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Clements CS, Pratte ZA, Stewart FJ, Hay ME. Biodiversity of macroalgae does not differentially suppress coral performance: The other side of a biodiversity issue. Ecology 2024; 105:e4329. [PMID: 38772876 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Hundreds of studies now document positive relationships between biodiversity and critical ecosystem processes, but as ecological communities worldwide shift toward new species configurations, less is known regarding how the biodiversity of undesirable species will shape the functioning of ecosystems or foundation species. We manipulated macroalgal species richness in experimental field plots to test whether and how the identity and diversity of competing macroalgae affected the growth, survival, and microbiome of a common coral in Mo'orea, French Polynesia. Compared to controls without algal competitors, coral growth was significantly suppressed across three macroalgal monocultures, a polyculture of the same three macroalgae, and plots containing inert seaweed mimics; coral mortality was limited and did not differ significantly among treatments. One macroalga suppressed coral growth significantly less than the other two, but none differed from the inert mimic in terms of coral suppression. The composition, dispersion, and diversity of coral microbiomes in treatments with live macroalgae or inert plastic mimics did not differ from controls experiencing no competition. Microbiome composition differed between two macroalgal monocultures and a monoculture versus plastic mimics, but no other microbiome differences were observed among macroalgal or mimic treatments. Together, these findings suggest that algal diversity does not alter harmful impacts of macroalgae on coral performance, which could be accounted for by physical structure alone in these field experiments. While enhancing biodiversity is a recognized strategy for promoting desirable species, it would be worrisome if biodiversity also enhanced the negative impacts of undesirable species. We documented no such effects in this investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody S Clements
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zoe A Pratte
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Frank J Stewart
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Mark E Hay
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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2
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Endo H, Kodama M, Kawashima R, Kumagai M, Matsuoka M, Ebata K, Okunishi S. Tissue-Specific Tolerance to High-Temperature and Nutrient-Poor Conditions in a Canopy-Forming Macroalga, Surviving at an Ocean Warming Hotspot. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1689. [PMID: 38931121 PMCID: PMC11207237 DOI: 10.3390/plants13121689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Most canopy-forming macroalgae have disappeared from temperate reefs in southern Japan, one of the ocean warming hotspots, but Sargassum nipponicum is surviving in this region. As this species' annual shoots emerge from holdfasts during summer, both plant components may be highly tolerant to warm and nutrient-poor conditions in this season. The present study examined the effects of temperature and nutrient conditions on holdfast growth, shoot emergence from holdfasts, and shoot growth in S. nipponicum samples collected in Tanegashima Island, southern Japan. The summer temperature in this region (30 °C) allowed holdfast growth and shoot emergence but inhibited shoot growth. Nutrient-poor conditions had limited effects on the first two parameters but suppressed shoot growth. These results suggested that during warm summers and under nutrient-poor conditions in southern Japan, shoots can emerge from S. nipponicum holdfasts but cannot further grow. Additionally, nutrient loading from a nearby river was higher at the only site dominated by S. nipponicum, than at the other sites where this species was absent on Tanegashima Island. This was observed especially between autumn and winter, implying that such a nutrient-rich environment may contribute to shoot growth in S. nipponicum and to the persistence of its population in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Endo
- Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan; (M.K.); (R.K.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (K.E.); (S.O.)
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Masafumi Kodama
- Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan; (M.K.); (R.K.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (K.E.); (S.O.)
| | - Ryoya Kawashima
- Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan; (M.K.); (R.K.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (K.E.); (S.O.)
| | - Momochika Kumagai
- Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan; (M.K.); (R.K.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (K.E.); (S.O.)
| | - Midori Matsuoka
- Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan; (M.K.); (R.K.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (K.E.); (S.O.)
| | - Keigo Ebata
- Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan; (M.K.); (R.K.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (K.E.); (S.O.)
| | - Suguru Okunishi
- Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan; (M.K.); (R.K.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (K.E.); (S.O.)
