1
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Helgoe J, Davy SK, Weis VM, Rodriguez-Lanetty M. Triggers, cascades, and endpoints: connecting the dots of coral bleaching mechanisms. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:715-752. [PMID: 38217089 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13042] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The intracellular coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis is the engine that underpins the success of coral reefs, one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. However, the breakdown of the symbiosis and the loss of the microalgal symbiont (i.e. coral bleaching) due to environmental changes are resulting in the rapid degradation of coral reefs globally. There is an urgent need to understand the cellular physiology of coral bleaching at the mechanistic level to help develop solutions to mitigate the coral reef crisis. Here, at an unprecedented scope, we present novel models that integrate putative mechanisms of coral bleaching within a common framework according to the triggers (initiators of bleaching, e.g. heat, cold, light stress, hypoxia, hyposalinity), cascades (cellular pathways, e.g. photoinhibition, unfolded protein response, nitric oxide), and endpoints (mechanisms of symbiont loss, e.g. apoptosis, necrosis, exocytosis/vomocytosis). The models are supported by direct evidence from cnidarian systems, and indirectly through comparative evolutionary analyses from non-cnidarian systems. With this approach, new putative mechanisms have been established within and between cascades initiated by different bleaching triggers. In particular, the models provide new insights into the poorly understood connections between bleaching cascades and endpoints and highlight the role of a new mechanism of symbiont loss, i.e. 'symbiolysosomal digestion', which is different from symbiophagy. This review also increases the approachability of bleaching physiology for specialists and non-specialists by mapping the vast landscape of bleaching mechanisms in an atlas of comprehensible and detailed mechanistic models. We then discuss major knowledge gaps and how future research may improve the understanding of the connections between the diverse cascade of cellular pathways and the mechanisms of symbiont loss (endpoints).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Helgoe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 167, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Simon K Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Virginia M Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 2701 SW Campus Way, 2403 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 167, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, USA
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2
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Hu N, Bourdeau PE, Hollander J. Responses of marine trophic levels to the combined effects of ocean acidification and warming. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3400. [PMID: 38649374 PMCID: PMC11035698 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47563-3] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine organisms are simultaneously exposed to anthropogenic stressors associated with ocean acidification and ocean warming, with expected interactive effects. Species from different trophic levels with dissimilar characteristics and evolutionary histories are likely to respond differently. Here, we perform a meta-analysis of controlled experiments including both ocean acidification and ocean warming factors to investigate single and interactive effects of these stressors on marine species. Contrary to expectations, we find that synergistic interactions are less common (16%) than additive (40%) and antagonistic (44%) interactions overall and their proportion decreases with increasing trophic level. Predators are the most tolerant trophic level to both individual and combined effects. For interactive effects, calcifying and non-calcifying species show similar patterns. We also identify climate region-specific patterns, with interactive effects ranging from synergistic in temperate regions to compensatory in subtropical regions, to positive in tropical regions. Our findings improve understanding of how ocean warming, and acidification affect marine trophic levels and highlight the need for deeper consideration of multiple stressors in conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Hu
- Department of Biology- Aquatic Ecology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Paul E Bourdeau
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, Arcata, CA, USA
| | - Johan Hollander
- World Maritime University, Ocean Sustainability, Governance & Management Unit, 211 18, Malmö, Sweden.
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3
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Dilworth J, Million WC, Ruggeri M, Hall ER, Dungan AM, Muller EM, Kenkel CD. Synergistic response to climate stressors in coral is associated with genotypic variation in baseline expression. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232447. [PMID: 38531406 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
As environments are rapidly reshaped due to climate change, phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in the ability of organisms to persist and is considered an especially important acclimatization mechanism for long-lived sessile organisms such as reef-building corals. Often, this ability of a single genotype to display multiple phenotypes depending on the environment is modulated by changes in gene expression, which can vary in response to environmental changes via two mechanisms: baseline expression and expression plasticity. We used transcriptome-wide expression profiling of eleven genotypes of common-gardened Acropora cervicornis to explore genotypic variation in the expression response to thermal and acidification stress, both individually and in combination. We show that the combination of these two stressors elicits a synergistic gene expression response, and that both baseline expression and expression plasticity in response to stress show genotypic variation. Additionally, we demonstrate that frontloading of a large module of coexpressed genes is associated with greater retention of algal symbionts under combined stress. These results illustrate that variation in the gene expression response of individuals to climate change stressors can persist even when individuals have shared environmental histories, affecting their performance under future climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Ruggeri
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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4
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Isa V, Seveso D, Diamante L, Montalbetti E, Montano S, Gobbato J, Lavorano S, Galli P, Louis YD. Physical and cellular impact of environmentally relevant microplastic exposure on thermally challenged Pocillopora damicornis (Cnidaria, Scleractinia). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170651. [PMID: 38320710 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is an increasing threat to coral reefs, which are already strongly challenged by climate change-related heat stress. Although it is known that scleractinian corals can ingest microplastic, little is known about their egestion and how microplastic exposure may impair corals at physiological and cellular levels. In addition, the effects of microplastic pollution at current environmental concentration have been little investigated to date, particularly in corals already impacted by heat stress. In this study, the combined effects of these environmental threats on Pocillopora damicornis were investigated from a physical and cellular perspective. Colonies were exposed to three concentrations of polyethylene microplastic beads (no microplastic beads: [No MP], 1 mg/L: [Low MP]; 10 mg/L: [High MP]), and two different temperatures (25 °C and 30 °C) for 72 h. No visual signs of stress in corals, such as abnormal mucus production and polyp extroflection, were recorded. At [Low MP], beads adhered to colonies were ingested but were also egested. Moreover, thermally stressed colonies showed a lower adhesion and higher egestion of microplastic beads. Coral bleaching was observed with an increase in temperature and microplastic bead concentration, as indicated by a general decrease in chlorophyll concentration and Symbiodiniaceae density. An increase in lipid peroxidation was measured in colonies exposed to [Low MP] and [High MP] and an up-regulation of stress response gene hsp70 was observed due to the synergistic interaction of both stressors. Overall, our findings showed that heat stress still represents the main threat to P. damicornis, while the effect of microplastics on coral health and physiology may be minor, especially at control temperature. However, microplastics could exacerbate the effect of thermal stress on cellular homeostasis, even at [Low MP]. While reducing ocean warming is critical for preserving coral reefs, effective management of emerging threats like microplastic pollution is equally essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Isa
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives; Costa Edutainment SpA - Acquario di Genova, Area Porto Antico, Ponte Spinola, 16128 Genoa, Italy
| | - Davide Seveso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives
| | - Luca Diamante
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Enrico Montalbetti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives.
| | - Simone Montano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives
| | - Jacopo Gobbato
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives
| | - Silvia Lavorano
- Costa Edutainment SpA - Acquario di Genova, Area Porto Antico, Ponte Spinola, 16128 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Galli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives; University of Dubai, Dubai, P.O. Box 14143, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yohan Didier Louis
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives
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5
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Mentzel S, Nathan R, Noyes P, Brix KV, Moe SJ, Rohr JR, Verheyen J, Van den Brink PJ, Stauber J. Evaluating the effects of climate change and chemical, physical, and biological stressors on nearshore coral reefs: A case study in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 20:401-418. [PMID: 38018499 PMCID: PMC11046313 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of the combined effects of climate change (CC) and other anthropogenic stressors, such as chemical exposures, is essential for improving ecological risk assessments of vulnerable ecosystems. In the Great Barrier Reef, coral reefs are under increasingly severe duress from increasing ocean temperatures, acidification, and cyclone intensities associated with CC. In addition to these stressors, inshore reef systems, such as the Mackay-Whitsunday coastal zone, are being impacted by other anthropogenic stressors, including chemical, nutrient, and sediment exposures related to more intense rainfall events that increase the catchment runoff of contaminated waters. To illustrate an approach for incorporating CC into ecological risk assessment frameworks, we developed an adverse outcome pathway network to conceptually delineate the effects of climate variables and photosystem II herbicide (diuron) exposures on scleractinian corals. This informed the development of a Bayesian network (BN) to quantitatively compare the effects of historical (1975-2005) and future projected climate on inshore hard coral bleaching, mortality, and cover. This BN demonstrated how risk may be predicted for multiple physical and biological stressors, including temperature, ocean acidification, cyclones, sediments, macroalgae competition, and crown of thorns starfish predation, as well as chemical stressors such as nitrogen and herbicides. Climate scenarios included an ensemble of 16 downscaled models encompassing current and future conditions based on multiple emission scenarios for two 30-year periods. It was found that both climate-related and catchment-related stressors pose a risk to these inshore reef systems, with projected increases in coral bleaching and coral mortality under all future climate scenarios. This modeling exercise can support the identification of risk drivers for the prioritization of management interventions to build future resilient reefs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:401-418. © 2023 Norwegian Institute for Water Research and The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mentzel
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway
| | - Rory Nathan
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pamela Noyes
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Integrated Climate Sciences Division, Office of Research and Development, USEPA, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kevin V Brix
- EcoTox, Miami, Florida, USA
- RSMAES, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - S Jannicke Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway
| | - Jason R Rohr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Julie Verheyen
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul J Van den Brink
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Stauber
- CSIRO Environment, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- La Trobe University, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia
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6
