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Auliz-Ortiz DM, Benítez-Malvido J, Arroyo-Rodríguez V, Dirzo R, Pérez-Farrera MÁ, Luna-Reyes R, Mendoza E, Álvarez-Añorve MY, Álvarez-Sánchez J, Arias-Ataide DM, Ávila-Cabadilla LD, Botello F, Braasch M, Casas A, Campos-Villanueva DÁ, Cedeño-Vázquez JR, Chávez-Tovar JC, Coates R, Dechnik-Vázquez Y, del Coro Arizmendi M, Dias PA, Dorado O, Enríquez P, Escalona-Segura G, Farías-González V, Favila ME, García A, García-Morales LJ, Gavito-Pérez F, Gómez-Domínguez H, González-García F, González-Zamora A, Cuevas-Guzmán R, Haro-Belchez E, Hernández-Huerta AH, Hernández-Ordoñez O, Horváth A, Ibarra-Manríquez G, Lavín-Murcio PA, Lira-Saade R, López-Díaz K, MacSwiney G. MC, Mandujano S, Martínez-Camilo R, Martínez-Ávalos JG, Martínez-Meléndez N, Monroy-Ojeda A, Mora F, Mora-Olivo A, Muench C, Peña-Mondragón JL, Percino-Daniel R, Ramírez-Marcial N, Reyna-Hurtado R, Rodríguez-Ruíz ER, Sánchez-Cordero V, Suazo-Ortuño I, Terán-Juárez SA, Valdivieso-Pérez IA, Valencia V, Valenzuela-Galván D, Vargas-Contreras JA, Vázquez-Pérez JR, Vega-Rivera JH, Venegas-Barrera CS, Martínez-Ramos M. Underlying and proximate drivers of biodiversity changes in Mesoamerican biosphere reserves. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2305944121. [PMID: 38252845 PMCID: PMC10861858 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305944121] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Protected areas are of paramount relevance to conserving wildlife and ecosystem contributions to people. Yet, their conservation success is increasingly threatened by human activities including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and species overexploitation. Thus, understanding the underlying and proximate drivers of anthropogenic threats is urgently needed to improve protected areas' effectiveness, especially in the biodiversity-rich tropics. We addressed this issue by analyzing expert-provided data on long-term biodiversity change (last three decades) over 14 biosphere reserves from the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot. Using multivariate analyses and structural equation modeling, we tested the influence of major socioeconomic drivers (demographic, economic, and political factors), spatial indicators of human activities (agriculture expansion and road extension), and forest landscape modifications (forest loss and isolation) as drivers of biodiversity change. We uncovered a significant proliferation of disturbance-tolerant guilds and the loss or decline of disturbance-sensitive guilds within reserves causing a "winner and loser" species replacement over time. Guild change was directly related to forest spatial changes promoted by the expansion of agriculture and roads within reserves. High human population density and low nonfarming occupation were identified as the main underlying drivers of biodiversity change. Our findings suggest that to mitigate anthropogenic threats to biodiversity within biosphere reserves, fostering human population well-being via sustainable, nonfarming livelihood opportunities around reserves is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Martín Auliz-Ortiz
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
| | - Julieta Benítez-Malvido
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
| | - Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida97357, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo Dirzo
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA9430
- Department of Earth Systems Science, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA9430
| | - Miguel Ángel Pérez-Farrera
- Herbario Eizi Matuda, Laboratorio de Ecología, Evolutiva, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez29039, Mexico
| | - Roberto Luna-Reyes
- Dirección de Áreas Naturales y Vida Silvestre, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente e Historia Natural, Tuxtla Gutiérrez29000, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Mendoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia58337, Mexico
| | | | - Javier Álvarez-Sánchez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México04510, Mexico
| | - Dulce María Arias-Ataide
- Centro de Investigación y Educación Ambiental Sierra de Huautla, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca62914, Mexico
| | - Luis Daniel Ávila-Cabadilla
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida97357, Mexico
| | - Francisco Botello
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México04510, Mexico
| | - Marco Braasch
- Faktorgruen, Landschaftsarchitekten bdla Beratende Ingenieure, Abteilung Landschaftsplanung, Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg78628, Germany
| | - Alejandro Casas
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
| | - Delfino Álvaro Campos-Villanueva
- Estación de Biología Tropical Los Tuxtlas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz95701, Mexico
| | - José Rogelio Cedeño-Vázquez
- Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal, Chetumal77014, Mexico
| | - José Cuauhtémoc Chávez-Tovar
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Lerma, Lerma, Estado de México52006, Mexico
| | - Rosamond Coates
- Estación de Biología Tropical Los Tuxtlas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz95701, Mexico
| | - Yanus Dechnik-Vázquez
- Pre-Planning Center of the Gulf, Federal Electricity Comission, Boca del Río, Veracruz94295, Mexico
| | - María del Coro Arizmendi
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalneplantla54090, Mexico
| | - Pedro Américo Dias
- Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz91190, Mexico
| | - Oscar Dorado
- Centro de Investigación y Educación Ambiental Sierra de Huautla, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca62914, Mexico
| | - Paula Enríquez
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad San Cristóbal, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas29290, Mexico
| | - Griselda Escalona-Segura
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Campeche24500, Mexico
| | - Verónica Farías-González
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalneplantla54090, Mexico
| | - Mario E. Favila
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz91070, Mexico
| | - Andrés García
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, San Patricio48980, Mexico
| | - Leccinum Jesús García-Morales
- Departamento de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas87010, Mexico
| | - Fernando Gavito-Pérez
- Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra de Manantlán, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Autlán de Navarro48903, Mexico
| | - Héctor Gómez-Domínguez
- Herbario Eizi Matuda, Laboratorio de Ecología, Evolutiva, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez29039, Mexico
| | - Fernando González-García
- Red Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz91073, Mexico
| | - Arturo González-Zamora
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz911901, Mexico
| | - Ramón Cuevas-Guzmán
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, Autlán de Navarro48900, Mexico
| | | | | | - Omar Hernández-Ordoñez
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México04510, Mexico
| | - Anna Horváth
- Quirón, Centro de Intervenciones Asistidas con Equinos y Formación para el Bienestar y Sustentabilidad, Asociación Civil, Comitán de Domínguez30039, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Ibarra-Manríquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
| | - Pablo Antonio Lavín-Murcio
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua32315, Mexico
| | - Rafael Lira-Saade
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalneplantla54090, Mexico
| | - Karime López-Díaz
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Cognitivas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca62209, Mexico
| | | | - Salvador Mandujano
- Red Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz91073, Mexico
| | - Rubén Martínez-Camilo
- Unidad Villa Corzo, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Villa de Corzo30520, Mexico
| | | | - Nayely Martínez-Meléndez
- Orquidario y Jardín Botánico "Comitán", Secretaría de Medio Ambiente e Historia Natural, Comitán de Domínguez30106, Mexico
| | | | - Francisco Mora
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
| | - Arturo Mora-Olivo
- Instituto de Ecología Aplicada, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas87019, Mexico
| | - Carlos Muench
- Coordinación Universitaria para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México04510, Mexico
| | - Juan L. Peña-Mondragón
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología -Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
