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Hynes MG, O'Dea A, Webster JM, Renema W. RADReef: A global Holocene Reef Rate of Accretion Dataset. Sci Data 2024; 11:398. [PMID: 38637551 PMCID: PMC11026384 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03228-w] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Reef cores are a powerful tool for investigating temporal changes in reef communities. Radiometric dating facilitates the determination of vertical accretion rates, which has allowed for examination of local-regional controlling factors, such as subsidence and sea level changes. Coral reefs must grow at sufficient rates to keep up with sea level rise, or risk 'drowning.' As sea level is expected to rise significantly in the next 100 years and beyond, it is important to understand whether reefs will be able to survive. Historical records of reef accretion rates extracted from cores provide valuable insights into extrinsic controlling factors of reef growth and are instrumental in helping predict if future reefs can accrete at rates needed to overcome predicted sea level changes. While extensive research exists at local and regional scales, limited attention has been given to identifying global patterns and drivers. To address this, we present "RADReef": A global dataset of dated Holocene reef cores. RADReef serves as a foundation for further research on past, present and future reef accretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Hynes
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), Universiteit van Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Aaron O'Dea
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Box 0843-03092, Balboa, Republic of Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Clayton, Republic of Panama
| | - Jody M Webster
- Geocoastal Research Group, School of Geosciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Willem Renema
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), Universiteit van Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Medellín-Maldonado F, Cruz-Ortega I, Pérez-Cervantes E, Norzogaray-López O, Carricart-Ganivet JP, López-Pérez A, Alvarez-Filip L. Newly deceased Caribbean reef-building corals experience rapid carbonate loss and colonization by endolithic organisms. Commun Biol 2023; 6:934. [PMID: 37699971 PMCID: PMC10497637 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05301-3] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral mortality triggers the loss of carbonates fixed within coral skeletons, compromising the reef matrix. Here, we estimate rates of carbonate loss in newly deceased colonies of four Caribbean reef-building corals. We use samples from living and recently deceased colonies following a stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) outbreak. Optical densitometry and porosity analyses reveal a loss of up to 40% of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in dead colonies. The metabolic activity of the endolithic organisms colonizing the dead skeletons is likely partially responsible for the observed dissolution. To test for the consequences of mass mortality events over larger spatial scales, we integrate our estimates of carbonate loss with field data of the composition and size structure of coral communities. The dissolution rate depends on the relative abundance of coral species and the structural properties of their skeletons, yet we estimate an average reduction of 1.33 kg CaCO3 m-2, nearly 7% of the total amount of CaCO3 sequestered in the entire system. Our findings highlight the importance of including biological and chemical processes of CaCO3 dissolution in reef carbonate budgets, particularly as the impacts of global warming, ocean acidification, and disease likely enhance dissolution processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Medellín-Maldonado
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico.
- Laboratorio de Arrecifes y Biodiversidad, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, 09340, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Israel Cruz-Ortega
- Laboratorio de Esclerocronología de Corales Arrecifales, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Orion Norzogaray-López
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas y Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, 22860, Ensenada, BC, Mexico
| | - Juan P Carricart-Ganivet
- Laboratorio de Esclerocronología de Corales Arrecifales, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Andrés López-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Arrecifes y Biodiversidad, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, 09340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales en Puerto Morelos, ICML, UNAM, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
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Brathwaite A, Clua E, Roach R, Pascal N. Coral reef restoration for coastal protection: Crafting technical and financial solutions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 310:114718. [PMID: 35192980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coastal erosion, aggravated by coral reef mortality is a major issue for Small Island Developing States. Traditionally gray infrastructure, financed by public budgets has been used to combat beach loss. We examined if three Nature-based Solutions (NbS): (i) coral restoration (green) (ii) restoration + limestone (hybrid) and (iii) restoration + 3D printed concrete (hybrid) could deliver positive outcomes for coastal protection and further incentivize cost sharing for reef conservation, with private beneficiaries. We modelled the impact of restoration on wave attenuation at two reefs off Barbados and simulated up-front and maintenance costs over a 25-year period. All solutions provide additionality when compared to gray infrastructure, especially in mitigating against Sea Level Rise. Restoration was the least costly with the highest risk of failure. The hybrid solutions, were less risky than the green as they provided immediate wave attenuation, alongside complementary services such as increased attractiveness due to the presence of reef fish. Their costs were however between +80% and +450% higher than gray solutions. While this might initially deter the use of NbS, blended finance and in some cases, Payments for Ecosystem Services, could provide options for governments and private beneficiaries to share costs, with ultimately greater benefits for themselves and coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique Brathwaite
- Blue Finance ECRE (Economics for Coral Reef Ecosystems), Foster Hall, Barbados; CRIOBE - USR 3278: PSL Université Paris: EPHE-CNRS-UPVD: Bâtiment R et T, Université de Perpignan, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan CEDEX, France.
| | - Eric Clua
- CRIOBE - USR 3278: PSL Université Paris: EPHE-CNRS-UPVD: Bâtiment R et T, Université de Perpignan, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan CEDEX, France; Centre de Recherche Insulaire et Observatoire de l'Environnement (CRIOBE), Moorea, French Polynesia.
| | - Ramon Roach
- Coastal Zone Management Unit, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Warrens Tower II, St. Michael, Barbados.
| | - Nicolas Pascal
- Blue Finance ECRE (Economics for Coral Reef Ecosystems), Foster Hall, Barbados; CRIOBE - USR 3278: PSL Université Paris: EPHE-CNRS-UPVD: Bâtiment R et T, Université de Perpignan, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan CEDEX, France.