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Downie AT, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. The interactive impacts of a constant reef stressor, ultraviolet radiation, with environmental stressors on coral physiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168066. [PMID: 37890630 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Reef-building corals create one of the most biodiverse and economically important ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, global coral reef ecosystems experience threats from numerous natural stressors, which are amplified by human activities. One such threat is ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun; a genotoxic stressor that is a double-edged sword for corals as they rely on sunlight for energy. More intense UVR has been shown to have greater direct impacts on animal physiology, and these may be exacerbated by co-occurring stressors. The aim of this systematic literature review was to examine if the same applies to corals; that is, if the co-exposure of a constant stressor (UVR) with other stressors has a greater impact on coral physiology than if these stressors occurred separately. We reviewed the biochemical and cellular processes impacted by UVR and the defenses corals have against UVR. The main stressors investigated with UVR were temperature, nitrate, nutrient, oil, water motion, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). UVR generally worsened the physiological impacts of other stressors (e.g., by decreasing zooxanthellae and chlorophyll densities). There were species-specific differences in their tolerance to UVR (differences in zooxanthellae populations, sunscreen production and depth) and environmental stress (e.g., resilience to some oils), and that ambient levels of UVR were often beneficial (i.e., nullifying impacts of nitrates). We highlight areas of future investigation including examining and assessing other interacting stressors and their impacts (e.g., ocean acidification, ocean deoxygenation, toxins and pollutants), investigating impacts of multiple stressors with UVR on the coral microbiome, and elucidating the effects of multi-stressors with UVR across early-life history stages (especially larvae). UVR is a pervasive stressor to corals and can interact with other environmental conditions to compromise the resilience of corals. This environmental driver needs to be more comprehensively examined alongside climate change stressors (e.g., temperature increases, ocean acidification and hypoxia) to better understand future climate scenarios on reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Downie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Rebecca L Cramp
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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7
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Stephenson F, Rowden AA, Anderson OF, Ellis JI, Geange SW, Brough T, Behrens E, Hewitt JE, Clark MR, Tracey DM, Goode SL, Petersen GL, Lundquist CJ. Implications for the conservation of deep-water corals in the face of multiple stressors: A case study from the New Zealand region. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 346:118938. [PMID: 37738731 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The waters around New Zealand are a global hotspot of biodiversity for deep-water corals; approximately one sixth of the known deep-water coral species of the world have been recorded in the region. Deep-water corals are vulnerable to climate-related stressors and from the damaging effects of commercial fisheries. Current protection measures do not account for the vulnerability of deep-water corals to future climatic conditions, which are predicted to alter the distribution of suitable habitat for them. Using recently developed habitat suitability models for 12 taxa of deep-water corals fitted to current and future seafloor environmental conditions (under different future climatic conditions: SSP2 - 4.5 and SSP3 - 7.0) we explore possible levels of spatial protection using the decision-support tool Zonation. Specifically, we assess the impact of bottom trawling on predictions of current distributions of deep-water corals, and then assess the effectiveness of possible protection for deep-water corals, while accounting for habitat refugia under future climatic conditions. The cumulative impact of bottom trawling was predicted to impact all taxa, but particularly the reef-forming corals. Core areas of suitable habitat were predicted to decrease under future climatic conditions for many taxa. We found that designing protection using current day predictions alone, having accounted for the impacts of historic fishing impacts, was unlikely to provide adequate conservation for deep water-corals under future climate change. Accounting for future distributions in spatial planning identified areas which may provide climate refugia whilst still providing efficient protection for current distributions. These gains in conservation value may be particularly important given the predicted reduction in suitable habitat for deep-water corals due to bottom fishing and climate change. Finally, the possible impact that protection measures may have on deep-water fisheries was assessed using a measure of current fishing value (kg km-2 fish) and future fishing value (predicted under future climate change scenarios).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley A Rowden
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand; Victoria University Wellington, School of Biological Sciences, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Owen F Anderson
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Joanne I Ellis
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Tauranga, New Zealand
| | - Shane W Geange
- New Zealand Department of Conservation, PO Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Tom Brough
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Erik Behrens
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Judi E Hewitt
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Malcolm R Clark
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Dianne M Tracey
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Savannah L Goode
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand; Victoria University Wellington, School of Biological Sciences, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Grady L Petersen
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Carolyn J Lundquist
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand; School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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8
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Keller AA. Nanomaterials in sunscreens: Potential human and ecological health implications. Int J Cosmet Sci 2023; 45 Suppl 1:127-140. [PMID: 37799081 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic nanomaterials such as TiO2 and ZnO provide significant benefits in terms of UV protection, and their use generally has increased in commercial sunscreens. However, more recently there have been concerns about their potential human and ecological health implications, mostly driven by perception rather than by formal assessments. The large and increasing body of literature on these nanomaterials indicates that in most circumstances their risk are minimal. Penetration of the human epidermis is minimal for these nanomaterials, significantly reducing the potential effects that these nanomaterials may pose to internal organs. The excess Zn ion dose is very small compared to normal dietary consumption of Zn, which is a necessary element. The levels of residual nanomaterials or released ions in public swimming pools is also low, with minimal effect in case this water is ingested during swimming or bathing. In natural environments with significant water flow due to wind and water currents, the concentrations of nanomaterials and released ions are generally well below levels that would cause effects in aquatic organisms. However, sensitive habitats with slow currents, such as coral reefs, may accumulate these nanomaterials. The number of studies of the levels and effects of nanomaterials in these sensitive habitats is very small; more research is needed to determine if there is an elevated risk to these ecosystems from the use of sunscreens with these nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo A Keller
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
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9
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Korabik AR, Winquist T, Grosholz ED, Hollarsmith JA. Examining the reproductive success of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana, Phaeophyceae, Laminariales) in climate change conditions. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2023; 59:989-1004. [PMID: 37540062 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is affecting marine ecosystems in many ways, including raising temperatures and leading to ocean acidification. From 2014 to 2016, an extensive marine heat wave extended along the west coast of North America and had devastating effects on numerous species, including bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana). Bull kelp is an important foundation species in coastal ecosystems and can be affected by marine heat waves and ocean acidification; however, the impacts have not been investigated on sensitive early life stages. To determine the effects of changing temperatures and carbonate levels on Northern California's bull kelp populations, we collected sporophylls from mature bull kelp individuals in Point Arena, CA. At the Bodega Marine Laboratory, we released spores from field-collected bull kelp, and cultured microscopic gametophytes in a common garden experiment with a fully factorial design crossing modern conditions (11.63 ± 0.54°C and pH 7.93 ± 0.26) with observed extreme climate conditions (15.56 ± 0.83°C and 7.64 ± 0.32 pH). Our results indicated that both increased temperature and decreased pH influenced growth and egg production of bull kelp microscopic stages. Increased temperature resulted in decreased gametophyte survival and offspring production. In contrast, decreased pH had less of an effect but resulted in increased gametophyte survival and offspring production. Additionally, increased temperature significantly impacted reproductive timing by causing female gametophytes to produce offspring earlier than under ambient temperature conditions. Our findings can inform better predictions of the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems and provide key insights into environmental dynamics regulating the bull kelp lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Korabik
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Tallulah Winquist
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Edwin D Grosholz
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
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10
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Díaz-López AM, Hernández-Arana HA, Vega-Zepeda A, Ruiz-Zárate MÁ, Victoria-Salazar I. Changes in the community structure of stony corals in the southern Mexican Caribbean. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 191:106154. [PMID: 37678100 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The Mexican Caribbean coral reef ecosystem has endured the effects of global and regional stressors and, recently, the massive arrivals of the free-living, floating brown algae Sargassum spp. This study aimed to evaluate spatiotemporal changes in the stony coral community structure in the southern Mexican Caribbean by a temporal comparison of live coral cover and colony density using a data set collected in 2008-2009 and a recent survey in 2021 within a Protected Natural Area. A multivariate analysis approach was used to reveal spatiotemporal changes in coral cover and colony densities. Coral cover ranged from 6.9 to 8.9% in 2008-2009 to 6.5% in 2021, the lowest values recorded for the area. Coral colony density ranged from 0.68 to 0.78 colonies m-1 in 2008-2009 to 0.68 colonies m-1 in 2021. The present results appear to represent subtle changes during the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Mauri Díaz-López
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Héctor Abuid Hernández-Arana
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
| | - Alejandro Vega-Zepeda
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ángel Ruiz-Zárate
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Isael Victoria-Salazar
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal. Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática. Av. Centenario km 5.5, CP. 77014. Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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11
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Schäfer RB, Jackson M, Juvigny-Khenafou N, Osakpolor SE, Posthuma L, Schneeweiss A, Spaak J, Vinebrooke R. Chemical Mixtures and Multiple Stressors: Same but Different? ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:1915-1936. [PMID: 37036219 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems are strongly influenced by multiple anthropogenic stressors, including a wide range of chemicals and their mixtures. Studies on the effects of multiple stressors have largely focussed on nonchemical stressors, whereas studies on chemical mixtures have largely ignored other stressors. However, both research areas face similar challenges and require similar tools and methods to predict the joint effects of chemicals or nonchemical stressors, and frameworks to integrate multiple chemical and nonchemical stressors are missing. We provide an overview of the research paradigms, tools, and methods commonly used in multiple stressor and chemical mixture research and discuss potential domains of cross-fertilization and joint challenges. First, we compare the general paradigms of ecotoxicology and (applied) ecology to explain the historical divide. Subsequently, we compare methods and approaches for the identification of interactions, stressor characterization, and designing experiments. We suggest that both multiple stressor and chemical mixture research are too focused on interactions and would benefit from integration regarding null model selection. Stressor characterization is typically more costly for chemical mixtures. While for chemical mixtures comprehensive classification systems at suborganismal level have been developed, recent classification systems for multiple stressors account for environmental context. Both research areas suffer from rather simplified experimental designs that focus on only a limited number of stressors, chemicals, and treatments. We discuss concepts that can guide more realistic designs capturing spatiotemporal stressor dynamics. We suggest that process-based and data-driven models are particularly promising to tackle the challenge of prediction of effects of chemical mixtures and nonchemical stressors on (meta-)communities and (meta-)food webs. We propose a framework to integrate the assessment of effects for multiple stressors and chemical mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1915-1936. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | | | - Noel Juvigny-Khenafou
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Stephen E Osakpolor
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Leo Posthuma
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Schneeweiss
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Jürg Spaak
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Rolf Vinebrooke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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12