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3
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Segaran TC, Azra MN, Mohd Noor MI, Danish-Daniel M, Burlakovs J, Lananan F, Xu J, Kari ZA, Wei LS. Knowledge mapping analysis of the global seaweed research using CiteSpace. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28418. [PMID: 38560172 PMCID: PMC10981124 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Seaweed research has gained substantial momentum in recent years, attracting the attention of researchers, academic institutions, industries, policymakers, and philanthropists to explore its potential applications and benefits. Despite the growing body of literature, there is a paucity of comprehensive scientometric analyses, highlighting the need for an in-depth investigation. In this study, we utilized CiteSpace to examine the global seaweed research landscape through the Web of Science Core Collection database, assessing publication trends, collaboration patterns, network structures, and co-citation analyses across 48,278 original works published since 1975. Our results demonstrate a diverse and active research community, with a multitude of authors and journals contributing to the advancement of seaweed science. Thematic co-citation cluster analysis identified three primary research areas: "Coral reef," "Solar radiation," and "Mycosporine-like amino acid," emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of seaweed research. The increasing prominence of "Chemical composition" and "Antioxidant" keywords indicates a burgeoning interest in characterizing the nutritional value and health-promoting properties of seaweed. Timeline co-citation analysis unveils that recent research priorities have emerged around the themes of coral reefs, ocean acidification, and antioxidants, underlining the evolving focus and interdisciplinary approach of the field. Moreover, our analysis highlights the potential of seaweed as a functional food product, poised to contribute significantly to addressing global food security and sustainability challenges. This study underscores the importance of bibliometric analysis in elucidating the global seaweed research landscape and emphasizes the need for sustained knowledge exchange and collaboration to drive the field forward. By revealing key findings and emerging trends, our research offers valuable insights for academics and stakeholders, fostering a more profound understanding of seaweed's potential and informing future research endeavors in this promising domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirukanthan Chandra Segaran
- Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Nor Azra
- Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Research Center for Marine and Land Bioindustry, Earth Sciences and Maritime Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Pemenang, 83352, Indonesia
| | - Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor
- Faculty of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) (Pahang), 27600, Raub, Pahang, Malaysia
- Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhd Danish-Daniel
- Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Juris Burlakovs
- Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
| | - Fathurrahman Lananan
- Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, 21300, Malaysia
| | - Juntian Xu
- School of Marine Science and Fisheries, Jiangsu Ocean University, No. 59 Cangwu Road, Haizhou District, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zulhisyam Abdul Kari
- Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Lee Seong Wei
- Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Tropical Rainforest Research Centre (TRaCe), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pulau Banding, 33300, Gerik, Perak, Malaysia
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4
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Edmunds PJ, Maritorena S, Burgess SC. Early post-settlement events, rather than settlement, drive recruitment and coral recovery at Moorea, French Polynesia. Oecologia 2024; 204:625-640. [PMID: 38418704 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05517-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Understanding population dynamics is a long-standing objective of ecology, but the need for progress in this area has become urgent. For coral reefs, achieving this objective is impeded by a lack of information on settlement versus post-settlement events in determining recruitment and population size. Declines in coral abundance are often inferred to be associated with reduced densities of recruits, which could arise from mechanisms occurring at larval settlement, or throughout post-settlement stages. This study uses annual measurements from 2008 to 2021 of coral cover, the density of coral settlers (S), the density of small corals (SC), and environmental conditions, to evaluate the roles of settlement versus post-settlement events in determining rates of coral recruitment and changes in coral cover at Moorea, French Polynesia. Coral cover, S, SC, and the SC:S ratio (a proxy for post-settlement success), and environmental conditions, were used in generalized additive models (GAMs) to show that: (a) coral cover was more strongly related to SC and SC:S than S, and (b) SC:S was highest when preceded by cool seawater, low concentrations of Chlorophyll a, and low flow speeds, and S showed evidence of declining with elevated temperature. Together, these results suggest that changes in coral cover in Moorea are more strongly influenced by post-settlement events than settlement. The key to understanding coral community resilience may lie in elucidating the factors attenuating the bottleneck between settlers and small corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Edmunds
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA, 91330-8303, USA.
| | - Stéphane Maritorena
- Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-3060, USA
| | - Scott C Burgess
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4295, USA
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5
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Ramos A, González-Díaz P, Banaszak AT, Perera O, Hernandez Delgado F, Delfín de León S, Vicente Castro P, Aguilera Pérez GC, Duran A. Seventeen-year study reveals fluctuations in key ecological indicators on two reef crests in Cuba. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16705. [PMID: 38282865 PMCID: PMC10812586 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Reef crests in the Caribbean have lost approximately 80% of the foundational habitat-forming coral Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), with declines registered as early as the 1950s mainly from anthropogenic causes. We studied two reef crests in the northwestern region of Cuba over 17 years (2005 to 2021) to evaluate temporal changes in coral cover, dominated by A. palmata, and their potential drivers. The density of A. palmata generally showed a negative trend at both reefs, with the lowest density recorded in 2021 at 0.2 ± 0.05 col. m-2 at Playa Baracoa and 1.0 ± 0.1 col. m-2 at Rincon de Guanabo. The mean size of the colonies in the two reefs also decreased over time. In Playa Baracoa, the mean diameter of A. palmata colonies decreased from 2012 at 67 ± 5.9 cm to 2013 at 34 ± 2.2 cm, whereas in Rincon de Guanabo, a change in diameter was evident from 2015 at 44.3 ± 2.3 to 2021 at 21.6 ± 0.9 cm. Adult colonies (10 cm-50 cm diameter) predominated in most years on both reefs. The populations of A. palmata on both reefs were healthy, with an average of 70% colonies in good condition during the study period. However, A. palmata cover decreased by almost half by 2021, to 8.6% in Playa Baracoa and 16.8% in Rincon de Guanabo. By contrast, macroalgal cover increased two-fold to 87.1% in Playa Baracoa and four-fold to 77.2% in Rincon de Guanabo. The density of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum was higher in Playa Baracoa than in Rincon de Guanabo. The highest densities were 2.8 ± 0.2 ind. m-2 in Playa Baracoa in 2005 and 0.1 ± 0.03 ind. m-2 in Rincon de Guanabo in 2008. Although our results show an overall decline of A. palmata (density and percent cover) and an increase in macroalgae, these two reef crests are in better condition than most reefs in the Caribbean in terms of the density and health of A. palmata populations, and the density of D. antillarum at Playa Baracoa. Our results are important in establishing a management plan to ensure the condition of these reef crests does not degrade further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Ramos
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
- Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
| | | | - Anastazia T. Banaszak
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Orlando Perera
- Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | - Alain Duran
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
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6
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Winston M, Fuller K, Neilson BJ, Donovan MK. Complex drivers of invasive macroalgae boom and bust in Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115744. [PMID: 37951125 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Invasive macroalgae Eucheuma sp. and Kappaphycus spp. (E/K) became a dominant benthic feature in Kāne'ohe Bay throughout the past four decades - occurring on up to 74 ha of reef area and growing up to three meters thick, which prompted intensive management action. In 2013, E/K cover began decreasing at managed and unmanaged sites. This study examined the extent and timing of the E/K decline and evaluated environmental and ecological drivers beyond management contributing to the decline. E/K continued to recede into 2017 and remains sparse in Kāne'ohe Bay today. Increasing over the sampling period, herbivore biomass was negatively correlated with E/K cover, and other significant, non-linear relationships emerged between E/K cover and coral cover, sea surface temperature, wind, and rainfall. This study uncovers several possible mechanisms explaining a boom and bust in E/K abundance, emphasizes the importance of herbivory, and highlights the resilience of coral reefs in Kāne'ohe Bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Winston
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA 96720.