| | - Ruth Percino-Daniel
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México04510, Mexico
| | - Neptalí Ramírez-Marcial
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad San Cristóbal, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas29290, Mexico
| | - Rafael Reyna-Hurtado
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Campeche24500, Mexico
| | - Erick Rubén Rodríguez-Ruíz
- Comisión de Parques y Biodiversidad de Tamaulipas, Gobierno del Estado de Tamaulipas, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas87083, Mexico
| | - Víctor Sánchez-Cordero
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México04510, Mexico
| | - Ireri Suazo-Ortuño
- Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia58337, Mexico
| | - Sergio Alejandro Terán-Juárez
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Campus Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas87010, Mexico
| | - Ingrid Abril Valdivieso-Pérez
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Tecnológico de Conkal, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Conkal97345, Mexico
| | - Vivian Valencia
- Department of Environment, Agriculture and Geography, Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, QCJ1M 1Z7, Canada
| | - David Valenzuela-Galván
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca62209, Mexico
| | | | - José Raúl Vázquez-Pérez
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad San Cristóbal, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas29290, Mexico
| | - Jorge Humberto Vega-Rivera
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, San Patricio48980, Mexico
| | - Crystian Sadiel Venegas-Barrera
- Departamento de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas87010, Mexico
| | - Miguel Martínez-Ramos
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia58190, Mexico
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Schiettekatte NMD, Conte F, French B, Brandl SJ, Fulton CJ, Mercière A, Norin T, Villéger S, Parravicini V. Combining stereo-video monitoring and physiological trials to estimate reef fish metabolic demands in the wild. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9084. [PMID: 35813930 PMCID: PMC9254678 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Organismal metabolic rates (MRs) are the basis of energy and nutrient fluxes through ecosystems. In the marine realm, fishes are some of the most prominent consumers. However, their metabolic demand in the wild (field MR [FMR]) is poorly documented, because it is challenging to measure directly. Here, we introduce a novel approach to estimating the component of FMR associated with voluntary activity (i.e., the field active MR [AM R field ] ). Our approach combines laboratory-based respirometry, swimming speeds, and field-based stereo-video systems to estimate the activity of individuals. We exemplify our approach by focusing on six coral reef fish species, for which we quantified standard MR and maximum MR (SMR and MMR, respectively) in the laboratory, and body sizes and swimming speeds in the field. Based on the relationships between MR, body size, and swimming speeds, we estimate that the activity scope (i.e., the ratio betweenAM R field and SMR) varies from 1.2 to 3.2 across species and body sizes. Furthermore, we illustrate that the scaling exponent forAM R field varies across species and can substantially exceed the widely assumed value of 0.75 for SMR. Finally, by scaling organismalAM R field estimates to the assemblage level, we show the potential effect of this variability on community metabolic demand. Our approach may improve our ability to estimate elemental fluxes mediated by a critically important group of aquatic animals through a non-destructive, widely applicable technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina M. D. Schiettekatte
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRSUSR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de PerpignanPerpignanFrance
- Laboratoire d'Excellence “CORAIL”PerpignanFrance
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at MānoaHawaiiUSA
| | - Francesca Conte
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRSUSR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de PerpignanPerpignanFrance
- Laboratoire d'Excellence “CORAIL”PerpignanFrance
| | - Beverly French
- Center for Marine Biodiversity and ConservationScripps Institution of Oceanography, University of CaliforniaSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Simon J. Brandl
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRSUSR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de PerpignanPerpignanFrance
- Laboratoire d'Excellence “CORAIL”PerpignanFrance
- CESAB‐FRBMontpellierFrance
- Department of Marine Science, Marine Science InstituteThe University of Texas at AustinPort AransasTexasUSA
| | - Christopher J. Fulton
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceIndian Ocean Marine Research CentreCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Alexandre Mercière
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRSUSR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de PerpignanPerpignanFrance
- Laboratoire d'Excellence “CORAIL”PerpignanFrance
| | - Tommy Norin
- DTU Aqua: National Institute of Aquatic ResourcesTechnical University of DenmarkKgs. LyngbyDenmark
| | | | - Valeriano Parravicini
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRSUSR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de PerpignanPerpignanFrance
- Laboratoire d'Excellence “CORAIL”PerpignanFrance
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Ahmed N, Mohamed HF, Xu C, Sun X, Huang L. Novel antibacterial activity of Sargassum fusiforme extract against coral white band disease. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Pratchett MS, Caballes CF, Cvitanovic C, Raymundo ML, Babcock RC, Bonin MC, Bozec YM, Burn D, Byrne M, Castro-Sanguino C, Chen CCM, Condie SA, Cowan ZL, Deaker DJ, Desbiens A, Devantier LM, Doherty PJ, Doll PC, Doyle JR, Dworjanyn SA, Fabricius KE, Haywood MDE, Hock K, Hoggett AK, Høj L, Keesing JK, Kenchington RA, Lang BJ, Ling SD, Matthews SA, McCallum HI, Mellin C, Mos B, Motti CA, Mumby PJ, Stump RJW, Uthicke S, Vail L, Wolfe K, Wilson SK. Knowledge Gaps in the Biology, Ecology, and Management of the Pacific Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star Acanthaster sp. on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2021; 241:330-346. [PMID: 35015620 DOI: 10.1086/717026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
AbstractCrown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster sp.) are among the most studied coral reef organisms, owing to their propensity to undergo major population irruptions, which contribute to significant coral loss and reef degradation throughout the Indo-Pacific. However, there are still important knowledge gaps pertaining to the biology, ecology, and management of Acanthaster sp. Renewed efforts to advance understanding and management of Pacific crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster sp.) on Australia's Great Barrier Reef require explicit consideration of relevant and tractable knowledge gaps. Drawing on established horizon scanning methodologies, this study identified contemporary knowledge gaps by asking active and/or established crown-of-thorns sea star researchers to pose critical research questions that they believe should be addressed to improve the understanding and management of crown-of-thorns sea stars on the Great Barrier Reef. A total of 38 participants proposed 246 independent research questions, organized into 7 themes: feeding ecology, demography, distribution and abundance, predation, settlement, management, and environmental change. Questions were further assigned to 48 specific topics nested within the 7 themes. During this process, redundant questions were removed, which reduced the total number of distinct research questions to 172. Research questions posed were mostly related to themes of demography (46 questions) and management (48 questions). The dominant topics, meanwhile, were the incidence of population irruptions (16 questions), feeding ecology of larval sea stars (15 questions), effects of elevated water temperature on crown-of-thorns sea stars (13 questions), and predation on juveniles (12 questions). While the breadth of questions suggests that there is considerable research needed to improve understanding and management of crown-of-thorns sea stars on the Great Barrier Reef, the predominance of certain themes and topics suggests a major focus for new research while also providing a roadmap to guide future research efforts.