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Chan YKS, Affendi YA, Ang PO, Baria-Rodriguez MV, Chen CA, Chui APY, Giyanto, Glue M, Huang H, Kuo CY, Kim SW, Lam VYY, Lane DJW, Lian JS, Lin SMNN, Lunn Z, Nañola CL, Nguyen VL, Park HS, Suharsono, Sutthacheep M, Vo ST, Vibol O, Waheed Z, Yamano H, Yeemin T, Yong E, Kimura T, Tun K, Chou LM, Huang D. Decadal stability in coral cover could mask hidden changes on reefs in the East Asian Seas. Commun Biol 2023; 6:630. [PMID: 37301948 PMCID: PMC10257672 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05000-z] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs in the Central Indo-Pacific region comprise some of the most diverse and yet threatened marine habitats. While reef monitoring has grown throughout the region in recent years, studies of coral reef benthic cover remain limited in spatial and temporal scales. Here, we analysed 24,365 reef surveys performed over 37 years at 1972 sites throughout East Asia by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network using Bayesian approaches. Our results show that overall coral cover at surveyed reefs has not declined as suggested in previous studies and compared to reef regions like the Caribbean. Concurrently, macroalgal cover has not increased, with no indications of phase shifts from coral to macroalgal dominance on reefs. Yet, models incorporating socio-economic and environmental variables reveal negative associations of coral cover with coastal urbanisation and sea surface temperature. The diversity of reef assemblages may have mitigated cover declines thus far, but climate change could threaten reef resilience. We recommend prioritisation of regionally coordinated, locally collaborative long-term studies for better contextualisation of monitoring data and analyses, which are essential for achieving reef conservation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y K S Chan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Y A Affendi
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - P O Ang
- Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - M V Baria-Rodriguez
- Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon, Philippines
| | - C A Chen
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - A P Y Chui
- Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Giyanto
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - M Glue
- Fauna & Flora International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - H Huang
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - C-Y Kuo
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S W Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - V Y Y Lam
- Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Washington D.C., USA
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - D J W Lane
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
| | - J S Lian
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - S M N N Lin
- Fauna & Flora International, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Z Lunn
- Fauna & Flora International, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - C L Nañola
- University of the Philippines Mindanao, Davao, Philippines
| | - V L Nguyen
- Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang, Vietnam
| | - H S Park
- Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suharsono
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - M Sutthacheep
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - S T Vo
- Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang, Vietnam
| | - O Vibol
- Department of Fisheries Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Z Waheed
- Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - H Yamano
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukaba, Japan
| | - T Yeemin
- Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - E Yong
- Reef Check Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
| | - T Kimura
- Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network East Asia Region, Tokyo, Japan
- Palau International Coral Reef Center, Koror, Palau
| | - K Tun
- Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network East Asia Region, Tokyo, Japan
- National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board, Singapore, Singapore
| | - L M Chou
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - D Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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13
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González-Barrios FJ, Estrada-Saldívar N, Pérez-Cervantes E, Secaira-Fajardo F, Álvarez-Filip L. Legacy effects of anthropogenic disturbances modulate dynamics in the world's coral reefs. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:3285-3303. [PMID: 36932916 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Rapidly changing conditions alter disturbance patterns, highlighting the need to better understand how the transition from pulse disturbances to more persistent stress will impact ecosystem dynamics. We conducted a global analysis of the impacts of 11 types of disturbances on reef integrity using the rate of change of coral cover as a measure of damage. Then, we evaluated how the magnitude of the damage due to thermal stress, cyclones, and diseases varied among tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific reefs and whether the cumulative impact of thermal stress and cyclones was able to modulate the responses of reefs to future events. We found that reef damage largely depends on the condition of a reef before a disturbance, disturbance intensity, and biogeographic region, regardless of the type of disturbance. Changes in coral cover after thermal stress events were largely influenced by the cumulative stress of past disturbances and did not depend on disturbance intensity or initial coral cover, which suggests that an ecological memory is present within coral communities. In contrast, the effect of cyclones (and likely other physical impacts) was primarily modulated by the initial reef condition and did not appear to be influenced by previous impacts. Our findings also underscore that coral reefs can recover if stressful conditions decrease, yet the lack of action to reduce anthropogenic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions continues to trigger reef degradation. We uphold that evidence-based strategies can guide managers to make better decisions to prepare for future disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Javier González-Barrios
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Nuria Estrada-Saldívar
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | | | - Lorenzo Álvarez-Filip
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
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14
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Fong CR, Smith TB, Muthukrishnan R, Fong P. A persistent green macroalgal mat shifts ecological functioning and composition of associated species on an Eastern Tropical Pacific coral reef. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 188:105952. [PMID: 37068436 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Global evidence of phase shifts to alternate community types is of particular concern because these new communities can provide fundamentally different and often novel ecosystem functions and services compared to the original community. Shifts of a diverse range of marine communities to dominance by green macroalgal mats have occurred worldwide, making it critical to understand their emerging functions and roles. We observed a green algal mat on two reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, with one persisting for >10 years on a reef with stable herbivore populations and no known sources of anthropogenic nutrients. These mats supported a more speciose macroalgal community with fewer taxa present in the adjacent coral community and facilitated growth of an associated understory macroalgal species by reducing herbivory pressure and possibly enhancing nutrient supplies within the mat community state. These results demonstrate a weakening in the processes controlling reef community structure as a result of the shift in composition associated with the macroalgal mat, creating a positive feedback supporting mat persistence. These novel ecosystem functions generated by this alternate community state illustrate the importance of further research on community shifts, which will become increasingly common in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R Fong
- National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, USA.
| | - Tyler B Smith
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, USA
| | | | - Peggy Fong
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, USA
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15
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Maucieri DG, Starko S, Baum JK. Tipping points and interactive effects of chronic human disturbance and acute heat stress on coral diversity. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230209. [PMID: 37040801 PMCID: PMC10089722 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple anthropogenic stressors co-occur ubiquitously in natural ecosystems. However, multiple stressor studies often produce conflicting results, potentially because the nature and direction of stressor interactions depends upon the strength of the underlying stressors. Here, we first examine how coral α- and β-diversities vary across sites spanning a gradient of chronic local anthropogenic stress before and after a prolonged marine heatwave. Developing a multiple stressor framework that encompasses non-discrete stressors, we then examine interactions between the continuous and discrete stressors. We provide evidence of additive effects, antagonistic interactions (with heatwave-driven turnover in coral community composition diminishing as the continuous stressor increased), and tipping points (at which the response of coral Hill-richness to stressors changed from additive to near synergistic). We show that community-level responses to multiple stressors can vary, and even change qualitatively, with stressor intensity, underscoring the importance of examining complex, but realistic continuous stressors to understand stressor interactions and their ecological impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique G. Maucieri
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8P 5C2
| | - Samuel Starko
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8P 5C2
- UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Julia K. Baum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8P 5C2
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
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16
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Cerini F, Childs DZ, Clements CF. A predictive timeline of wildlife population collapse. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:320-331. [PMID: 36702859 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-01985-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary rates of biodiversity decline emphasize the need for reliable ecological forecasting, but current methods vary in their ability to predict the declines of real-world populations. Acknowledging that stressor effects start at the individual level, and that it is the sum of these individual-level effects that drives populations to collapse, shifts the focus of predictive ecology away from using predominantly abundance data. Doing so opens new opportunities to develop predictive frameworks that utilize increasingly available multi-dimensional data, which have previously been overlooked for ecological forecasting. Here, we propose that stressed populations will exhibit a predictable sequence of observable changes through time: changes in individuals' behaviour will occur as the first sign of increasing stress, followed by changes in fitness-related morphological traits, shifts in the dynamics (for example, birth rates) of populations and finally abundance declines. We discuss how monitoring the sequential appearance of these signals may allow us to discern whether a population is increasingly at risk of collapse, or is adapting in the face of environmental change, providing a conceptual framework to develop new forecasting methods that combine multi-dimensional (for example, behaviour, morphology, life history and abundance) data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cerini
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Dylan Z Childs
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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17
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Aguiar DK, Wiegner TN, Colbert SL, Burns J, Abaya L, Beets J, Couch C, Stewart J, Panelo J, Remple K, Nelson C. Detection and impact of sewage pollution on South Kohala's coral reefs, Hawai'i. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114662. [PMID: 36739712 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sewage pollution from on-site sewage disposal systems and injection wells is impacting coral reefs worldwide. Our study documented the presence and impact of sewage on South Kohala's coral reefs, on Hawai'i Island, through benthic water quality and macroalgal sampling (fecal indicator bacteria, nutrients, δ15N macroalgal tissue), NO3- stable isotope mixing models, water motion measurements, and coral reef surveys. Sewage pollution was moderate on the offshore reef from benthic seeps, and water motion mixed and diluted it across the benthos. These conditions likely contribute to the dominance of turf algae cover, and the severity and prevalence of growth anomalies and algal overgrowth on corals. Use of multiple indicators and studying water motion was necessary to assess sewage pollution and identify environmental drivers associated with impaired coral health conditions. Methods used in this study can be utilized by natural resource managers to identify and reduce anthropogenic stressors to coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon K Aguiar
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Tracy N Wiegner
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Steven L Colbert
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - John Burns
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Leilani Abaya
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - James Beets
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Courtney Couch
- NOAA/Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division, NOAA Inouye Regional Center, 1845 Wasp Blvd, Bldg. # 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA.