| | - Kimberly Fuller
- State of Hawai'i Division of Aquatic Resources, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Brian J Neilson
- State of Hawai'i Division of Aquatic Resources, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Mary K Donovan
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA 96720
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7
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Page CE, Ainsworth TD, Leggat W, Egan S, Gupta AS, Raoult V, Gaston TF. Localising terrestrially derived pollution inputs to threatened near-shore coral reefs through stable isotope, water quality and oceanographic analysis. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115193. [PMID: 37399735 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Near-shore coral reefs are at high-risk of exposure to pollution from terrestrial activities. Pollution impacts can vary with site-specific factors that span sources, rainfall and oceanographic characteristics. To effectively manage pollution, we need to understand how these factors interact. In this study, we detect terrestrially derived nutrient inputs on near-shore reefs at Norfolk Island, South Pacific by analysis of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and stable isotopes. When compared to a reef site with predominantly oceanic inputs, we found that both the lagoon and a small reef adjacent to a catchment have signatures of human-derived DIN shown through depleted δ15N signatures in macroalgae. We find pollution exposure of reef sites is associated with known and unknown sources, rainfall and mixing of water with the open ocean. In characterising exposure of reef sites we highlight the role of site-specific context in influencing pollution exposure for benthic communities even in remote island systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Page
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), UNSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia.
| | - T D Ainsworth
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), UNSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - W Leggat
- University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - S Egan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), UNSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - A Sen Gupta
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), UNSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - V Raoult
- University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Marine Ecology Group, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - T F Gaston
- University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Cannon SE, Donner SD, Liu A, González Espinosa PC, Baird AH, Baum JK, Bauman AG, Beger M, Benkwitt CE, Birt MJ, Chancerelle Y, Cinner JE, Crane NL, Denis V, Depczynski M, Fadli N, Fenner D, Fulton CJ, Golbuu Y, Graham NAJ, Guest J, Harrison HB, Hobbs JPA, Hoey AS, Holmes TH, Houk P, Januchowski-Hartley FA, Jompa J, Kuo CY, Limmon GV, Lin YV, McClanahan TR, Muenzel D, Paddack MJ, Planes S, Pratchett MS, Radford B, Reimer JD, Richards ZT, Ross CL, Rulmal J, Sommer B, Williams GJ, Wilson SK. Macroalgae exhibit diverse responses to human disturbances on coral reefs. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:3318-3330. [PMID: 37020174 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Scientists and managers rely on indicator taxa such as coral and macroalgal cover to evaluate the effects of human disturbance on coral reefs, often assuming a universally positive relationship between local human disturbance and macroalgae. Despite evidence that macroalgae respond to local stressors in diverse ways, there have been few efforts to evaluate relationships between specific macroalgae taxa and local human-driven disturbance. Using genus-level monitoring data from 1205 sites in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, we assess whether macroalgae percent cover correlates with local human disturbance while accounting for factors that could obscure or confound relationships. Assessing macroalgae at genus level revealed that no genera were positively correlated with all human disturbance metrics. Instead, we found relationships between the division or genera of algae and specific human disturbances that were not detectable when pooling taxa into a single functional category, which is common to many analyses. The convention to use percent cover of macroalgae as an indication of local human disturbance therefore likely obscures signatures of local anthropogenic threats to reefs. Our limited understanding of relationships between human disturbance, macroalgae taxa, and their responses to human disturbances impedes the ability to diagnose and respond appropriately to these threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Cannon
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Simon D Donner
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Angela Liu
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pedro C González Espinosa
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrew H Baird
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Queensland, Townsville, Australia
| | - Julia K Baum
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Victoria, Canada
| | - Andrew G Bauman
- Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Nova Southeastern University, Florida, Dania Beach, USA
| | - Maria Beger
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | | | - Matthew J Birt
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Yannick Chancerelle
- CRIOBE, UAR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Moorea French Polynesia and the French Center for Excellence for Coral Reefs (LabEx Corail), PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Joshua E Cinner
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Queensland, Townsville, Australia
| | - Nicole L Crane
- One People One Reef, California, Santa Cruz, USA
- Department of Biology, Cabrillo College, California, Aptos, USA
| | - Vianney Denis
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Martial Depczynski
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Nur Fadli
- Faculty of Marine and Fisheries, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
| | | | | | | | | | - James Guest
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hugo B Harrison
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Queensland, Townsville, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jean-Paul A Hobbs
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Andrew S Hoey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Queensland, Townsville, Australia
| | - Thomas H Holmes
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Kensington, Australia
| | - Peter Houk
- University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam
| | | | - Jamaluddin Jompa
- Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Chao-Yang Kuo
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Queensland, Townsville, Australia
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Gino Valentino Limmon
- Department of Marine Biology, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia
- Maritime and Marine Science Centre of Excellence, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia
| | - Yuting V Lin
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Dominic Muenzel