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Lin YJ, Rabaoui L, Basali AU, Lopez M, Lindo R, Krishnakumar PK, Qurban MA, Prihartato PK, Cortes DL, Qasem A, Al-Abdulkader K, Roa-Ureta RH. Long-term ecological changes in fishes and macro-invertebrates in the world's warmest coral reefs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:142254. [PMID: 33182216 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Arabian Gulf is a natural laboratory for examining the consequences of large-scale disturbances due to global warming on coral reef ecosystems because of its extreme temperature regime. Using a coral reef monitoring time series extending from 1985 to 2015, we examined the long-term ecological changes in fish and macro-invertebrate communities as these habitats suffered heat shocks. We used a GLMM modelling framework to obtain clean annual signals in community indicators from noisy data. We also visualized temporal change in the taxonomic composition of fishes and macro-invertebrates. A phase shift from predominantly reef-building corals to barren grounds occurred between 1996 and 2000. Macro-invertebrates responded rapidly, and most of associated indicators recovered to pre-shift levels in 15 years. Fishes generally had lagged responses to the phase shift and had shifted to a new state with lower abundance, as well as different species composition. Increased levels of herbivory first by macro-invertebrates, mostly sea urchins, and then fishes, could have suppressed macro-algae expansion and consequently led to the dominance of barren ground. When the phase shift occurred, most of the 14 fish families declined in abundance while macro-invertebrate groups increased. Fish families able to utilize non-coral habitats appeared more resilient to the disturbances and subsequent coral degradation. Unlike other regions, we observed high resilience of the coral-dependent butterflyfishes to coral loss, possibly due to local migration from other less-impacted coral reefs. We hypothesized a top-down control mechanism mediated by predation by fishes has contributed to shaping the temporal and spatial patterns of the macro-invertebrates. Our results also revealed differences in spatial preferences among fishes and macro-invertebrate groups, which could be used to set priorities and develop effective conservation and management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jia Lin
- Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullajid Usama Basali
- Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maclopez Lopez
- Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reynaldo Lindo
- Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Periyadan K Krishnakumar
- Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad A Qurban
- Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Diego Lozano Cortes
- Environmental Protection Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Qasem
- Environmental Protection Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
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Rapid onsets of warming events trigger mass mortality of coral reef fish. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:25378-25385. [PMID: 32958634 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009748117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Our study reveals a hitherto overlooked ecological threat of climate change. Studies of warming events in the ocean have typically focused on the events' maximum temperature and duration as the cause of devastating disturbances in coral reefs, kelp forests, and rocky shores. In this study, however, we found that the rate of onset (Ronset), rather than the peak, was the likely trigger of mass mortality of coral reef fishes in the Red Sea. Following a steep rise in water temperature (4.2 °C in 2.5 d), thermally stressed fish belonging to dozens of species became fatally infected by Streptococcus iniae Piscivores and benthivores were disproportionately impacted whereas zooplanktivores were spared. Mortality rates peaked 2 wk later, coinciding with a second warming event with extreme Ronset The epizootic lasted ∼2 mo, extending beyond the warming events through the consumption of pathogen-laden carcasses by uninfected fish. The warming was widespread, with an evident decline in wind speed, barometric pressure, and latent heat flux. A reassessment of past reports suggests that steep Ronset was also the probable trigger of mass mortalities of wild fish elsewhere. If the ongoing increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heat waves is associated with a corresponding increase in the frequency of extreme Ronset, calamities inflicted on coral reefs by the warming oceans may extend far beyond coral bleaching.
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Magel JMT, Dimoff SA, Baum JK. Direct and indirect effects of climate change-amplified pulse heat stress events on coral reef fish communities. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02124. [PMID: 32167633 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Climate change-amplified temperature anomalies pose an imminent threat to coral reef ecosystems. While much focus has been placed on the effects of heat stress on scleractinian corals-including bleaching, mortality, and loss of reef structural complexity-and many studies have documented changes to reef fish communities arising indirectly from shifts in benthic composition, the direct impacts of heat stress on reef fish are much less well understood. Here, we quantify the direct and indirect effects of heat stress on reef fishes, using underwater visual censuses of coral reef fish communities conducted before, during, and after the 2015-2016 El Niño-induced global coral bleaching event. Surveys took place at the epicenter of this event, at 16 sites on Kiritimati (Republic of Kiribati; central equatorial Pacific) spanning across a gradient of local human disturbance. We expected that heat stress would have both direct and indirect negative effects on the reef fish community, with direct effects resulting from physiological stress during the event and indirect effects manifesting afterward as a consequence of coral mortality, and that the ability of fish communities to recover following the heat stress would depend on levels of local human disturbance. We found that total reef fish biomass and abundance declined by >50% during heat stress, likely as a result of vertical migration of fish to cooler waters. One year after the cessation of heat stress, however, total biomass, abundance, and species richness had recovered to, or even exceeded, pre-heat stress levels. However, the biomass of corallivores declined by over 70% following severe coral loss, and reefs exposed to higher levels of local human disturbance showed impaired recovery following the heat stress. These findings enhance understanding of the projected impacts of climate change-associated marine heatwaves on reef fishes, and highlight the interacting effects of local and global stressors on this vital component of coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M T Magel
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Sean A Dimoff
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Julia K Baum
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, Hawaii, 96744, USA
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8
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Domenici P, Steffensen JF, Marras S. The effect of hypoxia on fish schooling. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0236. [PMID: 28673914 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-oxygen areas are expanding in the oceans as a result of climate change. Work carried out during the past two decades suggests that, in addition to impairing basic physiological functions, hypoxia can also affect fish behaviour. Given that many fish species are known to school, and that schooling is advantageous for their survival, the effect of hypoxia on schooling behaviour may have important ecological consequences. Here, we review the effects of hypoxia on school structure and dynamics, together with the mechanisms that cause an increase in school volume and that ultimately lead to school disruption. Furthermore, the effect of hypoxia generates a number of trade-offs in terms of schooling positions and school structure. Field observations have found that large schools of fish can exacerbate hypoxic conditions, with potential consequences for school structure and size. Therefore, previous models that predict the maximum size attainable by fish schools in relation to oxygen levels are also reviewed. Finally, we suggest that studies on the effect of hypoxia on schooling need to be integrated with those on temperature and ocean acidifications within a framework aimed at increasing our ability to predict the effect of multiple stressors of climate change on fish behaviour.This article is part of the themed issue 'Physiological determinants of social behaviour in animals'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Domenici