| | - Julia Stewart
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Jazmine Panelo
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Kristina Remple
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1950 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Craig Nelson
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1950 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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18
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Mezger SD, Klinke A, Tilstra A, El-Khaled YC, Thobor B, Wild C. The widely distributed soft coral Xenia umbellata exhibits high resistance against phosphate enrichment and temperature increase. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22135. [PMID: 36550166 PMCID: PMC9780247 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26325-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Both global and local factors affect coral reefs worldwide, sometimes simultaneously. An interplay of these factors can lead to phase shifts from hard coral dominance to algae or other invertebrates, particularly soft corals. However, most studies have targeted the effects of single factors, leaving pronounced knowledge gaps regarding the effects of combined factors on soft corals. Here, we investigated the single and combined effects of phosphate enrichment (1, 2, and 8 μM) and seawater temperature increase (26 to 32 °C) on the soft coral Xenia umbellata by quantifying oxygen fluxes, protein content, and stable isotope signatures in a 5-week laboratory experiment. Findings revealed no significant effects of temperature increase, phosphate enrichment, and the combination of both factors on oxygen fluxes. However, regardless of the phosphate treatment, total protein content and carbon stable isotope ratios decreased significantly by 62% and 7% under temperature increase, respectively, suggesting an increased assimilation of their energy reserves. Therefore, we hypothesize that heterotrophic feeding may be important for X. umbellata to sustain their energy reserves under temperature increase, highlighting the advantages of a mixotrophic strategy. Overall, X. umbellata shows a high tolerance towards changes in global and local factors, which may explain their competitive advantage observed at many Indo-Pacific reef locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma D. Mezger
- grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Annabell Klinke
- grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany ,grid.461729.f0000 0001 0215 3324Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Arjen Tilstra
- grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Yusuf C. El-Khaled
- grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Bianca Thobor
- grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Christian Wild
- grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381Department of Marine Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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19
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Hulver AM, Steckbauer A, Ellis JI, Aylagas E, Roth F, Kharbatia N, Thomson T, Carvalho S, Jones BH, Berumen ML. Interaction effects of crude oil and nutrient exposure on settlement of coral reef benthos. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114352. [PMID: 36395713 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic stressors increasingly cause ecosystem-level changes to sensitive marine habitats such as coral reefs. Intensification of coastal development and shipping traffic can increase nutrient and oil pollution on coral reefs, yet these two stressors have not been studied in conjunction. Here, we simulate a disturbance scenario exposing carbonate settlement tiles to nutrient and oil pollution in a full-factorial design with four treatments: control, nutrients, oil, and combination to examine community structure and net primary productivity (NPP) of pioneer communities throughout 28 weeks. Compared to the control treatment oil pollution decreased overall settlement and NPP, while nutrients increased turf algae and NPP. However, the combination of these two stressors resulted in similar community composition and NPP as the control. These results indicate that pioneer communities may experience shifts due to nutrient enrichment, and/or oil pollution. However, the timing and duration of an event will influence recovery trajectories requiring further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Marie Hulver
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; The Ohio State University (OSU), School of Earth Sciences, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Alexandra Steckbauer
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joanne I Ellis
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; University of Waikato, School of Biological Sciences, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
| | - Eva Aylagas
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Florian Roth
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Najeh Kharbatia
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Analytical Chemistry Core Lab Facilities, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Timothy Thomson
- University of Waikato, School of Biological Sciences, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
| | - Susana Carvalho
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Burton H Jones
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael L Berumen
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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20
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Mack L, de la Hoz CF, Penk M, Piggott J, Crowe T, Hering D, Kaijser W, Aroviita J, Baer J, Borja A, Clark DE, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Kotta J, Matthaei CD, O'Beirn F, Paerl HW, Sokolowski A, Vilmi A, Birk S. Perceived multiple stressor effects depend on sample size and stressor gradient length. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 226:119260. [PMID: 36279611 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119260] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Multiple stressors are continuously deteriorating surface waters worldwide, posing many challenges for their conservation and restoration. Combined effect types of multiple stressors range from single-stressor dominance to complex interactions. Identifying prevalent combined effect types is critical for environmental management, as it helps to prioritise key stressors for mitigation. However, it remains unclear whether observed single and combined stressor effects reflect true ecological processes unbiased by sample size and length of stressor gradients. Therefore, we examined the role of sample size and stressor gradient lengths in 158 paired-stressor response cases with over 120,000 samples from rivers, lakes, transitional and marine ecosystems around the world. For each case, we split the overall stressor gradient into two partial gradients (lower and upper) and investigated associated changes in single and combined stressor effects. Sample size influenced the identified combined effect types, and stressor interactions were less likely for cases with fewer samples. After splitting gradients, 40 % of cases showed a change in combined effect type, 30 % no change, and 31 % showed a loss in stressor effects. These findings suggest that identified combined effect types may often be statistical artefacts rather than representing ecological processes. In 58 % of cases, we observed changes in stressor effect directions after the gradient split, suggesting unimodal stressor effects. In general, such non-linear responses were more pronounced for organisms at higher trophic levels. We conclude that observed multiple stressor effects are not solely determined by ecological processes, but also strongly depend on sampling design. Observed effects are likely to change when sample size and/or gradient length are modified. Our study highlights the need for improved monitoring programmes with sufficient sample size and stressor gradient coverage. Our findings emphasize the importance of adaptive management, as stress reduction measures or further ecosystem degradation may change multiple stressor-effect relationships, which will then require associated changes in management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leoni Mack
- Faculty of Aquatic Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, Essen D-45141, Germany.
| | - Camino Fernández de la Hoz
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute, Universidad de Cantabria, Spain; Earth Institute and School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marcin Penk
- Department of Zoology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Tasman Crowe
- Earth Institute and School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniel Hering
- Faculty of Aquatic Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, Essen D-45141, Germany; Centre of Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Willem Kaijser
- Faculty of Aquatic Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, Essen D-45141, Germany
| | - Jukka Aroviita
- Freshwater Centre, Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Oulu, Finland
| | - Jan Baer
- Fisheries Research Station Baden-Württemberg, Langenargen, Germany
| | - Angel Borja
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Pasaia, Spain; Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Jonne Kotta
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | | | - Hans W Paerl
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, USA
| | - Adam Sokolowski
- Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Annika Vilmi
- Freshwater Centre, Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Oulu, Finland
| | - Sebastian Birk
- Faculty of Aquatic Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, Essen D-45141, Germany
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21
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Morris OF, Loewen CJG, Woodward G, Schäfer RB, Piggott JJ, Vinebrooke RD, Jackson MC. Local stressors mask the effects of warming in freshwater ecosystems. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:2540-2551. [PMID: 36161435 PMCID: PMC9826496 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming is a ubiquitous stressor in freshwater ecosystems, yet its interactive effects with other stressors are poorly understood. We address this knowledge gap by testing the ability of three contrasting null models to predict the joint impacts of warming and a range of other aquatic stressors using a new database of 296 experimental combinations. Despite concerns that stressors will interact to cause synergisms, we found that net impacts were usually best explained by the effect of the stronger stressor alone (the dominance null model), especially if this stressor was a local disturbance associated with human land use. Prediction accuracy depended on stressor identity and how asymmetric stressors were in the magnitude of their effects. These findings suggest we can effectively predict the impacts of multiple stressors by focusing on the stronger stressor, as habitat alteration, nutrients and contamination often override the biological consequences of higher temperatures in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia F. Morris
- Georgina Mace Centre for the Living PlanetDepartment of Life SciencesSilwood Park CampusImperial College LondonBerkshireUK
| | - Charlie J. G. Loewen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Guy Woodward
- Georgina Mace Centre for the Living PlanetDepartment of Life SciencesSilwood Park CampusImperial College LondonBerkshireUK
| | - Ralf B. Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental SciencesUniversity Koblenz‐LandauLandau in der PfalzGermany
| | - Jeremy J. Piggott
- Department of ZoologyTrinity College DublinThe University of DublinDublinIreland
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22
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Experimental evolution reveals complex responses to environmental change. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2214263119. [PMID: 36223412 PMCID: PMC9618135 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214263119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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23
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Burgess BJ, Jackson MC, Murrell DJ. Are experiment sample sizes adequate to detect biologically important interactions between multiple stressors? Ecol Evol 2022. [PMID: 36177120 DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.21.453207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
As most ecosystems are being challenged by multiple, co-occurring stressors, an important challenge is to understand and predict how stressors interact to affect biological responses. A popular approach is to design factorial experiments that measure biological responses to pairs of stressors and compare the observed response to a null model expectation. Unfortunately, we believe experiment sample sizes are inadequate to detect most non-null stressor interaction responses, greatly hindering progress. Using both real and simulated data, we show sample sizes typical of many experiments (<6) can (i) only detect very large deviations from the additive null model, implying many important non-null stressor-pair interactions are being missed, and (ii) potentially lead to mostly statistical outliers being reported. Computer code that simulates data under either additive or multiplicative null models is provided to estimate statistical power for user-defined responses and sample sizes, and we recommend this is used to aid experimental design and interpretation of results. We suspect that most experiments may require 20 or more replicates per treatment to have adequate power to detect nonadditive. However, estimates of power need to be made while considering the smallest interaction of interest, i.e., the lower limit for a biologically important interaction, which is likely to be system-specific, meaning a general guide is unavailable. We discuss ways in which the smallest interaction of interest can be chosen, and how sample sizes can be increased. Our main analyses relate to the additive null model, but we show similar problems occur for the multiplicative null model, and we encourage similar investigations into the statistical power of other null models and inference methods. Without knowledge of the detection abilities of the statistical tools at hand or the definition of the smallest meaningful interaction, we will undoubtedly continue to miss important ecosystem stressor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Burgess
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London London UK
- RTI Health Solutions Didsbury, Manchester UK
| | | | - David J Murrell
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London London UK
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24
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Burgess BJ, Jackson MC, Murrell DJ. Are experiment sample sizes adequate to detect biologically important interactions between multiple stressors? Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9289. [PMID: 36177120 PMCID: PMC9475135 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As most ecosystems are being challenged by multiple, co‐occurring stressors, an important challenge is to understand and predict how stressors interact to affect biological responses. A popular approach is to design factorial experiments that measure biological responses to pairs of stressors and compare the observed response to a null model expectation. Unfortunately, we believe experiment sample sizes are inadequate to detect most non‐null stressor interaction responses, greatly hindering progress. Using both real and simulated data, we show sample sizes typical of many experiments (<6) can (i) only detect very large deviations from the additive null model, implying many important non‐null stressor‐pair interactions are being missed, and (ii) potentially lead to mostly statistical outliers being reported. Computer code that simulates data under either additive or multiplicative null models is provided to estimate statistical power for user‐defined responses and sample sizes, and we recommend this is used to aid experimental design and interpretation of results. We suspect that most experiments may require 20 or more replicates per treatment to have adequate power to detect nonadditive. However, estimates of power need to be made while considering the smallest interaction of interest, i.e., the lower limit for a biologically important interaction, which is likely to be system‐specific, meaning a general guide is unavailable. We discuss ways in which the smallest interaction of interest can be chosen, and how sample sizes can be increased. Our main analyses relate to the additive null model, but we show similar problems occur for the multiplicative null model, and we encourage similar investigations into the statistical power of other null models and inference methods. Without knowledge of the detection abilities of the statistical tools at hand or the definition of the smallest meaningful interaction, we will undoubtedly continue to miss important ecosystem stressor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Burgess