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Michelle J Paddack
- One People One Reef, California, Santa Cruz, USA
- Santa Barbara City College, California, Santa Barbara, USA
| | - Serge Planes
- CRIOBE, UAR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Moorea French Polynesia and the French Center for Excellence for Coral Reefs (LabEx Corail), PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Morgan S Pratchett
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Queensland, Townsville, Australia
| | - Ben Radford
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Department of Marine Science, Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Zoe T Richards
- Coral Conservation and Research Group, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia, Bently, Australia
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Claire L Ross
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Kensington, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - John Rulmal
- One People One Reef, California, Santa Cruz, USA
- Ulithi Falalop Community Action Program, Yap, Micronesia
| | - Brigitte Sommer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 2007, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Shaun K Wilson
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Kensington, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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9
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Chase AB, Bogdanov A, Demko AM, Jensen PR. Biogeographic patterns of biosynthetic potential and specialized metabolites in marine sediments. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023:10.1038/s41396-023-01410-3. [PMID: 37061583 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
While the field of microbial biogeography has largely focused on the contributions of abiotic factors to community patterns, the potential influence of biotic interactions in structuring microbial communities, such as those mediated by the production of specialized metabolites, remains largely unknown. Here, we examined the relationship between microbial community structure and specialized metabolism at local spatial scales in marine sediment samples collected from the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in Moorea, French Polynesia. By employing a multi-omic approach to characterize the taxonomic, functional, and specialized metabolite composition within sediment communities, we find that biogeographic patterns were driven by local scale processes (e.g., biotic interactions) and largely independent of dispersal limitation. Specifically, we observed high variation in biosynthetic potential (based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity) between samples, even within 1 m2 plots, that reflected uncharacterized chemical space associated with site-specific metabolomes. Ultimately, connecting biosynthetic potential to community metabolomes facilitated the in situ detection of natural products and revealed new insights into the complex metabolic dynamics associated with sediment microbial communities. Our study demonstrates the potential to integrate biosynthetic genes and metabolite production into assessments of microbial community dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B Chase
- Department of Earth Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Alexander Bogdanov
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alyssa M Demko
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Paul R Jensen
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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10
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Howe-Kerr LI, Grupstra CGB, Rabbitt KM, Conetta D, Coy SR, Klinges JG, Maher RL, McConnell KM, Meiling SS, Messyasz A, Schmeltzer ER, Seabrook S, Sims JA, Veglia AJ, Thurber AR, Thurber RLV, Correa AMS. Viruses of a key coral symbiont exhibit temperature-driven productivity across a reefscape. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:27. [PMID: 37009785 PMCID: PMC10068613 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00227-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Viruses can affect coral health by infecting their symbiotic dinoflagellate partners (Symbiodiniaceae). Yet, viral dynamics in coral colonies exposed to environmental stress have not been studied at the reef scale, particularly within individual viral lineages. We sequenced the viral major capsid protein (mcp) gene of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses known to infect symbiotic dinoflagellates ('dinoRNAVs') to analyze their dynamics in the reef-building coral, Porites lobata. We repeatedly sampled 54 colonies harboring Cladocopium C15 dinoflagellates, across three environmentally distinct reef zones (fringing reef, back reef, and forereef) around the island of Moorea, French Polynesia over a 3-year period and spanning a reef-wide thermal stress event. By the end of the sampling period, 28% (5/18) of corals in the fringing reef experienced partial mortality versus 78% (14/18) of corals in the forereef. Over 90% (50/54) of colonies had detectable dinoRNAV infections. Reef zone influenced the composition and richness of viral mcp amino acid types ('aminotypes'), with the fringing reef containing the highest aminotype richness. The reef-wide thermal stress event significantly increased aminotype dispersion, and this pattern was strongest in the colonies that experienced partial mortality. These findings demonstrate that dinoRNAV infections respond to environmental fluctuations experienced in situ on reefs. Further, viral productivity will likely increase as ocean temperatures continue to rise, potentially impacting the foundational symbiosis underpinning coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carsten G B Grupstra
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen M Rabbitt
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Conetta
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samantha R Coy
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - J Grace Klinges
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
| | - Rebecca L Maher
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | | | - Sonora S Meiling
- University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Adriana Messyasz
- Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Sarah Seabrook
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jordan A Sims
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Alex J Veglia
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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11