- IAMC-CNR, Institute for the Coastal Marine Environment, National Research Council, Torregrande 09170, Oristano, Italy
| | - John F Steffensen
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Københavns Universitet, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Stefano Marras
- IAMC-CNR, Institute for the Coastal Marine Environment, National Research Council, Torregrande 09170, Oristano, Italy
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9
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York PH, Smith TM, Coles RG, McKenna SA, Connolly RM, Irving AD, Jackson EL, McMahon K, Runcie JW, Sherman CDH, Sullivan BK, Trevathan-Tackett SM, Brodersen KE, Carter AB, Ewers CJ, Lavery PS, Roelfsema CM, Sinclair EA, Strydom S, Tanner JE, van Dijk KJ, Warry FY, Waycott M, Whitehead S. Identifying knowledge gaps in seagrass research and management: An Australian perspective. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 127:163-172. [PMID: 27342125 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass species form important marine and estuarine habitats providing valuable ecosystem services and functions. Coastal zones that are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic development have experienced substantial declines in seagrass abundance around the world. Australia, which has some of the world's largest seagrass meadows and is home to over half of the known species, is not immune to these losses. In 1999 a review of seagrass ecosystems knowledge was conducted in Australia and strategic research priorities were developed to provide research direction for future studies and management. Subsequent rapid evolution of seagrass research and scientific methods has led to more than 70% of peer reviewed seagrass literature being produced since that time. A workshop was held as part of the Australian Marine Sciences Association conference in July 2015 in Geelong, Victoria, to update and redefine strategic priorities in seagrass research. Participants identified 40 research questions from 10 research fields (taxonomy and systematics, physiology, population biology, sediment biogeochemistry and microbiology, ecosystem function, faunal habitats, threats, rehabilitation and restoration, mapping and monitoring, management tools) as priorities for future research on Australian seagrasses. Progress in research will rely on advances in areas such as remote sensing, genomic tools, microsensors, computer modeling, and statistical analyses. A more interdisciplinary approach will be needed to facilitate greater understanding of the complex interactions among seagrasses and their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul H York
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, QLD, Australia.
| | - Timothy M Smith
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Rob G Coles
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, QLD, Australia
| | - Skye A McKenna
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, QLD, Australia
| | - Rod M Connolly
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment, Griffith University, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew D Irving
- School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, QLD, Australia
| | - Emma L Jackson
- School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, QLD, Australia
| | - Kathryn McMahon
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, WA, Australia
| | - John W Runcie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Craig D H Sherman
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Stacy M Trevathan-Tackett
- Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kasper E Brodersen
- Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alex B Carter
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, QLD, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Ewers
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul S Lavery
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, WA, Australia
| | - Chris M Roelfsema
- Remote Sensing Research Center, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Sinclair
- School of Plant Biology and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
| | - Simone Strydom
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, WA, Australia
| | - Jason E Tanner
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, SA, Australia; University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Fiona Y Warry
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, VIC, Australia
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10
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Illing B, Rummer JL. Physiology can contribute to better understanding, management, and conservation of coral reef fishes. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox005. [PMID: 28852508 PMCID: PMC5570121 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef fishes, like many other marine organisms, are affected by anthropogenic stressors such as fishing and pollution and, owing to climate change, are experiencing increasing water temperatures and ocean acidification. Against the backdrop of these various stressors, a mechanistic understanding of processes governing individual organismal performance is the first step for identifying drivers of coral reef fish population dynamics. In fact, physiological measurements can help to reveal potential cause-and-effect relationships and enable physiologists to advise conservation management by upscaling results from cellular and individual organismal levels to population levels. Here, we highlight studies that include physiological measurements of coral reef fishes and those that give advice for their conservation. A literature search using combined physiological, conservation and coral reef fish key words resulted in ~1900 studies, of which only 99 matched predefined requirements. We observed that, over the last 20 years, the combination of physiological and conservation aspects in studies on coral reef fishes has received increased attention. Most of the selected studies made their physiological observations at the whole organism level and used their findings to give conservation advice on population dynamics, habitat use or the potential effects of climate change. The precision of the recommendations differed greatly and, not surprisingly, was least concrete when studies examined the effects of projected climate change scenarios. Although more and more physiological studies on coral reef fishes include conservation aspects, there is still a lack of concrete advice for conservation managers, with only very few published examples of physiological findings leading to improved management practices. We conclude with a call to action to foster better knowledge exchange between natural scientists and conservation managers to translate physiological findings more effectively in order to obtain evidence-based and adaptive management strategies for the conservation of coral reef fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Illing
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg D-22767, Germany
| | - Jodie L. Rummer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
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11
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Brooker RM, Hay ME, Dixson DL. Chemically cued suppression of coral reef resilience: Where is the tipping point? CORAL REEFS (ONLINE) 2016; 35:1263-1270. [PMID: 28781576 PMCID: PMC5539962 DOI: 10.1007/s00338-016-1474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs worldwide are shifting from high-diversity, coral-dominated communities to low-diversity systems dominated by seaweeds. This shift can impact essential recovery processes such as larval recruitment and ecosystem resilience. Recent evidence suggests that chemical cues from certain corals attract, and from certain seaweeds suppress, recruitment of juvenile fishes, with loss of coral cover and increases in seaweed cover creating negative feedbacks that prevent reef recovery and sustain seaweed dominance. Unfortunately, the level of seaweed increase and coral decline that creates this chemically cued tipping point remains unknown, depriving managers of data-based targets to prevent damaging feedbacks. We conducted flume and field assays that suggest juvenile fishes sense and respond to cues produced by low levels of seaweed cover. However, the herbivore species we tested was more tolerant of degraded reef cues than non-herbivores, possibly providing some degree of resilience if these fishes recruit, consume macroalgae, and diminish negative cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan M Brooker
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