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Considering socio-political framings when analyzing coastal climate change effects can prevent maldevelopment on small islands. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5882. [PMID: 34620859 PMCID: PMC8497557 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26082-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Adapting to climate change and sea level rise is challenging on small islands. False adaptation can lead to adverse impacts on natural and societal dynamics. Therefore, an interdisciplinary perspective on the interaction of natural dynamics, societal demands, and political decisions is crucial. In this sense, this study scrutinizes coastal processes and socio-political dimensions of erosion on the reef island Fuvahmulah, the Maldives. The national government and Fuvahmulah’s population have an opposed perception and attribution of the drivers and processes behind Fuvahmulah’s most pressing coastal issue – coastal erosion. To review these perceptions, natural dynamics are recreated with process-based methods and discussed regarding present and projected marine pressures. Population surveys and interviews with actors in coastal development complement the physical insights into erosion on Fuvahmulah and describe the socio-political dimension of climate change adaptation on small islands. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how small-islands’ adaptive capacities are typically impaired and disclose the potential of local knowledge to overcome maldevelopment. Climate change adaptation and sea level rise pose challenges for both natural and societal dynamics. Here the authors analyse coastal processes and socio-political dimensions of erosion, leading to maldevelopment on Fuvahmulah in the Maldives.
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Courtney TA, Barnes BB, Chollett I, Elahi R, Gross K, Guest JR, Kuffner IB, Lenz EA, Nelson HR, Rogers CS, Toth LT, Andersson AJ. Disturbances drive changes in coral community assemblages and coral calcification capacity. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Travis A. Courtney
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
| | - Brian B. Barnes
- College of Marine Science University of South Florida St. Petersburg Florida 33701 USA
| | | | - Robin Elahi
- Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove California 93950 USA
| | - Kevin Gross
- Department of Statistics North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USA
| | - James R. Guest
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE17RU UK
| | - Ilsa B. Kuffner
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center St. Petersburg Florida 33701 USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Lenz
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology University of Hawai'i Kāne'ohe Hawai'i 96744 USA
| | - Hannah R. Nelson
- Department of Biology California State University Northridge California 91330 USA
| | - Caroline S. Rogers
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center St John U.S. Virgin Islands USA
| | - Lauren T. Toth
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center St. Petersburg Florida 33701 USA
| | - Andreas J. Andersson
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
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van Woesik R, Cacciapaglia CW. Carbonate production of Micronesian reefs suppressed by thermal anomalies and Acanthaster as sea-level rises. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224887. [PMID: 31730649 PMCID: PMC6857905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are essential to millions of island inhabitants. Yet, coral reefs are threatened by thermal anomalies associated with climate change and by local disturbances that include land-use change, pollution, and the coral-eating sea star Acanthaster solaris. In combination, these disturbances cause coral mortality that reduce the capacity of reefs to produce enough carbonate to keep up with sea-level rise. This study compared the reef-building capacity of shallow-water inner, patch, and outer reefs in the two islands of Pohnpei and Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia. We identified which reefs were likely to keep up with sea-level rise under different climate-change scenarios, and estimated whether there were differences across habitats in the threshold of percentage coral cover at which net carbonate production becomes negative. We also quantified the influence of A. solaris on carbonate production. Whereas the northwestern outer reefs of Pohnpei and Kosrae had the highest net rates of carbonate production (18.5 and 16.4 kg CaCO3 m-2 yr-1, respectively), the southeastern outer reefs had the lowest rates of carbonate production (1.2–1.3 and 0.7 kg CaCO3 m-2 yr-1, respectively). The patch reefs of Pohnpei had on average higher net carbonate production rates (9.5 kg CaCO3 m-2 yr-1) than the inner reefs of both Pohnpei and Kosrae (7.0 and 7.8 kg CaCO3 m-2 yr-1, respectively). A. solaris were common on Kosrae and caused an average reduction in carbonate production of 0.6 kg CaCO3 m-2 yr-1 on Kosraean reefs. Northern outer reefs are the most likely habitats to keep up with sea-level rise in both Pohnpei and Kosrae. Overall, the inner reefs of Pohnpei and Kosrae need ~ 5.5% more coral cover to generate the same amount of carbonate as outer reefs. Therefore, inner reefs need special protection from land-use change and local pollution to keep pace with sea-level rise under all climate-change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert van Woesik
- Institute for Global Ecology, Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher William Cacciapaglia
- Institute for Global Ecology, Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, United States of America
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