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London London UK.,RTI Health Solutions Didsbury, Manchester UK
| | | | - David J Murrell
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London London UK
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25
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Lei X, Zhang Y, Jiang L, Luo Y, Zhou G, Sun Y, Huang H. Zonal macroalgae blooms influenced by different aquaculture discharges in the Xuwen fringing reef, southern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153594. [PMID: 35122855 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Reef-building corals are experiencing major impacts from climate change and increasing anthropogenic activities worldwide. Coral reef degradation is associated with the loss of coral species abundance and diversity, followed by an ecological imbalance that commonly occurs with a shift from coral- to macroalgae-dominated community states. The species composition of the bloom-forming macroalgae in the Xuwen National Coral Reef Reserve, southern China, and the associated drivers affecting the composition remain unclear. We investigated the relationship between zonal macroalgae blooms and different aquaculture discharges in this coral reef in March 2016. The structure of macroalgae communities varied greatly among the three study sites, with green and brown algae dominating the high-level pond aquaculture discharge zone; red, green and brown algae dominating the tidal flat aquaculture discharge zone; and green and brown algae dominating in the enclosure aquaculture discharge zone. A significant amount of variation in the structure and composition of the macroalgae community was explained by temperature, total suspended solids (TSS), chlorophyll a (Chla) and dissolved inorganic nutrients (DIN), while temperature and TSS had a significant relationship with these variables. Our findings highlight the negative effects of aquaculture sewage discharges on the health of coral reefs, and we recommend effective and integrated management of anthropogenic sewage discharge into coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinming Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Yong Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Guowei Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Youfang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Hui Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; CAS-HKUST Sanya Joint Laboratory of Marine Science Research and Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
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26
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Pirotta E, Thomas L, Costa DP, Hall AJ, Harris CM, Harwood J, Kraus SD, Miller PJO, Moore MJ, Photopoulou T, Rolland RM, Schwacke L, Simmons SE, Southall BL, Tyack PL. Understanding the combined effects of multiple stressors: A new perspective on a longstanding challenge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153322. [PMID: 35074373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife populations and their habitats are exposed to an expanding diversity and intensity of stressors caused by human activities, within the broader context of natural processes and increasing pressure from climate change. Estimating how these multiple stressors affect individuals, populations, and ecosystems is thus of growing importance. However, their combined effects often cannot be predicted reliably from the individual effects of each stressor, and we lack the mechanistic understanding and analytical tools to predict their joint outcomes. We review the science of multiple stressors and present a conceptual framework that captures and reconciles the variety of existing approaches for assessing combined effects. Specifically, we show that all approaches lie along a spectrum, reflecting increasing assumptions about the mechanisms that regulate the action of single stressors and their combined effects. An emphasis on mechanisms improves analytical precision and predictive power but could introduce bias if the underlying assumptions are incorrect. A purely empirical approach has less risk of bias but requires adequate data on the effects of the full range of anticipated combinations of stressor types and magnitudes. We illustrate how this spectrum can be formalised into specific analytical methods, using an example of North Atlantic right whales feeding on limited prey resources while simultaneously being affected by entanglement in fishing gear. In practice, case-specific management needs and data availability will guide the exploration of the stressor combinations of interest and the selection of a suitable trade-off between precision and bias. We argue that the primary goal for adaptive management should be to identify the most practical and effective ways to remove or reduce specific combinations of stressors, bringing the risk of adverse impacts on populations and ecosystems below acceptable thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Catriona M Harris
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - John Harwood
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Scott D Kraus
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Michael J Moore
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Theoni Photopoulou
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Rosalind M Rolland
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Lori Schwacke
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, Johns Island, SC, USA.
| | | | - Brandon L Southall
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Southall Environmental Associates, Inc., Aptos, CA, USA.
| | - Peter L Tyack
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
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27
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Bejarano I, Orenes-Salazar V, Bento R, García-Charton JA, Mateos-Molina D. Coral reefs at Sir Bu Nair Island: An offshore refuge of Acropora in the southern Arabian Gulf. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 178:113570. [PMID: 35349864 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs across the southern Arabian Gulf have declined in the past two decades, with extensive loss of formerly Acropora table corals, which are now functionally extinct in nearshore reefs. This study documents the coral community at Sir Bu Nair (SBN), an offshore island buffered by less extreme environmental conditions, which contains the last remaining large stands of Acropora in the southern Gulf. We found that Acropora is a major reef-building coral throughout SBN. Mean coral cover was 27% (range: 6%-49%) across all sites and depths, of which more than half was comprised by Acropora. This varied around the island, with the highest densities to the south and southwest in shallow waters. Our study provides essential information for the management and conservation of these highly valuable and vulnerable corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Department, American University of Sharjah, 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Victor Orenes-Salazar
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rita Bento
- Emirates Nature - World Wide Fund for Nature (Emirates Nature-WWF), P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Daniel Mateos-Molina
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Emirates Nature - World Wide Fund for Nature (Emirates Nature-WWF), P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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28
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Meziere Z, Rich WA, Carvalho S, Benzoni F, Morán XAG, Berumen ML. Stylophora under stress: A review of research trends and impacts of stressors on a model coral species. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 816:151639. [PMID: 34780827 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sometimes called the "lab rat" of coral research, Stylophora pistillata (Esper, 1797) has been extensively used in coral biology in studies ranging from reef ecology to coral metabolic processes, and has been used as a model for investigations into molecular and cellular biology. Previously thought to be a common species spanning a wide distribution through the Indo-Pacific region, "S. pistillata" is in fact four genetically distinct lineages (clades) with different evolutionary histories and geographical distributions. Here, we review the studies of stress responses of S. pistillatasensulato (clades 1-4) and highlight research trends and knowledge gaps. We identify 126 studies on stress responses including effects of temperature, acidification, eutrophication, pollutants and other local impacts. We find that most studies have focused on the effect of single stressors, especially increased temperature, and have neglected the combined effects of multiple stressors. Roughly 61% of studies on S. pistillata come from the northern Red Sea (clade 4), at the extreme limit of its current distribution; clades 2 and 3 are virtually unstudied. The overwhelming majority of studies were conducted in laboratory or mesocosm conditions, with field experiments constituting only 2% of studies. We also note that a variety of experimental designs and treatment conditions makes it difficult to draw general conclusions about the effects of particular stressors on S. pistillata. Given those knowledge gaps and limitations in the published research, we suggest a more standardized approach to compare responses across geographically disparate populations and more accurately anticipate responses to predicted future climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Meziere
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Walter A Rich
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Susana Carvalho
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Francesca Benzoni
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xosé Anxelu G Morán
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Gijón/Xixón, Gijón/Xixón, Spain
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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29
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Holbrook SJ, Wencélius J, Dubel AK, Adam TC, Cook DC, Hunter CE, Lauer M, Lester SE, Miller SD, Rassweiler A, Schmitt RJ. Spatial covariation in nutrient enrichment and fishing of herbivores in an oceanic coral reef ecosystem. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2515. [PMID: 34918841 PMCID: PMC9285716 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Both natural and anthropogenic stressors are increasing on coral reefs, resulting in large-scale loss of coral and potential shifts from coral- to macroalgae-dominated community states. Two factors implicated in shifts to macroalgae are nutrient enrichment and fishing of reef herbivores. Although either of these factors alone could facilitate establishment of macroalgae, reefs may be particularly vulnerable to coral-to-algae phase shifts in which strong bottom-up forcing from nutrient enrichment is accompanied by a weakening of herbivore control of macroalgae via intense fishing. We explored spatial heterogeneity and covariance in these drivers on reefs in the lagoons of Moorea, French Polynesia, where the local fishery heavily targets herbivorous fishes and there are spatially variable inputs of nutrients from agricultural fertilizers and wastewater systems. Spatial patterns of fishing and nutrient enrichment were not correlated at the two landscape scales we examined: among the 11 interconnected lagoons around the island or among major habitats (fringing reef, mid-lagoon, back reef) within a lagoon. This decoupling at the landscape scale resulted from patterns of covariation between enrichment and fishing that differed qualitatively between cross-shore and long-shore directions. At the cross-shore scale, nutrient enrichment declined but fishing increased from shore to the crest of the barrier reef. By contrast, nutrient enrichment and fishing were positively correlated in the long-shore direction, with both increasing with proximity to a pass in the barrier reef. Contrary to widespread assumptions in the scientific literature that human coastal population density correlates with impact on marine ecosystems and that fishing effort declines linearly with distance from the shore, these local stressors produced a complex spatial mosaic of reef vulnerabilities. Our findings support spatially explicit management involving the control of anthropogenic nutrients and strategic reductions in fishing pressure on herbivores by highlighting specific areas to target for management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally J. Holbrook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jean Wencélius
- Department of AnthropologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alexandra K. Dubel
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Thomas C. Adam
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Dana C. Cook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chelsea E. Hunter
- Department of AnthropologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of AnthropologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Matthew Lauer
- Department of AnthropologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sarah E. Lester
- Department of GeographyFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Scott D. Miller
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Andrew Rassweiler
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Russell J. Schmitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
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30
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Cumulative Effects of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Measures on Algae Growth Inhibition. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14060877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Measures based on concurrent alterations of an environment’s physical, chemical, and biological factors are commonly adopted to control harmful algal blooms (HABs). It was postulated that the combinations and interactions of multiple measures could exert cumulative effects (as the overall effect may or may not be equal to the additive sum for each measure individually). However, few studies have further assessed whether the cumulative effect is synergistic, additive, or antagonistic. This study proposed a framework to distinguish and quantify the cumulative effects. We also designed an experiment to investigate the cumulative effect of the combined utilization of physical (flow velocity), chemical (copper), and biological (propionamide) measures on algae growth inhibition. The results show that the cumulative effect of physical and chemical measures on algae growth inhibition was antagonistic; the cumulative effect of physical and biological measures was antagonistic; the cumulative effect of chemical and biological measures was synergistic, and the cumulative effect of all the measures together tended to be antagonistic. These results showed that the synergistic interactions between chemical and biological measures produced antagonistic effects when physical measures were added. Through response surface methodology analysis, we also found that the physical factor was the most significant factor affecting the cumulative effect, followed by the chemical factor and then the biological factor. Our results provide a more detailed understanding of the interaction patterns among multiple measures that affect algal growth. Importantly, this understanding can be further integrated into future strategy development to fully exploit the potential of the cumulative effect at its maximum performance.