- School of Biology and Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0230, USA
| | - Mark E Hay
- School of Biology and Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0230, USA
| | - Danielle L Dixson
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
- School of Biology and Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0230, USA
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12
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Briand MJ, Bonnet X, Guillou G, Letourneur Y. Complex food webs in highly diversified coral reefs: Insights from δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes. FOOD WEBS 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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13
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Farrell H, Seebacher F, O'Connor W, Zammit A, Harwood DT, Murray S. Warm temperature acclimation impacts metabolism of paralytic shellfish toxins from Alexandrium minutum in commercial oysters. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2015; 21:3402-3413. [PMID: 26032975 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Species of Alexandrium produce potent neurotoxins termed paralytic shellfish toxins and are expanding their ranges worldwide, concurrent with increases in sea surface temperature. The metabolism of molluscs is temperature dependent, and increases in ocean temperature may influence both the abundance and distribution of Alexandrium and the dynamics of toxin uptake and depuration in shellfish. Here, we conducted a large-scale study of the effect of temperature on the uptake and depuration of paralytic shellfish toxins in three commercial oysters (Saccostrea glomerata and diploid and triploid Crassostrea gigas, n = 252 per species/ploidy level). Oysters were acclimated to two constant temperatures, reflecting current and predicted climate scenarios (22 and 27 °C), and fed a diet including the paralytic shellfish toxin-producing species Alexandrium minutum. While the oysters fed on A. minutum in similar quantities, concentrations of the toxin analogue GTX1,4 were significantly lower in warm-acclimated S. glomerata and diploid C. gigas after 12 days. Following exposure to A. minutum, toxicity of triploid C. gigas was not affected by temperature. Generally, detoxification rates were reduced in warm-acclimated oysters. The routine metabolism of the oysters was not affected by the toxins, but a significant effect was found at a cellular level in diploid C. gigas. The increasing incidences of Alexandrium blooms worldwide are a challenge for shellfish food safety regulation. Our findings indicate that rising ocean temperatures may reduce paralytic shellfish toxin accumulation in two of the three oyster types; however, they may persist for longer periods in oyster tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel Farrell
- School Plant Functional Ecology and Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
- NSW Food Authority, 6 Avenue of the Americas, Newington, NSW, 2127, Australia
| | - Frank Seebacher
- Integrative Physiology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Heydon Laurence Building A08, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Wayne O'Connor
- Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315, Australia
| | - Anthony Zammit
- NSW Food Authority, 6 Avenue of the Americas, Newington, NSW, 2127, Australia
| | - D Tim Harwood
- Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
| | - Shauna Murray
- School Plant Functional Ecology and Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
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14
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Holbrook SJ, Schmitt RJ, Messmer V, Brooks AJ, Srinivasan M, Munday PL, Jones GP. Reef fishes in biodiversity hotspots are at greatest risk from loss of coral species. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124054. [PMID: 25970588 PMCID: PMC4430502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reef ecosystems are under a variety of threats from global change and anthropogenic disturbances that are reducing the number and type of coral species on reefs. Coral reefs support upwards of one third of all marine species of fish, so the loss of coral habitat may have substantial consequences to local fish diversity. We posit that the effects of habitat degradation will be most severe in coral regions with highest biodiversity of fishes due to greater specialization by fishes for particular coral habitats. Our novel approach to this important but untested hypothesis was to conduct the same field experiment at three geographic locations across the Indo-Pacific biodiversity gradient (Papua New Guinea; Great Barrier Reef, Australia; French Polynesia). Specifically, we experimentally explored whether the response of local fish communities to identical changes in diversity of habitat-providing corals was independent of the size of the regional species pool of fishes. We found that the proportional reduction (sensitivity) in fish biodiversity to loss of coral diversity was greater for regions with larger background species pools, reflecting variation in the degree of habitat specialization of fishes across the Indo-Pacific diversity gradient. This result implies that habitat-associated fish in diversity hotspots are at greater risk of local extinction to a given loss of habitat diversity compared to regions with lower species richness. This mechanism, related to the positive relationship between habitat specialization and regional biodiversity, and the elevated extinction risk this poses for biodiversity hotspots, may apply to species in other types of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally J. Holbrook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
- Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Russell J. Schmitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
- Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
| | - Vanessa Messmer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Brooks
- Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
| | - Maya Srinivasan
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Philip L. Munday
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Geoffrey P. Jones
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
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15
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Adam TC, Brooks AJ, Holbrook SJ, Schmitt RJ, Washburn L, Bernardi G. How will coral reef fish communities respond to climate-driven disturbances? Insight from landscape-scale perturbations. Oecologia 2014; 176:285-96. [PMID: 25070649 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3011-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Global climate change is rapidly altering disturbance regimes in many ecosystems including coral reefs, yet the long-term impacts of these changes on ecosystem structure and function are difficult to predict. A major ecosystem service provided by coral reefs is the provisioning of physical habitat for other organisms, and consequently, many of the effects of climate change on coral reefs will be mediated by their impacts on habitat structure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the independent and combined effects of coral mortality and loss of physical habitat on reef-associated biota. Here, we use a unique series of events affecting the coral reefs around the Pacific island of Moorea, French Polynesia to differentiate between the impacts of coral mortality and the degradation of physical habitat on the structure of reef fish communities. We found that, by removing large amounts of physical habitat, a tropical cyclone had larger impacts on reef fish communities than an outbreak of coral-eating sea stars that caused widespread coral mortality but left the physical structure intact. In addition, the impacts of declining structural complexity on reef fish assemblages accelerated as structure became increasingly rare. Structure provided by dead coral colonies can take up to decades to erode following coral mortality, and, consequently, our results suggest that predictions based on short-term studies are likely to grossly underestimate the long-term impacts of coral decline on reef fish communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Adam
- Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA,
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16