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Zelli E, Simancas-Giraldo SM, Xiang N, Dessì C, Katzer ND, Tilstra A, Wild C. Individual and combined effect of organic eutrophication (DOC) and ocean warming on the ecophysiology of the Octocoral Pinnigorgia flava. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14812. [PMID: 36814959 PMCID: PMC9940650 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) enrichment and ocean warming both negatively affect hard corals, but studies on their combined effects on other reef organisms are scarce. Octocorals are likely to become key players in future reef communities, but they are still highly under-investigated with regard to their responses to global and local environmental changes. Thus, we evaluated the individual and combined effects of DOC enrichment (10, 20 and 40 mg L-1 DOC, added as glucose) and warming (stepwise from 26 to 32 °C) on the widespread Indo-Pacific gorgonian Pinnigorgia flava in a 45-day laboratory experiment. Oxygen fluxes (net photosynthesis and respiration), as well as Symbiodiniaceae cell density and coral growth were assessed. Our results highlight a differential ecophysiological response to DOC enrichment and warming as well as their combination. Individual DOC addition did not significantly affect oxygen fluxes nor Symbiodiniaceae cell density and growth, while warming significantly decreased photosynthesis rates and Symbiodiniaceae cell density. When DOC enrichment and warming were combined, no effect on P. flava oxygen fluxes was observed while growth responded to certain DOC conditions depending on the temperature. Our findings indicate that P. flava is insensitive to the individual effect of DOC enrichment, but not to warming and the two stressors combined. This suggests that, if temperature remains below certain thresholds, this gorgonian species may gain a competitive advantage over coral species that are reportedly more affected by DOC eutrophication. However, under the expected increasing temperature scenarios, it is also likely that this octocoral species will be negatively affected, with potential consequences on community structure. This study contributes to our understanding of the conditions that drive phase shift dynamics in coastal coral reef ecosystemds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Zelli
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology & Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany,School of Science, University of Waikato, Tauranga, New Zealand
| | | | - Nan Xiang
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology & Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany,Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Claudia Dessì
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology & Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany,Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nadim Daniel Katzer
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology & Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Arjen Tilstra
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology & Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Christian Wild
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology & Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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12
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Nalley EM, Tuttle LJ, Conklin EE, Barkman AL, Wulstein DM, Schmidbauer MC, Donahue MJ. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the direct effects of nutrients on corals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159093. [PMID: 36183766 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure of coral reefs to elevated nutrient conditions can modify the performance of the coral holobiont and shift the competitive interactions of reef organisms. Many studies have now quantified the links between nutrients and coral performance, but few have translated these studies to directly address coastal water quality standards. To address this management need, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies, public reports, and gray literature that examined the impacts of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN: nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP: phosphate) on scleractinian corals. The systematic review resulted in 47 studies with comparable data on coral holobiont responses to nutrients: symbiont density, chlorophyll a (chl-a) concentration, photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, growth, calcification, adult survival, juvenile survival, and fertilization. Mixed-effects meta-regression meta-analyses were used to determine the magnitude of the positive or negative effects of DIN and DIP on coral responses. Zooxanthellae density (DIN & DIP), chl-a concentration (DIN), photosynthetic rate (DIN), and growth (DIP) all exhibited positive responses to nutrient addition; maximum quantum yield (DIP), growth (DIN), larval survival (DIN), and fertilization (DIN) exhibited negative responses. In lieu of developing specific thresholds for the management of nutrients as a stressor on coral reefs, we highlight important inflection points in the magnitude and direction of the effects of inorganic nutrients and identify trends among coral responses. The responses of corals to nutrients are complex, warranting conservative guidelines for elevated nutrient concentrations on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M Nalley
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA.
| | - Lillian J Tuttle
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA; U.S. Geological Survey, Hawai'i Cooperative Fishery Unit, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Emily E Conklin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Alexandria L Barkman
- Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 41 Ahui Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Devynn M Wulstein
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Madeline C Schmidbauer
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Megan J Donahue
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
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13
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Han JHJ, Stefanak MP, Rodgers KS. Low-level nutrient enrichment during thermal stress delays bleaching and ameliorates calcification in three Hawaiian reef coral species. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13707. [PMID: 35855432 PMCID: PMC9288827 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial-based nutrient pollution has emerged as one of the most detrimental factors to coral health in many reef habitats. Recent studies have shown that excessive dissolved inorganic nutrients can reduce coral thermal tolerance thresholds and even exacerbate bleaching during thermal stress, yet the effects of minor nutrient enrichment under heat stress have not been extensively studied. In this study, Lobactis scutaria, Montipora capitata, and Pocillopora acuta colonies under heated conditions (~30.5 °C) were exposed to low and balanced nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations over a 31-day heating period. Coral colonies were collected from Kāne'ohe Bay, O'ahu, which has a unique history of nutrient pollution, and held in mesocosms that allowed for environmental manipulation yet are also influenced by local field conditions. Principal findings included delays in the bleaching of nutrient-enriched heated colonies as compared to heated-only colonies, in addition to relatively greater calcification rates and lower proportions of early-stage paling. Species-specific outcomes were prevalent, with L. scutaria demonstrating no difference in calcification with enrichment under heat stress. By the end of the heating stage, however, many heated colonies were at least partially impacted by bleaching or mortality. Despite this, our findings suggest that low levels of balanced nutrient enrichment may serve as a mitigative force during thermal events. Further field-based studies will be required to assess these results in different reef habitats.