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Tuttle LJ, Donahue MJ. Effects of sediment exposure on corals: a systematic review of experimental studies. ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE 2022; 11:4. [PMID: 35154667 PMCID: PMC8818373 DOI: 10.1186/s13750-022-00256-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management actions that address local-scale stressors on coral reefs can rapidly improve water quality and reef ecosystem condition. In response to reef managers who need actionable thresholds for coastal runoff and dredging, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies that explore the effects of sediment on corals. We identified exposure levels that 'adversely' affect corals while accounting for sediment bearing (deposited vs. suspended), coral life-history stage, and species, thus providing empirically based estimates of stressor thresholds on vulnerable coral reefs. METHODS We searched online databases and grey literature to obtain a list of potential studies, assess their eligibility, and critically appraise them for validity and risk of bias. Data were extracted from eligible studies and grouped by sediment bearing and coral response to identify thresholds in terms of the lowest exposure levels that induced an adverse physiological and/or lethal effect. Meta-regression estimated the dose-response relationship between exposure level and the magnitude of a coral's response, with random-effects structures to estimate the proportion of variance explained by factors such as study and coral species. REVIEW FINDINGS After critical appraisal of over 15,000 records, our systematic review of corals' responses to sediment identified 86 studies to be included in meta-analyses (45 studies for deposited sediment and 42 studies for suspended sediment). The lowest sediment exposure levels that caused adverse effects in corals were well below the levels previously described as 'normal' on reefs: for deposited sediment, adverse effects occurred as low as 1 mg/cm2/day for larvae (limited settlement rates) and 4.9 mg/cm2/day for adults (tissue mortality); for suspended sediment, adverse effects occurred as low as 10 mg/L for juveniles (reduced growth rates) and 3.2 mg/L for adults (bleaching and tissue mortality). Corals take at least 10 times longer to experience tissue mortality from exposure to suspended sediment than to comparable concentrations of deposited sediment, though physiological changes manifest 10 times faster in response to suspended sediment than to deposited sediment. Threshold estimates derived from continuous response variables (magnitude of adverse effect) largely matched the lowest-observed adverse-effect levels from a summary of studies, or otherwise helped us to identify research gaps that should be addressed to better quantify the dose-response relationship between sediment exposure and coral health. CONCLUSIONS We compiled a global dataset that spans three oceans, over 140 coral species, decades of research, and a range of field- and lab-based approaches. Our review and meta-analysis inform the no-observed and lowest-observed adverse-effect levels (NOAEL, LOAEL) that are used in management consultations by U.S. federal agencies. In the absence of more location- or species-specific data to inform decisions, our results provide the best available information to protect vulnerable reef-building corals from sediment stress. Based on gaps and limitations identified by our review, we make recommendations to improve future studies and recommend future synthesis to disentangle the potentially synergistic effects of multiple coral-reef stressors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13750-022-00256-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian J. Tuttle
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744 USA
- NOAA NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, Honolulu, HI 96860 USA
| | - Megan J. Donahue
- Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744 USA
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Chen CY, Lu TH, Liao CM. Integrated toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic assessment modeling reveals at-risk scleractinian corals under extensive microplastics impacts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150964. [PMID: 34656596 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Marine microplastics (MPs)-induced threats to shallow-water scleractinian corals are a growing global concern that needs interdisciplinary studies. However, it remains uncertain to what extent the ecotoxicological effects of MPs can explain the potential health impacts on corals at the species-specific scale. Using recent datasets of multiple MPs-induced impacts on coral species, we developed an integrated ecotoxicological modeling approach to quantify the MPs-corals interaction dynamics. Toxicokinetic (TK)-based corals ingestion, egestion, and adhesion processes posed by MPs were comprehensively evaluated. Based on estimated uptake and egestion rates, we showed that corals were much likely to bioaccumulate marine MPs. We applied toxicodynamic (TD) models to appraise time- and concentration-dependent response patterns across MPs-corals systems. We found that marine MPs are highly toxic to corals with a median benchmark concentration causing 10% compromised coral health of 20-40 mg L-1 and a mean growth inhibition rate of ~2% d-1. By providing these key quantitative metrics that may inform scientists to refine existing management strategies to better understand the long-term impact of MPs on coral reef ecosystems. Our TK/TD modeling scheme can help integrating current toxicological findings to encompass a more mechanistic-, ecological-, and process-based understanding of diverse coral ecosystems that are sensitive to MPs stressor varied considerably by species and taxonomic group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yun Chen
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tien-Hsuan Lu
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chung-Min Liao
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC.
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Díaz-Morales DM, Bommarito C, Vajedsamiei J, Grabner DS, Rilov G, Wahl M, Sures B. Heat sensitivity of first host and cercariae may restrict parasite transmission in a warming sea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1174. [PMID: 35064187 PMCID: PMC8782892 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05139-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
To predict global warming impacts on parasitism, we should describe the thermal tolerance of all players in host-parasite systems. Complex life-cycle parasites such as trematodes are of particular interest since they can drive complex ecological changes. This study evaluates the net response to temperature of the infective larval stage of Himasthla elongata, a parasite inhabiting the southwestern Baltic Sea. The thermal sensitivity of (i) the infected and uninfected first intermediate host (Littorina littorea) and (ii) the cercarial emergence, survival, self-propelling, encystment, and infection capacity to the second intermediate host (Mytilus edulis sensu lato) were examined. We found that infection by the trematode rendered the gastropod more susceptible to elevated temperatures representing warm summer events in the region. At 22 °C, cercarial emergence and infectivity were at their optimum while cercarial survival was shortened, narrowing the time window for successful mussel infection. Faster out-of-host encystment occurred at increasing temperatures. After correcting the cercarial emergence and infectivity for the temperature-specific gastropod survival, we found that warming induces net adverse effects on the trematode transmission to the bivalve host. The findings suggest that gastropod and cercariae mortality, as a tradeoff for the emergence and infectivity, will hamper the possibility for trematodes to flourish in a warming ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakeishla M Díaz-Morales
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Claudia Bommarito
- Benthic and Experimental Ecology Department, GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jahangir Vajedsamiei
- Benthic and Experimental Ecology Department, GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - Daniel S Grabner
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gil Rilov
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 8030, 31080, Haifa, Israel
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, 31905, Haifa, Israel
| | - Martin Wahl
- Benthic and Experimental Ecology Department, GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - Bernd Sures
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Bozec Y, Hock K, Mason RAB, Baird ME, Castro‐Sanguino C, Condie SA, Puotinen M, Thompson A, Mumby PJ. Cumulative impacts across Australia’s Great Barrier Reef: a mechanistic evaluation. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yves‐Marie Bozec
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences & ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Karlo Hock
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences & ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Robert A. B. Mason
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences & ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Mark E. Baird
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
| | - Carolina Castro‐Sanguino
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences & ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | | | - Marji Puotinen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science & Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Angus Thompson
- Australian Institute of Marine Science Townsville Queensland 4810 Australia
| | - Peter J. Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences & ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
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Cebrian E, Linares C, Garrabou J. Warming may increase the vulnerability of calcareous algae to bioinvasions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113099. [PMID: 34798431 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the interactions between various stressors, and the resulting cumulative impacts they exert, is essential in order to predict the potential resilience of marine habitats to climate change. Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a major calcifying component of marine habitats, from tropical to polar oceans, and play a central role as ecosystem engineers in many rocky reefs. These species are increasingly threatened by the stress of climate change. However, the effects of other stressors linked to global change, such as invasive species, have scarcely been addressed. We have studied the interactive effects of invasive algae and global warming on CCA, combining observational and experimental approaches. CCA sensitivity to invasive algae is heightened when they are concurrently exposed to elevated seawater temperature, and the interaction between these two stressors triggers drastic synergistic effects on CCA. The reduction and eventual disappearance of these "ecosystem foundation species" may undermine ecological functioning, leading to the disappearance and/or fragmentation of the communities associated with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Cebrian
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEAB-CSIC), Spain.
| | - C Linares
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute for Research on Biodiversity (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Garrabou
- Institut de Ciències del Mar-Consell Superior d'Investigacions Científiques, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain; Aix Marseille Univ., University of Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, Marseille, France
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36
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Conway AJ, Gonsior M, Clark C, Heyes A, Mitchelmore CL. Acute toxicity of the UV filter oxybenzone to the coral Galaxea fascicularis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148666. [PMID: 34273823 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs are impacted by a variety of anthropogenic stressors including inputs of chemical contaminants. Although data is currently limited, sunscreens containing ultraviolet (UV) filters have recently been suggested as an emerging class of chemical contaminants. To provide further data on the toxicity of the UV filter oxybenzone (benzophenone-3 or BP-3) to corals, we conducted three independent acute toxicity tests exposing the colonial stony coral Galaxea fascicularis to BP-3 (0.31 to 10 mg/L nominal concentrations). Assessments included daily analytical verification of the exposure concentrations, calculation of the lethal concentration to result in 50% mortality (LC50) and numerous biological endpoints to further investigate the potential impact to both the coral and symbiont. LC50s for the three tests were similar and averaged 6.53 ± 0.47 mg/L nominal concentration BP-3 (4.45 mg/L measured dissolved BP-3). BP-3 did not initiate coral bleaching or show a significant loss of symbionts from the coral tissue in this species as reductions in measurements used for bleaching (i.e. visual color, color saturation and photosynthetic pigment concentrations) were only seen concurrently with tissue loss (i.e. at ≥2.5 mg/L nominal concentration BP-3). Polyp retraction, the most sensitive endpoint of this test, was seen to be a sub-lethal behavioral response to BP-3 exposure. Using the calculated LC50 with measured concentrations from a high-quality UV filter monitoring study in Hawaii, a preliminary, conservative risk quotient for BP-3 was calculated at 0.032. These results suggest that BP-3 likely does not pose an acute risk of mortality to G. fascicularis and additional testing is required to determine sublethal impacts of BP-3 under environmentally relevant concentrations and longer-term chronic exposures. This study highlights complications in conducting toxicity tests with organic UV filters including under-estimations of exposure concentrations and provides recommendations to improve these methods for better comparisons between studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annaleise J Conway
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, 146 Williams Street, Solomons, MD 20688, USA
| | - Michael Gonsior
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, 146 Williams Street, Solomons, MD 20688, USA
| | - Cheryl Clark
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, 146 Williams Street, Solomons, MD 20688, USA
| | - Andrew Heyes
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, 146 Williams Street, Solomons, MD 20688, USA
| | - Carys L Mitchelmore
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, 146 Williams Street, Solomons, MD 20688, USA.