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Barneche DR, Kulbicki M, Floeter SR, Friedlander AM, Maina J, Allen AP. Scaling metabolism from individuals to reef-fish communities at broad spatial scales. Ecol Lett 2014; 17:1067-76. [PMID: 24943721 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Fishes contribute substantially to energy and nutrient fluxes in reef ecosystems, but quantifying these roles is challenging. Here, we do so by synthesising a large compilation of fish metabolic-rate data with a comprehensive database on reef-fish community abundance and biomass. Individual-level analyses support predictions of Metabolic Theory after accounting for significant family-level variation, and indicate that some tropical reef fishes may already be experiencing thermal regimes at or near their temperature optima. Community-level analyses indicate that total estimated respiratory fluxes of reef-fish communities increase on average ~2-fold from 22 to 28 °C. Comparisons of estimated fluxes among trophic groups highlight striking differences in resource use by communities in different regions, perhaps partly reflecting distinct evolutionary histories, and support the hypothesis that piscivores receive substantial energy subsidies from outside reefs. Our study demonstrates one approach to synthesising individual- and community-level data to establish broad-scale trends in contributions of biota to ecosystem dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Barneche
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, 2109, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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17
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Srinivasan H, Allory Y, Sill M, Vordos D, Alhamdani MSS, Radvanyi F, Hoheisel JD, Schröder C. Prediction of recurrence of non muscle-invasive bladder cancer by means of a protein signature identified by antibody microarray analyses. Proteomics 2014; 14:1333-42. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201300320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harish Srinivasan
- Division of Functional Genome Analysis; Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
| | - Yves Allory
- Département de Pathologie et Plateforme de Ressources Biologiques, AP-HP Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor; Créteil France
| | - Martin Sill
- Division of Biostatistics; Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
| | - Dimitri Vordos
- AP-HP Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor; Service d´Urologie; Créteil France
| | | | | | - Jörg D. Hoheisel
- Division of Functional Genome Analysis; Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
| | - Christoph Schröder
- Division of Functional Genome Analysis; Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
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18
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Harborne AR. The ecology, behaviour and physiology of fishes on coral reef flats, and the potential impacts of climate change. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2013; 83:417-447. [PMID: 23991866 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Reef flats, typically a low-relief carbonate and sand habitat in shallow water leeward of the reef crest, are one of the most extensive zones on Pacific coral reefs. This shallow zone often supports an abundant and diverse fish assemblage that is exposed to more significant variations in physical factors, such as water depth and movement, temperature and ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, than most other reef fishes. This review examines the characteristics of reef flat fish assemblages, and then investigates what is known about how they respond to their biophysical environment. Because of the challenges of living in shallow, wave-exposed water, reef flats typically support a distinct fish assemblage compared to other reef habitats. This assemblage clearly changes across tidal cycles as some larger species migrate to deeper water at low tide and other species modify their behaviour, but quantitative data are generally lacking. At least some reef flat fish species are well-adapted to high temperatures, low oxygen concentrations and high levels of UV radiation. These behavioural and physiological adaptations suggest that there may be differences in the demographic processes between reef flat assemblages and those in deeper water. Indeed, there is some evidence that reef flats may act as nurseries for some species, but more research is required. Further studies are also required to predict the effects of climate change, which is likely to have multifaceted impacts on reef flats by increasing temperature, water motion and sediment load. Sea-level rise may also affect reef flat fish assemblages and food webs by increasing the amount of time that larger species are able to forage in this zone. The lack of data on reef flats is surprising given their size and relative ease of access, and a better understanding of their functional role within tropical marine seascapes is urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Harborne
- Marine Spatial Ecology Laboratory and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Biological Sciences, Goddard Building, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
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19
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Feary DA, Burt JA, Bauman AG, Al Hazeem S, Abdel-Moati MA, Al-Khalifa KA, Anderson DM, Amos C, Baker A, Bartholomew A, Bento R, Cavalcante GH, Chen CA, Coles SL, Dab K, Fowler AM, George D, Grandcourt E, Hill R, John DM, Jones DA, Keshavmurthy S, Mahmoud H, Moradi Och Tapeh M, Mostafavi PG, Naser H, Pichon M, Purkis S, Riegl B, Samimi-Namin K, Sheppard C, Vajed Samiei J, Voolstra CR, Wiedenmann J. Critical research needs for identifying future changes in Gulf coral reef ecosystems. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 72:406-416. [PMID: 23643407 PMCID: PMC4118590 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Revised: 02/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Expert opinion was assessed to identify current knowledge gaps in determining future changes in Arabian/Persian Gulf (thereafter 'Gulf') coral reefs. Thirty-one participants submitted 71 research questions that were peer-assessed in terms of scientific importance (i.e., filled a knowledge gap and was a research priority) and efficiency in resource use (i.e., was highly feasible and ecologically broad). Ten research questions, in six major research areas, were highly important for both understanding Gulf coral reef ecosystems and also an efficient use of limited research resources. These questions mirrored global evaluations of the importance of understanding and evaluating biodiversity, determining the potential impacts of climate change, the role of anthropogenic impacts in structuring coral reef communities, and economically evaluating coral reef communities. These questions provide guidance for future research on coral reef ecosystems within the Gulf, and enhance the potential for assessment and management of future changes in this globally significant region.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Feary
- School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia.
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20
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Drescher M, Perera AH, Johnson CJ, Buse LJ, Drew CA, Burgman MA. Toward rigorous use of expert knowledge in ecological research. Ecosphere 2013. [DOI: 10.1890/es12-00415.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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21
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Underwood JN, Wilson SK, Ludgerus L, Evans RD. Integrating connectivity science and spatial conservation management of coral reefs in north-west Australia. J Nat Conserv 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Abstract
Irrefutable evidence of coral reef degradation worldwide and increasing pressure from rising seawater temperatures and ocean acidification associated with climate change have led to a focus on reef resilience and a call to “manage” coral reefs for resilience. Ideally, global action to reduce emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will be accompanied by local action. Effective management requires reduction of local stressors, identification of the characteristics of resilient reefs, and design of marine protected area networks that include potentially resilient reefs. Future research is needed on how stressors interact, on how climate change will affect corals, fish, and other reef organisms as well as overall biodiversity, and on basic ecological processes such as connectivity. Not all reef species and reefs will respond similarly to local and global stressors. Because reef-building corals and other organisms have some potential to adapt to environmental changes, coral reefs will likely persist in spite of the unprecedented combination of stressors currently affecting them. The biodiversity of coral reefs is the basis for their remarkable beauty and for the benefits they provide to society. The extraordinary complexity of these ecosystems makes it both more difficult to predict their future and more likely they will have a future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S. Rogers