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14
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Crisp SK, Tebbett SB, Bellwood DR. A critical evaluation of benthic phase shift studies on coral reefs. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 178:105667. [PMID: 35653967 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef decline has accelerated in the last two decades resulting in substantial research into the phenomenon of 'phase shifts' or 'regime shifts'. However, the conclusions drawn from this research have been varied. Some of this variability may stem from methodological approaches, although the extent to which these factors have shaped our understanding remain largely unexplored. To examine this, we conducted a systematic review of the literature. In doing so, we revealed marked variability in the approaches used for studying phase shifts. Notably, very few studies clearly defined what they meant by phase shifts. Therefore, we developed a clarified definition of phase shifts, which specifically defined persistence and dominance. The applicability of this definition was tested on multi-decadal benthic composition data on the Great Barrier Reef. The number of shifts depended critically on the definition selected, suggesting that this may be a primary reason underpinning the variability in past results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha K Crisp
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia.
| | - Sterling B Tebbett
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - David R Bellwood
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
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15
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Lei X, Zhang Y, Jiang L, Luo Y, Zhou G, Sun Y, Huang H. Zonal macroalgae blooms influenced by different aquaculture discharges in the Xuwen fringing reef, southern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153594. [PMID: 35122855 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Reef-building corals are experiencing major impacts from climate change and increasing anthropogenic activities worldwide. Coral reef degradation is associated with the loss of coral species abundance and diversity, followed by an ecological imbalance that commonly occurs with a shift from coral- to macroalgae-dominated community states. The species composition of the bloom-forming macroalgae in the Xuwen National Coral Reef Reserve, southern China, and the associated drivers affecting the composition remain unclear. We investigated the relationship between zonal macroalgae blooms and different aquaculture discharges in this coral reef in March 2016. The structure of macroalgae communities varied greatly among the three study sites, with green and brown algae dominating the high-level pond aquaculture discharge zone; red, green and brown algae dominating the tidal flat aquaculture discharge zone; and green and brown algae dominating in the enclosure aquaculture discharge zone. A significant amount of variation in the structure and composition of the macroalgae community was explained by temperature, total suspended solids (TSS), chlorophyll a (Chla) and dissolved inorganic nutrients (DIN), while temperature and TSS had a significant relationship with these variables. Our findings highlight the negative effects of aquaculture sewage discharges on the health of coral reefs, and we recommend effective and integrated management of anthropogenic sewage discharge into coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinming Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Yong Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Guowei Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Youfang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Hui Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
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16
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Boakes Z, Hall AE, Elvan Ampou E, Jones GC, Gusti Ngurah Agung Suryaputra I, Putu Mahyuni L, Prasetyo R, Stafford R. Coral reef conservation in Bali in light of international best practice, a literature review. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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17
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Holbrook SJ, Wencélius J, Dubel AK, Adam TC, Cook DC, Hunter CE, Lauer M, Lester SE, Miller SD, Rassweiler A, Schmitt RJ. Spatial covariation in nutrient enrichment and fishing of herbivores in an oceanic coral reef ecosystem. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2515. [PMID: 34918841 PMCID: PMC9285716 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Both natural and anthropogenic stressors are increasing on coral reefs, resulting in large-scale loss of coral and potential shifts from coral- to macroalgae-dominated community states. Two factors implicated in shifts to macroalgae are nutrient enrichment and fishing of reef herbivores. Although either of these factors alone could facilitate establishment of macroalgae, reefs may be particularly vulnerable to coral-to-algae phase shifts in which strong bottom-up forcing from nutrient enrichment is accompanied by a weakening of herbivore control of macroalgae via intense fishing. We explored spatial heterogeneity and covariance in these drivers on reefs in the lagoons of Moorea, French Polynesia, where the local fishery heavily targets herbivorous fishes and there are spatially variable inputs of nutrients from agricultural fertilizers and wastewater systems. Spatial patterns of fishing and nutrient enrichment were not correlated at the two landscape scales we examined: among the 11 interconnected lagoons around the island or among major habitats (fringing reef, mid-lagoon, back reef) within a lagoon. This decoupling at the landscape scale resulted from patterns of covariation between enrichment and fishing that differed qualitatively between cross-shore and long-shore directions. At the cross-shore scale, nutrient enrichment declined but fishing increased from shore to the crest of the barrier reef. By contrast, nutrient enrichment and fishing were positively correlated in the long-shore direction, with both increasing with proximity to a pass in the barrier reef. Contrary to widespread assumptions in the scientific literature that human coastal population density correlates with impact on marine ecosystems and that fishing effort declines linearly with distance from the shore, these local stressors produced a complex spatial mosaic of reef vulnerabilities. Our findings support spatially explicit management involving the control of anthropogenic nutrients and strategic reductions in fishing pressure on herbivores by highlighting specific areas to target for management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally J. Holbrook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jean Wencélius
- Department of AnthropologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alexandra K. Dubel
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Thomas C. Adam
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Dana C. Cook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chelsea E. Hunter
- Department of AnthropologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of AnthropologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Matthew Lauer
- Department of AnthropologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sarah E. Lester
- Department of GeographyFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Scott D. Miller
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Andrew Rassweiler
