf and Sargassum spp. Our study demonstrates a legacy effect of an extreme MHW and exemplified the value of monitoring phenotypic (trait mediated) changes in the nature of core ecosystem processes to predict and adapt to the future configurations of changing reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nestor E Bosch
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Matthew McLean
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Salvador Zarco-Perello
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Scott Bennett
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rick D Stuart-Smith
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Adriana Vergés
- Centre of Marine Science & Innovation, Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Albert Pessarrodona
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de G.C., Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Tim Langlois
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Claude Spencer
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sahira Bell
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Saunders
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
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4
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Semmler RF, Brandl SJ, Keith SA, Bellwood DR. Fine-scale foraging behavior reveals differences in the functional roles of herbivorous reef fishes. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:4898-4908. [PMID: 33976857 PMCID: PMC8093660 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to understand and protect ecosystem functioning have put considerable emphasis on classifying species according to the functions they perform. However, coarse classifications based on diet or feeding mode often oversimplify species' contributions to ecological processes. Behavioral variation among superficially similar species is easily missed but could indicate important differences in competitive interactions and the spatial scale at which species deliver their functions. To test the extent to which behavior can vary within existing functional classifications, we investigate the diversity of foraging movements in three herbivorous coral reef fishes across two functional groups. We find significant variation in foraging movements and spatial scales of operation between species, both within and across existing functional groups. Specifically, we show that movements and space use range from low frequency foraging bouts separated by short distances and tight turns across a small area, to high frequency, far-ranging forays separated by wide sweeping turns. Overall, we add to the burgeoning evidence that nuanced behavioral differences can underpin considerable complementarity within existing functional classifications, and that species assemblages may be considerably less redundant than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon J. Brandl
- Department of Marine ScienceMarine Science InstituteUniversity of Texas AustinPort AransasTXUSA
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQLDAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQLDAustralia
| | - Sally A. Keith
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | - David R. Bellwood
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQLDAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQLDAustralia
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5
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Munsterman KS, Allgeier JE, Peters JR, Burkepile DE. A View From Both Ends: Shifts in Herbivore Assemblages Impact Top-Down and Bottom-Up Processes on Coral Reefs. Ecosystems 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-021-00612-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Inter-Habitat Variability in Parrotfish Bioerosion Rates and Grazing Pressure on an Indian Ocean Reef Platform. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12100381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Parrotfish perform a variety of vital ecological functions on coral reefs, but we have little understanding of how these vary spatially as a result of inter-habitat variability in species assemblages. Here, we examine how two key ecological functions that result from parrotfish feeding, bioerosion and substrate grazing, vary between habitats over a reef scale in the central Maldives. Eight distinct habitats were delineated in early 2015, prior to the 2016 bleaching event, each supporting a unique parrotfish assemblage. Bioerosion rates varied from 0 to 0.84 ± 0.12 kg m−2 yr−1 but were highest in the coral rubble- and Pocillopora spp.-dominated habitat. Grazing pressure also varied markedly between habitats but followed a different inter-habitat pattern from that of bioerosion, with different contributing species. Total parrotfish grazing pressure ranged from 0 to ~264 ± 16% available substrate grazed yr-1 in the branching Acropora spp.-dominated habitat. Despite the importance of these functions in influencing reef-scale physical structure and ecological health, the highest rates occurred over less than 30% of the platform area. The results presented here provide new insights into within-reef variability in parrotfish ecological functions and demonstrate the importance of considering how these interact to influence reef geo-ecology.