- US Geological Survey, Southeast Ecological Science Center, Caribbean Field Station, St. John, VI 00830, USA
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Munday PL, McCormick MI, Nilsson GE. Impact of global warming and rising CO2 levels on coral reef fishes: what hope for the future? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 215:3865-73. [PMID: 23100485 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.074765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Average sea-surface temperature and the amount of CO(2) dissolved in the ocean are rising as a result of increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO(2). Many coral reef fishes appear to be living close to their thermal optimum, and for some of them, even relatively moderate increases in temperature (2-4°C) lead to significant reductions in aerobic scope. Reduced aerobic capacity could affect population sustainability because less energy can be devoted to feeding and reproduction. Coral reef fishes seem to have limited capacity to acclimate to elevated temperature as adults, but recent research shows that developmental and transgenerational plasticity occur, which might enable some species to adjust to rising ocean temperatures. Predicted increases in P(CO(2)), and associated ocean acidification, can also influence the aerobic scope of coral reef fishes, although there is considerable interspecific variation, with some species exhibiting a decline and others an increase in aerobic scope at near-future CO(2) levels. As with thermal effects, there are transgenerational changes in response to elevated CO(2) that could mitigate impacts of high CO(2) on the growth and survival of reef fishes. An unexpected discovery is that elevated CO(2) has a dramatic effect on a wide range of behaviours and sensory responses of reef fishes, with consequences for the timing of settlement, habitat selection, predator avoidance and individual fitness. The underlying physiological mechanism appears to be the interference of acid-base regulatory processes with brain neurotransmitter function. Differences in the sensitivity of species and populations to global warming and rising CO(2) have been identified that will lead to changes in fish community structure as the oceans warm and becomes more acidic; however, the prospect for acclimation and adaptation of populations to these threats also needs to be considered. Ultimately, it will be the capacity for species to adjust to environmental change over coming decades that will determine the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip L Munday
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. )
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Wilson SK, Graham NAJ, Fisher R, Robinson J, Nash K, Chong-Seng K, Polunin NVC, Aumeeruddy R, Quatre R. Effect of macroalgal expansion and marine protected areas on coral recovery following a climatic disturbance. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2012; 26:995-1004. [PMID: 22971046 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01926.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Disturbance plays an important role in structuring marine ecosystems, and there is a need to understand how conservation practices, such as the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), facilitate postdisturbance recovery. We evaluated the association of MPAs, herbivorous fish biomass, substrate type, postdisturbance coral cover, and change in macroalgal cover with coral recovery on the fringing reefs of the inner Seychelle islands, where coral mortality after a 1998 bleaching event was extensive. We visually estimated benthic cover and fish biomass at 9 sites in MPAs where fishing is banned and at 12 sites where fishing is permitted in 1994, 2005, 2008, and 2011. We used analysis of variance to examine spatial and temporal variations in coral cover and generalized additive models to identify relations between coral recovery and the aforementioned factors that may promote recovery. Coral recovery occurred on all substrate types, but it was highly variable among sites and times. Between 2005 and 2011 the increase in coral cover averaged 1%/year across 21 sites, and the maximum increase was 4%/year. However, mean coral cover across the study area (14%) remained at half of 1994 levels (28%). Sites within MPAs had faster rates of coral recovery than sites in fished areas only where cover of macroalgae was low and had not increased over time. In MPAs where macroalgae cover expanded since 1998 there was no recovery. Where coral was recovering on granite reefs there was a shift in relative prevalence of colony life-form from branching to encrusting species. This simplification of reef structure may affect associated reef fauna even if predisturbance levels of coral cover are attained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun K Wilson
- Marine Science Program, Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA, 6151, Australia.
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Wilson SK, Babcock RC, Fisher R, Holmes TH, Moore JAY, Thomson DP. Relative and combined effects of habitat and fishing on reef fish communities across a limited fishing gradient at Ningaloo. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2012; 81:1-11. [PMID: 22925735 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Revised: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Habitat degradation and fishing are major drivers of temporal and spatial changes in fish communities. The independent effects of these drivers are well documented, but the relative importance and interaction between fishing and habitat shifts is poorly understood, particularly in complex systems such as coral reefs. To assess the combined and relative effects of fishing and habitat we examined the composition of fish communities on patch reefs across a gradient of high to low structural complexity in fished and unfished areas of the Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. Biomass and species richness of fish were positively correlated with structural complexity of reefs and negatively related to macroalgal cover. Total abundance of fish was also positively related to structural complexity, however this relationship was stronger on fished reefs than those where fishing is prohibited. The interaction between habitat condition and fishing pressure is primarily due to the high abundance of small bodied planktivorous fish on fished reefs. However, the influence of management zones on the abundance and biomass of predators and target species is small, implying spatial differences in fishing pressure are low and unlikely to be driving this interaction. Our results emphasise the importance of habitat in structuring reef fish communities on coral reefs especially when gradients in fishing pressure are low. The influence of fishing effort on this relationship may however become more important as fishing pressure increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun K Wilson
- Marine Science Program, Department of Environment and Conservation, Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, Western Australia, Australia.
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Abstract
Tropical marine ecosystems are under mounting anthropogenic pressure from overfishing and habitat destruction, leading to declines in their structure and function on a global scale. Although maintaining connectivity among habitats within a seascape is necessary for preserving population resistance and resilience, quantifying movements of individuals within seascapes remains challenging. Traditional methods of identifying and valuing potential coral reef fish nursery habitats are indirect, often relying on visual surveys of abundance and correlations of size and biomass among habitats. We used compound-specific stable isotope analyses to determine movement patterns of commercially important fish populations within a coral reef seascape. This approach allowed us to quantify the relative contributions of individuals from inshore nurseries to reef populations and identify migration corridors among important habitats. Our results provided direct measurements of remarkable migrations by juvenile snapper of over 30 km, between nurseries and reefs. We also found significant plasticity in juvenile nursery residency. Although a majority of individuals on coastal reefs had used seagrass nurseries as juveniles, many adults on oceanic reefs had settled directly into reef habitats. Moreover, seascape configuration played a critical but heretofore unrecognized role in determining connectivity among habitats. Finally, our approach provides key quantitative data necessary to estimate the value of distinctive habitats to ecosystem services provided by seascapes.