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Russell J. Schmitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
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18
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Reverter M, Helber SB, Rohde S, de Goeij JM, Schupp PJ. Coral reef benthic community changes in the Anthropocene: Biogeographic heterogeneity, overlooked configurations, and methodology. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:1956-1971. [PMID: 34951504 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Non-random community changes are becoming more frequent in many ecosystems. In coral reefs, changes towards communities dominated by other than hard corals are increasing in frequency, with severe impacts on ecosystem functioning and provision of ecosystem services. Although new research suggests that a variety of alternative communities (i.e. not dominated by hard corals) exist, knowledge on the global diversity and functioning of alternative coral reef benthic communities, especially those not dominated by algae, remains scattered. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 523 articles, we analyse the different coral reef benthic community changes reported to date and discuss the advantages and limitations of the methods used to study these changes. Furthermore, we used field cover data (1116 reefs from the ReefCheck database) to explore the biogeographic and latitudinal patterns in dominant benthic organisms. We found a mismatch between literature focus on coral-algal changes (over half of the studies analysed) and observed global natural patterns. We identified strong biogeographic patterns, with the largest and most biodiverse biogeographic regions (Western and Central Indo-Pacific) presenting previously overlooked soft-coral-dominated communities as the most abundant alternative community. Finally, we discuss the potential biases associated with methods that overlook ecologically important cryptobenthic communities and the potential of new technological advances in improving monitoring efforts. As coral reef communities inevitably and swiftly change under changing ocean conditions, there is an urgent need to better understand the distribution, dynamics as well as the ecological and societal impacts of these new communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Reverter
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Stephanie B Helber
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Sven Rohde
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Jasper M de Goeij
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology (FAME), Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Schupp
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), Oldenburg, Germany
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19
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Alves C, Valdivia A, Aronson RB, Bood N, Castillo KD, Cox C, Fieseler C, Locklear Z, McField M, Mudge L, Umbanhowar J, Bruno JF. Twenty years of change in benthic communities across the Belizean Barrier Reef. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0249155. [PMID: 35041688 PMCID: PMC8765652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease, storms, ocean warming, and pollution have caused the mass mortality of reef-building corals across the Caribbean over the last four decades. Subsequently, stony corals have been replaced by macroalgae, bacterial mats, and invertebrates including soft corals and sponges, causing changes to the functioning of Caribbean reef ecosystems. Here we describe changes in the absolute cover of benthic reef taxa, including corals, gorgonians, sponges, and algae, at 15 fore-reef sites (12-15m depth) across the Belizean Barrier Reef (BBR) from 1997 to 2016. We also tested whether Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), in which fishing was prohibited but likely still occurred, mitigated these changes. Additionally, we determined whether ocean-temperature anomalies (measured via satellite) or local human impacts (estimated using the Human Influence Index, HII) were related to changes in benthic community structure. We observed a reduction in the cover of reef-building corals, including the long-lived, massive corals Orbicella spp. (from 13 to 2%), and an increase in fleshy and corticated macroalgae across most sites. These and other changes to the benthic communities were unaffected by local protection. The covers of hard-coral taxa, including Acropora spp., Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella spp., and Porites spp., were negatively related to the frequency of ocean-temperature anomalies. Only gorgonian cover was related, negatively, to our metric of the magnitude of local impacts (HII). Our results suggest that benthic communities along the BBR have experienced disturbances that are beyond the capacity of the current management structure to mitigate. We recommend that managers devote greater resources and capacity to enforcing and expanding existing marine protected areas and to mitigating local stressors, and most importantly, that government, industry, and the public act immediately to reduce global carbon emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Alves
- Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- ECS Federal, Inc., in support of Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Social Science Branch, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Narragansett, RI, United States of America
| | | | - Richard B. Aronson
- Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nadia Bood
- World Wildlife Fund Mesoamerica, Belize Field Programme Office, Belize City, Belize, Central America
| | - Karl D. Castillo
- Department of Marine Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Courtney Cox
- Rare, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Clare Fieseler
- Science, Technology, and International Affairs Program, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Zachary Locklear
- Green Bay Wildlife Conservation Office, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, New Franken, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Melanie McField
- Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, Smithsonian Institution, Fort Pierce, FL, United States of America
| | - Laura Mudge
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Integral Consulting Inc., Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America
| | - James Umbanhowar
- Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - John F. Bruno
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Dubé CE, Ziegler M, Mercière A, Boissin E, Planes S, Bourmaud CAF, Voolstra CR. Naturally occurring fire coral clones demonstrate a genetic and environmental basis of microbiome composition. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6402. [PMID: 34737272 PMCID: PMC8568919 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26543-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral microbiomes are critical to holobiont functioning, but much remains to be understood about how prevailing environment and host genotype affect microbial communities in ecosystems. Resembling human identical twin studies, we examined bacterial community differences of naturally occurring fire coral clones within and between contrasting reef habitats to assess the relative contribution of host genotype and environment to microbiome structure. Bacterial community composition of coral clones differed between reef habitats, highlighting the contribution of the environment. Similarly, but to a lesser extent, microbiomes varied across different genotypes in identical habitats, denoting the influence of host genotype. Predictions of genomic function based on taxonomic profiles suggest that environmentally determined taxa supported a functional restructuring of the microbial metabolic network. In contrast, bacteria determined by host genotype seemed to be functionally redundant. Our study suggests microbiome flexibility as a mechanism of environmental adaptation with association of different bacterial taxa partially dependent on host genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. E. Dubé