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Tebbett SB, Goatley CHR, Streit RP, Bellwood DR. Algal turf sediments limit the spatial extent of function delivery on coral reefs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 734:139422. [PMID: 32460082 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The presence of key organisms is frequently associated with the delivery of specific ecosystem functions. Areas with such organisms are therefore often considered to have greater levels of these functions. While this assumption has been the backbone of coral reef ecosystem-based management approaches for decades, we currently have only a limited understanding of how fish presence equates to function on coral reefs and whether this relationship is susceptible to stressors. To assess the capacity of a stressor to shape function delivery we used a multi-scale approach ranging from tens of kilometres across the continental shelf of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, down to centimetres within a reef habitat. At each scale, we quantified the spatial extent of a model function (detritivory) by a coral reef surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) and its potential to be shaped by sediments. At broad spatial scales, C. striatus presence was correlated strongly with algal turf sediment loads, while at smaller spatial scales, function delivery appears to be constrained by algal turf sediment distributions. In all cases, sediment loads above ~250-500 g m-2 were associated with a marked decrease in fish abundance or feeding activity, suggesting that a common ecological threshold lies within this range. Our results reveal a complex functional dynamic between proximate agents of function delivery (fish) and the ultimate drivers of function delivery (sediments), which emphasizes: a) weaknesses in the assumed links between fish presence and function, and b) the multi-scale capacity of algal turf sediments to shape reef processes. Unless direct extractive activities (e.g. fishing) are the main driver of function loss on coral reefs, managing to conserve fish abundance is unlikely to yield the desired outcomes. It only addresses one potential driver. Instead, management of both the agents that deliver functions (e.g. fishes), and the drivers that modify functions (e.g. sediments), is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sterling B Tebbett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
| | - Christopher H R Goatley
- Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research Lab and Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia; Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Robert P Streit
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - David R Bellwood
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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Lester SE, Rassweiler A, McCoy SJ, Dubel AK, Donovan MK, Miller MW, Miller SD, Ruttenberg BI, Samhouri JF, Hay ME. Caribbean reefs of the Anthropocene: Variance in ecosystem metrics indicates bright spots on coral depauperate reefs. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:4785-4799. [PMID: 32691514 PMCID: PMC7497265 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Dramatic coral loss has significantly altered many Caribbean reefs, with potentially important consequences for the ecological functions and ecosystem services provided by reef systems. Many studies examine coral loss and its causes-and often presume a universal decline of ecosystem services with coral loss-rather than evaluating the range of possible outcomes for a diversity of ecosystem functions and services at reefs varying in coral cover. We evaluate 10 key ecosystem metrics, relating to a variety of different reef ecosystem functions and services, on 328 Caribbean reefs varying in coral cover. We focus on the range and variability of these metrics rather than on mean responses. In contrast to a prevailing paradigm, we document high variability for a variety of metrics, and for many the range of outcomes is not related to coral cover. We find numerous "bright spots," where herbivorous fish biomass, density of large fishes, fishery value, and/or fish species richness are high, despite low coral cover. Although it remains critical to protect and restore corals, understanding variability in ecosystem metrics among low-coral reefs can facilitate the maintenance of reefs with sustained functions and services as we work to restore degraded systems. This framework can be applied to other ecosystems in the Anthropocene to better understand variance in ecosystem service outcomes and identify where and why bright spots exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Lester
- Department of GeographyFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFLUSA
| | - Andrew Rassweiler
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFLUSA
| | - Sophie J. McCoy
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFLUSA
| | - Alexandra K. Dubel
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFLUSA
| | - Mary K. Donovan
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaKāne'oheHIUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCAUSA
| | | | - Scott D. Miller
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFLUSA
| | - Benjamin I. Ruttenberg
- Biological Sciences Department and Center for Coastal Marine SciencesCalifornia Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis ObispoCAUSA
| | - Jameal F. Samhouri
- Conservation Biology DivisionNorthwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSeattleWAUSA
| | - Mark E. Hay
- School of Biological SciencesGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGAUSA
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Zarco‐Perello S, Carroll G, Vanderklift M, Holmes T, Langlois TJ, Wernberg T. Range‐extending tropical herbivores increase diversity, intensity and extent of herbivory functions in temperate marine ecosystems. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Zarco‐Perello
- School of Biological Sciences and UWA Oceans Institute The University of Western Australia Crawley (Perth) WA Australia
| | - Gemma Carroll
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz CA USA
- Environmental Research Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Monterey CA USA
| | - Mat Vanderklift
- Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre Crawley WA Australia
| | - Thomas Holmes
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science Division Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKensington WA Australia
| | - Tim J. Langlois
- School of Biological Sciences and UWA Oceans Institute The University of Western Australia Crawley (Perth) WA Australia
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- School of Biological Sciences and UWA Oceans Institute The University of Western Australia Crawley (Perth) WA Australia
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Morais RA, Depczynski M, Fulton C, Marnane M, Narvaez P, Huertas V, Brandl SJ, Bellwood DR. Severe coral loss shifts energetic dynamics on a coral reef. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Renato A. Morais
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - Martial Depczynski
- Australian Institute of Marine Science Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre University of Western Australia, Crawley WA Australia
- Oceans Institute University of Western Australia, Crawley WA Australia
| | - Christopher Fulton
- Research School of Biology The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | | | - Pauline Narvaez
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - Victor Huertas
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - Simon J. Brandl
- Department of Biological Sciences Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada
- PSL Université Paris: CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD USR3278 CRIOBE Université de Perpignan Perpignan France
| | - David R. Bellwood
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
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