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Bairos-Novak KR, Hoogenboom MO, van Oppen MJH, Connolly SR. Coral adaptation to climate change: Meta-analysis reveals high heritability across multiple traits. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:5694-5710. [PMID: 34482591 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change is a rapidly intensifying selection pressure on biodiversity across the globe and, particularly, on the world's coral reefs. The rate of adaptation to climate change is proportional to the amount of phenotypic variation that can be inherited by subsequent generations (i.e., narrow-sense heritability, h2 ). Thus, traits that have higher heritability (e.g., h2 > 0.5) are likely to adapt to future conditions faster than traits with lower heritability (e.g., h2 < 0.1). Here, we synthesize 95 heritability estimates across 19 species of reef-building corals. Our meta-analysis reveals low heritability (h2 < 0.25) of gene expression metrics, intermediate heritability (h2 = 0.25-0.50) of photochemistry, growth, and bleaching, and high heritability (h2 > 0.50) for metrics related to survival and immune responses. Some of these values are higher than typically observed in other taxa, such as survival and growth, while others were more comparable, such as gene expression and photochemistry. There was no detectable effect of temperature on heritability, but narrow-sense heritability estimates were generally lower than broad-sense estimates, indicative of significant non-additive genetic variation across traits. Trait heritability also varied depending on coral life stage, with bleaching and growth in juveniles generally having lower heritability compared to bleaching and growth in larvae and adults. These differences may be the result of previous stabilizing selection on juveniles or may be due to constrained evolution resulting from genetic trade-offs or genetic correlations between growth and thermotolerance. While we find no evidence that heritability decreases under temperature stress, explicit tests of the heritability of thermal tolerance itself-such as coral thermal reaction norm shape-are lacking. Nevertheless, our findings overall reveal high trait heritability for the majority of coral traits, suggesting corals may have a greater potential to adapt to climate change than has been assumed in recent evolutionary models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Bairos-Novak
- College of Science and Engineering and ARCCOE for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mia O Hoogenboom
- College of Science and Engineering and ARCCOE for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean R Connolly
- College of Science and Engineering and ARCCOE for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
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38
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Muller EM, Dungan AM, Million WC, Eaton KR, Petrik C, Bartels E, Hall ER, Kenkel CD. Heritable variation and lack of tradeoffs suggest adaptive capacity in Acropora cervicornis despite negative synergism under climate change scenarios. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210923. [PMID: 34641725 PMCID: PMC8511747 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of multi-stressor interactions and the potential for tradeoffs among tolerance traits is essential for developing intervention strategies for the conservation and restoration of reef ecosystems in a changing climate. Thermal extremes and acidification are two major co-occurring stresses predicted to limit the recovery of vital Caribbean reef-building corals. Here, we conducted an aquarium-based experiment to quantify the effects of increased water temperatures and pCO2 individually and in concert on 12 genotypes of the endangered branching coral Acropora cervicornis, currently being reared and outplanted for large-scale coral restoration. Quantification of 12 host, symbiont and holobiont traits throughout the two-month-long experiment showed several synergistic negative effects, where the combined stress treatment often caused a greater reduction in physiological function than the individual stressors alone. However, we found significant genetic variation for most traits and positive trait correlations among treatments indicating an apparent lack of tradeoffs, suggesting that adaptive evolution will not be constrained. Our results suggest that it may be possible to incorporate climate-resistant coral genotypes into restoration and selective breeding programmes, potentially accelerating adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley M. Dungan
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wyatt C. Million
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Chelsea Petrik
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
| | - Erich Bartels
- Mote Marine Laboratory, International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Summerland Key, FL, USA
| | | | - Carly D. Kenkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Flores F, Marques JA, Uthicke S, Fisher R, Patel F, Kaserzon S, Negri AP. Combined effects of climate change and the herbicide diuron on the coral Acropora millepora. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 169:112582. [PMID: 34119962 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is threatened by climate change and local pressures, including contaminants in nearshore habitats. This study investigated the combined effects of a GBR-relevant contaminant, the herbicide diuron, under current and two future climate scenarios on the coral Acropora millepora. All physiological responses tested (effective quantum yield (ΔF/Fm'), photosynthesis, calcification rate) were negatively affected with increasing concentrations of diuron. Interactive effects between diuron and climate were observed for all responses; however, climate had no significant effect on ΔF/Fm' or calcification rates. Photosynthesis was negatively affected as the climate scenarios were adjusted from ambient (28.1 °C, pCO2 = 397 ppm) to RCP8.5 2050 (29.1 °C, pCO2 = 680 ppm) and 2100 (30.2 °C, pCO2 = 858 ppm) with EC50 values declining from 19.4 to 10.6 and 2.6 μg L-1 diuron in turn. These results highlight the likelihood that water quality guideline values may need to be adjusted as the climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florita Flores
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.
| | - Joseane A Marques
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Sven Uthicke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Fisher
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Frances Patel
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.
| | - Sarit Kaserzon
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Andrew P Negri
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.
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Gonzalez-Espinosa PC, Donner SD. Cloudiness reduces the bleaching response of coral reefs exposed to heat stress. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:3474-3486. [PMID: 33964101 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and warming ocean temperatures are a threat to coral reef ecosystems. Since the 1980s, there has been an increase in mass coral bleaching and associated coral mortality due to more frequent and severe thermal stress. Although most research has focused on the role of temperature, coral bleaching is a product of the interacting effects of temperature and other environmental variables such as solar radiation. High light exacerbates the effects of thermal stress on corals, whereas reductions in light can reduce sensitivity to thermal stress. Here, we use an updated global dataset of coral bleaching observations (n = 35,769) from 1985 to 2017 and satellite-derived datasets of SST and clouds to examine for the first time at a global scale the influence of cloudiness on the likelihood of bleaching from thermal stress. We find that among coral reefs exposed to severe bleaching-level heat stress (Degree Heating Weeks >8°Cˑweek), bleaching severity is inversely correlated with the interaction of heat stress and cloud fraction anomalies (p < 0.05), such that higher cloudiness implies reduced bleaching response. A Random Forest model analysis employing different set of environmental variables shows that a model employing Degree Heating Weeks and the 30-day cloud fraction anomaly most accurately predicts bleaching severity (Accuracy = 0.834; Cohen's Kappa = 0.769). Based on these results and global warm-season cloudiness patterns, we develop a 'cloudy refugia' index which identifies the central equatorial Pacific and French Polynesia as regions where cloudiness is most likely to protect corals from bleaching. Our findings suggest that incorporating cloudiness into prediction models can help delineate bleaching responses and identify reefs which may be more resilient to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro C Gonzalez-Espinosa
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Simon D Donner
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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41
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Hackerott S, Martell HA, Eirin-Lopez JM. Coral environmental memory: causes, mechanisms, and consequences for future reefs. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:1011-1023. [PMID: 34366170 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The apparent ability of corals to acquire and maintain enhanced stress tolerance through a dose-dependent environmental memory, which may persist for multiple years, has critical implications for coral reef conservation research. Such responses are variable across coral species and environmental stressors, with primed corals exhibiting a modified response to secondary stress exposures. While the mechanisms underlying coral memory responses are poorly understood, they likely involve both the coral host and microbiome. With advances in molecular technologies, it is now possible to investigate potential memory mechanisms in non-model organisms, including transcriptional regulation through epigenetic modifications. We integrate evidence of coral environmental memory and suggest future research directions to evaluate the potential for this process to enhance coral resilience under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Hackerott
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment, Biological Sciences Department, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA
| | - Harmony A Martell
- Climate and Coastal Ecosystem Laboratory, Department of Geography & Institute of Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jose M Eirin-Lopez
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment, Biological Sciences Department, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA.