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Walter RP, Hogan JD, Blum MJ, Gagne RB, Hain EF, Gilliam JF, McIntyre PB. Climate change and conservation of endemic amphidromous fishes in Hawaiian streams. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2012. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Climate Change and Human Health: A One Health Approach. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-45791-7_274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Clark TD, Jeffries KM, Hinch SG, Farrell AP. Exceptional aerobic scope and cardiovascular performance of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) may underlie resilience in a warming climate. J Exp Biol 2011; 214:3074-81. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.060517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Little is known of the physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of climate change on animals, yet it is clear that some species appear more resilient than others. As pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in British Columbia, Canada, have flourished in the current era of climate warming in contrast to other Pacific salmonids in the same watershed, this study investigated whether the continuing success of pink salmon may be linked with exceptional cardiorespiratory adaptations and thermal tolerance of adult fish during their spawning migration. Sex-specific differences existed in minimum and maximum oxygen consumption rates ( and , respectively) across the temperature range of 8 to 28°C, reflected in a higher aerobic scope () for males. Nevertheless, the aerobic scope of both sexes was optimal at 21°C (Topt) and was elevated across the entire temperature range in comparison with other Pacific salmonids. As Topt for aerobic scope of this pink salmon population is higher than in other Pacific salmonids, and historic river temperature data reveal that this population rarely encounters temperatures exceeding Topt, these findings offer a physiological explanation for the continuing success of this species throughout the current climate-warming period. Despite this, declining cardiac output was evident above 17°C, and maximum attainable swimming speed was impaired above ∼23°C, suggesting negative implications under prolonged thermal exposure. While forecasted summer river temperatures over the next century are likely to negatively impact all Pacific salmonids, we suggest that the cardiorespiratory capacity of pink salmon may confer a selective advantage over other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D. Clark
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Kenneth M. Jeffries
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Scott G. Hinch
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Anthony P. Farrell
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
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Herbivory, connectivity, and ecosystem resilience: response of a coral reef to a large-scale perturbation. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23717. [PMID: 21901131 PMCID: PMC3162008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs world-wide are threatened by escalating local and global impacts, and some impacted reefs have shifted from coral dominance to a state dominated by macroalgae. Therefore, there is a growing need to understand the processes that affect the capacity of these ecosystems to return to coral dominance following disturbances, including those that prevent the establishment of persistent stands of macroalgae. Unlike many reefs in the Caribbean, over the last several decades, reefs around the Indo-Pacific island of Moorea, French Polynesia have consistently returned to coral dominance following major perturbations without shifting to a macroalgae-dominated state. Here, we present evidence of a rapid increase in populations of herbivorous fishes following the most recent perturbation, and show that grazing by these herbivores has prevented the establishment of macroalgae following near complete loss of coral on offshore reefs. Importantly, we found the positive response of herbivorous fishes to increased benthic primary productivity associated with coral loss was driven largely by parrotfishes that initially recruit to stable nursery habitat within the lagoons before moving to offshore reefs later in life. These results underscore the importance of connectivity between the lagoon and offshore reefs for preventing the establishment of macroalgae following disturbances, and indicate that protecting nearshore nursery habitat of herbivorous fishes is critical for maintaining reef resilience.
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Changes in Biodiversity and Functioning of Reef Fish Assemblages following Coral Bleaching and Coral Loss. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2011. [DOI: 10.3390/d3030424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Smale DA, Wernberg T, Peck LS, Barnes DKA. Turning on the heat: ecological response to simulated warming in the sea. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16050. [PMID: 21264244 PMCID: PMC3021524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 12/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant warming has been observed in every ocean, yet our ability to predict the consequences of oceanic warming on marine biodiversity remains poor. Experiments have been severely limited because, until now, it has not been possible to manipulate seawater temperature in a consistent manner across a range of marine habitats. We constructed a "hot-plate" system to directly examine ecological responses to elevated seawater temperature in a subtidal marine system. The substratum available for colonisation and overlying seawater boundary layer were warmed for 36 days, which resulted in greater biomass of marine organisms and a doubling of space coverage by a dominant colonial ascidian. The "hot-plate" system will facilitate complex manipulations of temperature and multiple stressors in the field to provide valuable information on the response of individuals, populations and communities to environmental change in any aquatic habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan A Smale
- School of Plant Biology, Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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Wilson SK, Depczynski M, Fisher R, Holmes TH, O'Leary RA, Tinkler P. Habitat associations of juvenile fish at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia: the importance of coral and algae. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15185. [PMID: 21151875 PMCID: PMC2998428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat specificity plays a pivotal role in forming community patterns in coral reef fishes, yet considerable uncertainty remains as to the extent of this selectivity, particularly among newly settled recruits. Here we quantified habitat specificity of juvenile coral reef fish at three ecological levels; algal meadows vs. coral reefs, live vs. dead coral and among different coral morphologies. In total, 6979 individuals from 11 families and 56 species were censused along Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Juvenile fishes exhibited divergence in habitat use and specialization among species and at all study scales. Despite the close proximity of coral reef and algal meadows (10's of metres) 25 species were unique to coral reef habitats, and seven to algal meadows. Of the seven unique to algal meadows, several species are known to occupy coral reef habitat as adults, suggesting possible ontogenetic shifts in habitat use. Selectivity between live and dead coral was found to be species-specific. In particular, juvenile scarids were found predominantly on the skeletons of dead coral whereas many damsel and butterfly fishes were closely associated with live coral habitat. Among the coral dependent species, coral morphology played a key role in juvenile distribution. Corymbose corals supported a disproportionate number of coral species and individuals relative to their availability, whereas less complex shapes (i.e. massive & encrusting) were rarely used by juvenile fish. Habitat specialisation by juvenile species of ecological and fisheries importance, for a variety of habitat types, argues strongly for the careful conservation and management of multiple habitat types within marine parks, and indicates that the current emphasis on planning conservation using representative habitat areas is warranted. Furthermore, the close association of many juvenile fish with corals susceptible to climate change related disturbances suggests that identifying and protecting reefs resilient to this should be a conservation priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun K Wilson
- Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Marine Science Program, Kensington, Western Australia, Australia.
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Feary DA, Burt JA, Bauman AG, Usseglio P, Sale PF, Cavalcante GH. Fish communities on the world's warmest reefs: what can they tell us about the effects of climate change in the future? JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2010; 77:1931-1947. [PMID: 21078099 DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02777.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
To examine the role of climatic extremes in structuring reef fish communities in the Arabian region, reef fish communities were visually surveyed at four sites within the southern Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf and The Gulf), where sea-surface temperatures are extreme (range: 12-35° C annually), and these were compared with communities at four latitudinally similar sites in the biogeographically connected Gulf of Oman, where conditions are more moderate (range: 22-31° C annually). Although sites were relatively similar in the cover and composition of coral communities, substantial differences in the structure and composition of associated fish assemblages were apparent. Fish assemblages in the southern Persian Gulf held significantly lower estimates of abundance, richness and biomass, with significantly higher abundances of smaller sized individuals than Gulf of Oman assemblages. Functionally, southern Persian Gulf sites held significantly lower abundances of nearly all the common fish trophic guilds found on Gulf of Oman sites, although higher abundances of herbivorous grazers were apparent. These results suggest the potential for substantial changes in the structure of reef-associated fish communities, independent of changes in habitat within an environment of increasing fluctuations in oceanic climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Feary
- United Nations University, Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Hamilton, ON, L8P 0A1 Canada.
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