- grid.11642.300000 0001 2111 2608UMR 9220 ENTROPIE, UR-IRD-CNRS-UNC-IFREMER, Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, CS 92003, 97744 Saint-Denis Cedex, La Réunion France ,grid.11136.340000 0001 2192 5916PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France ,Laboratoire d’Excellence “CORAIL”, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea French Polynesia ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec City, G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - M. Ziegler
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 IFZ, 35392 Giessen, Germany ,grid.45672.320000 0001 1926 5090Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955 Saudi Arabia
| | - A. Mercière
- grid.11136.340000 0001 2192 5916PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France ,Laboratoire d’Excellence “CORAIL”, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea French Polynesia
| | - E. Boissin
- grid.11136.340000 0001 2192 5916PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France ,Laboratoire d’Excellence “CORAIL”, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea French Polynesia
| | - S. Planes
- grid.11136.340000 0001 2192 5916PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France ,Laboratoire d’Excellence “CORAIL”, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea French Polynesia
| | - C. A. -F. Bourmaud
- grid.11642.300000 0001 2111 2608UMR 9220 ENTROPIE, UR-IRD-CNRS-UNC-IFREMER, Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, CS 92003, 97744 Saint-Denis Cedex, La Réunion France ,Laboratoire d’Excellence “CORAIL”, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea French Polynesia
| | - C. R. Voolstra
- grid.45672.320000 0001 1926 5090Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955 Saudi Arabia ,grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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Lesser MP. Eutrophication on Coral Reefs: What Is the Evidence for Phase Shifts, Nutrient Limitation and Coral Bleaching. Bioscience 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Coral reefs continue to experience extreme environmental pressure from climate change stressors, but many coral reefs are also exposed to eutrophication. It has been proposed that changes in the stoichiometry of ambient nutrients increase the mortality of corals, whereas eutrophication may facilitate phase shifts to macroalgae-dominated coral reefs when herbivory is low or absent. But are corals ever nutrient limited, and can eutrophication destabilize the coral symbiosis making it more sensitive to environmental stress because of climate change? The effects of eutrophication are confounded not just by the effects of climate change but by the presence of chemical pollutants in industrial, urban, and agricultural wastes. Because of these confounding effects, the increases in nutrients or changes in their stoichiometry in coastal environments, although they are important at the organismal and community level, cannot currently be disentangled from each other or from the more significant effects of climate change stressors on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Lesser
- University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States
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22
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Comeros-Raynal MT, Brodie J, Bainbridge Z, Choat JH, Curtis M, Lewis S, Stevens T, Shuler CK, Sudek M, Hoey AS. Catchment to sea connection: Impacts of terrestrial run-off on benthic ecosystems in American Samoa. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 169:112530. [PMID: 34087665 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Variation in water quality can directly affect the composition of benthic assemblages on coral reefs. Yet, few studies have directly quantified nutrient and suspended particulate matter (SPM) to examine their potential impacts on benthic community structure, especially around high oceanic islands. We assessed the spatio-temporal variation of nutrients and SPM across six sites in American Samoa over a 12-month period and used exploratory path analysis to relate dissolved inorganic nutrients, land use, and natural and anthropogenic drivers to benthic assemblages on adjacent shallow reefs. Multivariate analyses showed clear gradients in nutrient concentrations, sediment accumulation and composition, and benthic structure across watersheds. Instream nutrients and land uses positively influenced reef flat nutrient concentrations, while benthic assemblages were best predicted by wave exposure, runoff, stream phosphate and dissolved inorganic nitrogen loads. Identifying locality-specific drivers of water quality and benthic condition can support targeted management in American Samoa and in other high islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia T Comeros-Raynal
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia.
| | - Jon Brodie
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Zoe Bainbridge
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - John Howard Choat
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Meagan Curtis
- American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago, AS 96799, USA
| | - Stephen Lewis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Thomas Stevens
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Christopher K Shuler
- Division of Earth Sciences, Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI 96822, USA
| | | | - Andrew S Hoey
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
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Abstract
Indirect effects in ecotoxicology are defined as chemical- or pollutant-induced alterations in the density or behavior of sensitive species that have cascading effects on tolerant species in natural systems. As a result, species interaction networks (e.g., interactions associated with predation or competition) may be altered in such a way as to bring about large changes in populations and/or communities that may further cascade to disrupt ecosystem function and services. Field studies and experimental outcomes as well as models indicate that indirect effects are most likely to occur in communities in which the strength of interactions and the sensitivity to contaminants differ markedly among species, and that indirect effects will vary over space and time as species composition, trophic structure, and environmental factors vary. However, knowledge of indirect effects is essential to improve understanding of the potential for chemical harm in natural systems. For example, indirect effects may confound laboratory-based ecological risk assessment by enhancing, masking, or spuriously indicating the direct effect of chemical contaminants. Progress to better anticipate and interpret the significance of indirect effects will be made as monitoring programs and long-term ecological research are conducted that facilitate critical experimental field and mesocosm investigations, and as chemical transport and fate models, individual-based direct effects models, and ecosystem/food web models continue to be improved and become better integrated.
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