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42
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Burgess BJ, Purves D, Mace G, Murrell DJ. Classifying ecosystem stressor interactions: Theory highlights the data limitations of the additive null model and the difficulty in revealing ecological surprises. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:3052-3065. [PMID: 33830596 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how multiple co-occurring environmental stressors combine to affect biodiversity and ecosystem services is an on-going grand challenge for ecology. Currently, progress has been made through accumulating large numbers of smaller-scale empirical studies that are then investigated by meta-analyses to detect general patterns. There is particular interest in detecting, understanding and predicting 'ecological surprises' where stressors interact in a non-additive (e.g. antagonistic or synergistic) manner, but so far few general results have emerged. However, the ability of the statistical tools to recover non-additive interactions in the face of data uncertainty is unstudied, so crucially, we do not know how well the empirical results reflect the true stressor interactions. Here, we investigate the performance of the commonly implemented additive null model. A meta-analysis of a large (545 interactions) empirical dataset for the effects of pairs of stressors on freshwater communities reveals additive interactions dominate individual studies, whereas pooling the data leads to an antagonistic summary interaction class. However, analyses of simulated data from food chain models, where the underlying interactions are known, suggest both sets of results may be due to observation error within the data. Specifically, we show that the additive null model is highly sensitive to observation error, with non-additive interactions being reliably detected at only unrealistically low levels of data uncertainty. Similarly, plausible levels of observation error lead to meta-analyses reporting antagonistic summary interaction classifications even when synergies co-dominate. Therefore, while our empirical results broadly agree with those of previous freshwater meta-analyses, we conclude these patterns may be driven by statistical sampling rather than any ecological mechanisms. Further investigation of candidate null models used to define stressor-pair interactions is essential, and once any artefacts are accounted for, the so-called 'ecological surprises' may be more frequent than was previously assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Burgess
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Georgina Mace
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - David J Murrell
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
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Fong CR, Chiquillo KL, Gaynus CJ, Grier SR, Hà BA, Ryznar ER, Smith LL, Sura SA, Zweng RC, Anggoro AW, Moore TN, Fong P. Flip it and reverse it: Reasonable changes in designated controls can flip synergisms to antagonisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 772:145243. [PMID: 33578153 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ecological systems are subjected to multiple stressors that can interact in complex ways resulting in "ecological surprises". We examine the pivotal role of 'control' assignment in the categorization of stressors into five classes: additive, +synergistic, -synergistic, +antagonistic, and -antagonistic. We demonstrate if an alternate treatment can reasonably be considered the experimental control, nonlinear interaction classifications change, both in sign (+/-) and in direction (synergistic/antagonistic). Further, switching of interaction classifications is not predictable as changing control can result in multiple possible alternate nonlinear classifications. To explore the magnitude of this problem, we evaluate publications gathered for a recent meta-analysis to 1) explore rationales for choice of controls and 2) quantify how frequently it is reasonable to reassign the control. We found controls were designated with a variety of implicit and explicit justifications, with two overall rationales: 1) controls based on 'natural' conditions (historic, current, or future); 2) controls based on direction of impact, such that stressors always have negative impacts. We reasoned that control re-assignment was justified if an alternate treatment met one of these rationales. Of the 844 interactions classified in the meta-analysis, we determined >95% could be reassigned. Based on these findings, we recommend a new approach to meta-analyses, where the 'control' is strictly and consistently defined by the authors of the meta-analysis. These controls should be based on their broader question, rather than following the common practice of defaulting to controls assigned by the authors of each study, as we found these rationales vary broadly based on the specific questions of each study. Consistent control designation within the ecological or toxicological framework of each meta-analysis may provide deeper and more consistent insight into the nature of interactive effects between multiple stressors. Gaining this insight is crucial because stressor interactions are certain to increase in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R Fong
- California State University Northridge, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | - Benjamin A Hà
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Emily R Ryznar
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Lauren L Smith
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Shayna A Sura
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Regina C Zweng
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Aji W Anggoro
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Tiara N Moore
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Peggy Fong
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
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Lord KS, Barcala A, Aichelman HE, Kriefall NG, Brown C, Knasin L, Secor R, Tone C, Tsang L, Finnerty JR. Distinct Phenotypes Associated with Mangrove and Lagoon Habitats in Two Widespread Caribbean Corals, Porites astreoides and Porites divaricata. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2021; 240:169-190. [PMID: 34129438 DOI: 10.1086/714047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
AbstractAs coral reefs experience dramatic declines in coral cover throughout the tropics, there is an urgent need to understand the role that non-reef habitats, such as mangroves, play in the ecological niche of corals. Mangrove habitats present a challenge to reef-dwelling corals because they can differ dramatically from adjacent reef habitats with respect to key environmental parameters, such as light. Because variation in light within reef habitats is known to drive intraspecific differences in coral phenotype, we hypothesized that coral species that can exploit both reef and mangrove habitats will exhibit predictable differences in phenotypes between habitats. To investigate how intraspecific variation, driven by either local adaptation or phenotypic plasticity, might enable particular coral species to exploit these two qualitatively different habitat types, we compared the phenotypes of two widespread Caribbean corals, Porites divaricata and Porites astreoides, in mangrove versus lagoon habitats on Turneffe Atoll, Belize. We document significant differences in colony size, color, structural complexity, and corallite morphology between habitats. In every instance, the phenotypic differences between mangrove prop root and lagoon corals exhibited consistent trends in both P. divaricata and P. astreoides. We believe this study is the first to document intraspecific phenotypic diversity in corals occupying mangrove prop root versus lagoonal patch reef habitats. A difference in the capacity to adopt an alternative phenotype that is well suited to the mangrove habitat may explain why some reef coral species can exploit mangroves, while others cannot.
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45
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Brunner CA, Uthicke S, Ricardo GF, Hoogenboom MO, Negri AP. Climate change doubles sedimentation-induced coral recruit mortality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 768:143897. [PMID: 33454467 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143897] [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: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef replenishment is threatened by global climate change and local water-quality degradation, including smothering of coral recruits by sediments generated by anthropogenic activities. Here we show that the ability of Acropora millepora recruits to remove sediments diminishes under future climate conditions, leading to increased mortality. Recruits raised under future climate scenarios for fourteen weeks (highest treatment: +1.2 °C, pCO2: 950 ppm) showed twofold higher mortality following repeated sediment deposition (50% lethal sediment concentration LC50: 14-24 mg cm-2) compared to recruits raised under current climate conditions (LC50: 37-51 mg cm-2), depending on recruit age at the time of sedimentation. Older and larger recruits were more resistant to sedimentation and only ten-week-old recruits grown under current climate conditions survived sediment loads possible during dredging operations. This demonstrates that water-quality guidelines for managing sediment concentrations will need to be climate-adjusted to protect future coral recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Brunner
- James Cook University School of Marine and Tropical Biology, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; AIMS@JCU, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University and Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Sven Uthicke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; AIMS@JCU, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University and Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Gerard F Ricardo
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Mia O Hoogenboom
- James Cook University School of Marine and Tropical Biology, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Andrew P Negri
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; AIMS@JCU, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University and Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
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Jackson MC, Pawar S, Woodward G. The Temporal Dynamics of Multiple Stressor Effects: From Individuals to Ecosystems. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:402-410. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Development of a comprehensive assessment model for coral reef island carrying capacity(CORE-CC). Sci Rep 2021; 11:3917. [PMID: 33594218 PMCID: PMC7886852 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83481-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reef islands provide precious living space and valuable ecological services for human beings, and its sustainability cannot be ignored under the pressure of human activities. Carrying capacity (CC) assessment has gradually become an important means to measure sustainability of islands. However, there is little comprehensive evaluation of the carrying capacity of coral reef islands, and traditional evaluation methods are difficult to express the social-ecological characteristics of coral reef islands. The present paper proposes a comprehensive assessment model for coral reef island carrying capacity (CORE-CC) which comprises dimensions of resources supply, environmental assimilative, ecosystem services, and socio-economic supporting. According to the characteristics of the coral reef islands, the core factors and indicators of each dimension are selected and the corresponding assessment index system of "pressure-support" is constructed. The assessment involves (1) identification of carrying dimensions and core factors, (2) pressure/support measurement and (3) assessment of carrying state. A case study is conducted in Zhaoshu Island of China, demonstrating the applicability of CORE-CC model and serving as a reference for adaptive management.
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48
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Good AM, Bahr KD. The coral conservation crisis: interacting local and global stressors reduce reef resiliency and create challenges for conservation solutions. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-021-04319-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractCoral reefs are one of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Humans rely on these coral reef ecosystems to provide significant ecological and economic resources; however, coral reefs are threatened by numerous local and global anthropogenic factors that cause significant environmental change. The interactions of these local and global human impacts may increase the rate of coral reef degradation. For example, there are many local influences (i.e., sedimentation and submarine groundwater discharge) that may exacerbate coral bleaching and mortality. Therefore, researchers and resource managers cannot limit their narratives and actions to mitigating a sole stressor. With the continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions, management strategies and restoration techniques need to account for the scale at which environmental change occurs. This review aims to outline the various local and global anthropogenic stressors threatening reef resiliency and address the recent disagreements surrounding present-day conservation practices. Unfortunately, there is no one solution to preserve and restore all coral reefs. Each coral reef region is challenged by numerous interactive stressors that affect its ecosystem response, recovery, and services in various ways. This review discusses, while global reef degradation occurs, local solutions should be implemented to efficiently protect the coral reef ecosystem services that are valuable to marine and terrestrial environments.
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Physiological and molecular responses of lobe coral indicate nearshore adaptations to anthropogenic stressors. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3423. [PMID: 33564085 PMCID: PMC7873073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82569-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Corals in nearshore marine environments are increasingly exposed to reduced water quality, which is the primary local threat to Hawaiian coral reefs. It is unclear if corals surviving in such conditions have adapted to withstand sedimentation, pollutants, and other environmental stressors. Lobe coral populations from Maunalua Bay, Hawaii showed clear genetic differentiation between the 'polluted, high-stress' nearshore site and the 'less polluted, lower-stress' offshore site. To understand the driving force of the observed genetic partitioning, reciprocal transplant and common-garden experiments were conducted to assess phenotypic differences between these two populations. Physiological responses differed significantly between the populations, revealing more stress-resilient traits in the nearshore corals. Changes in protein profiles highlighted the inherent differences in the cellular metabolic processes and activities between the two; nearshore corals did not significantly alter their proteome between the sites, while offshore corals responded to nearshore transplantation with increased abundances of proteins associated with detoxification, antioxidant defense, and regulation of cellular metabolic processes. The response differences across multiple phenotypes between the populations suggest local adaptation of nearshore corals to reduced water quality. Our results provide insight into coral’s adaptive potential and its underlying processes, and reveal potential protein biomarkers that could be used to predict resiliency.
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50
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Liang Y, Yu K, Pan Z, Qin Z, Liao Z, Chen B, Huang X, Xu L. Intergeneric and geomorphological variations in Symbiodiniaceae densities of reef-building corals in an isolated atoll, central South China Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 163:111946. [PMID: 33360728 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111946] [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: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The healthy status of corals in the isolated atolls of the central South China Sea (SCS) remains unclear. Symbiodiniaceae density (SD) can effectively reflect the thermal tolerance and health of hard corals. Here, the SDs of 238 samples from the Huangyan Atoll (HA) were analyzed. The results revealed significantly intergeneric and geomorphological differences in SD. Intergeneric variation may reflect that corals with high SD have stronger thermal tolerance. Geomorphic analysis showed that the SDs at the outer reef slope were higher than in the lagoon. Hydrodynamics and sea surface temperature were likely the main influencing factors. Most notably, corals in SCS HA had higher SDs than those at neighboring reefs, indicating that their thermal tolerance were strong, which may be related to HA's local upwelling. These results suggest that the HA has the potential to serve as a refuge for corals, but increasing human disturbance limit its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Liang
- Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, China.
| | - Ziliang Pan
- Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhenjun Qin
- Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhiheng Liao
- Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xueyong Huang
- Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China; School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lijia Xu
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of PRC, Guangzhou 510530, China
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