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Kahng SE, Odle E, Wakeman KC. Coral geometry and why it matters. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17037. [PMID: 38436029 PMCID: PMC10909345 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Clonal organisms like reef building corals exhibit a wide variety of colony morphologies and geometric shapes which can have many physiological and ecological implications. Colony geometry can dictate the relationship between dimensions of volume, surface area, and length, and their associated growth parameters. For calcifying organisms, there is the added dimension of two distinct components of growth, biomass production and calcification. For reef building coral, basic geometric shapes can be used to model the inherent mathematical relationships between various growth parameters and how colony geometry determines which relationships are size-dependent or size-independent. Coral linear extension rates have traditionally been assumed to be size-independent. However, even with a constant calcification rate, extension rates can vary as a function of colony size by virtue of its geometry. Whether the ratio between mass and surface area remains constant or changes with colony size is the determining factor. For some geometric shapes, the coupling of biomass production (proportional to surface area productivity) and calcification (proportional to volume) can cause one aspect of growth to geometrically constrain the other. The nature of this relationship contributes to a species' life history strategy and has important ecological implications. At one extreme, thin diameter branching corals can maximize growth in surface area and resource acquisition potential, but this geometry requires high biomass production to cover the fast growth in surface area. At the other extreme, growth in large, hemispheroidal corals can be constrained by calcification. These corals grow surface area relatively slowly, thereby retaining a surplus capacity for biomass production which can be allocated towards other anabolic processes. For hemispheroidal corals, the rate of surface area growth rapidly decreases as colony size increases. This ontogenetic relationship underlies the success of microfragmentation used to accelerate restoration of coral cover. However, ontogenetic changes in surface area productivity only applies to certain coral geometries where surface area to volume ratios decrease with colony size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E. Kahng
- Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
- Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Kikai Institute for Coral Reef Science, Kikai, Japan
| | - Eric Odle
- Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kevin C. Wakeman
- Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Lange ID, Molina-Hernández A, Medellín-Maldonado F, Perry CT, Álvarez-Filip L. Structure-from-motion photogrammetry demonstrates variability in coral growth within colonies and across habitats. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277546. [PMID: 36383546 PMCID: PMC9668137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral growth is an important metric of coral health and underpins reef-scale functional attributes such as structural complexity and calcium carbonate production. There persists, however, a paucity of growth data for most reef-building regions, especially for coral species whose skeletal architecture prevents the use of traditional methods such as coring and Alizarin staining. We used structure-from-motion photogrammetry to quantify a range of colony-scale growth metrics for six coral species in the Mexican Caribbean and present a newly developed workflow to measure colony volume change over time. Our results provide the first growth metrics for two species that are now major space occupiers on Caribbean reefs, Agaricia agaricites and Agaricia tenuifolia. We also document higher linear extension, volume increase and calcification rates within back reef compared to fore reef environments for four other common species: Orbicella faveolata, Porites astreoides, Siderastrea siderea and Pseudodiploria strigosa. Linear extension rates in our study were lower than those obtained via computed tomography (CT) scans of coral cores from the same sites, as the photogrammetry method averages growth in all dimensions, while the CT method depicts growth only along the main growth axis (upwards). The comparison of direct volume change versus potential volume increase calculated from linear extension emphasizes the importance of assessing whole colony growth to improve calcification estimates. The method presented here provides an approach that can generate accurate calcification estimates alongside a range of other whole-colony growth metrics in a non-invasive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines D. Lange
- Geography, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Ana Molina-Hernández
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Francisco Medellín-Maldonado
- Biodiversity and Reef Conservation Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Chris T. Perry
- Geography, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - 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, Quintana Roo, México
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Ng CSL, Chan YKS, Nguyen NTH, Kikuzawa YP, Sam SQ, Toh TC, Mock AYJ, Chou LM, Huang D. Coral community composition and carbonate production in an urbanized seascape. Mar Environ Res 2021; 168:105322. [PMID: 33857701 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Coastal urbanization causes environmental modifications that directly and indirectly influence the distribution and functioning of coral reefs. However, the capacity of urban infrastructure to support corals and vertically accrete is less understood. Here, we investigated if coral communities on reefs and seawalls in Singapore are distinct, and examined the environmental variables influencing coral carbonate production. Surveys at 22 sites yielded 134 coral species, with richness significantly higher on reefs. Coral cover and Shannon index did not differ between habitat types. Community composition was distinct between habitat types, with seawalls supporting a higher proportion of massive and thick-plating species. 'Distance from mainland' was the single most important variable influencing normalized carbonate production rates (a function of species-specific linear extension rate and skeletal bulk density and site coral cover), which were higher further from the mainland where human activity and development pressures were greater. Our results indicate that environmental filtering strongly shapes coral communities and may influence ecosystem functioning in Singapore's urbanized reef system. The findings will guide the management of reefs on increasingly urbanized coastlines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Soon Lionel Ng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore.
| | - Yong Kit Samuel Chan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
| | - Nhung Thi Hong Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
| | - Yuichi Preslie Kikuzawa
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore
| | - Shu Qin Sam
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore
| | - Tai Chong Toh
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore; College of Alice and Peter Tan, National University of Singapore, 8 College Avenue East, 138615, Singapore
| | - Aidan Yong Jie Mock
- Yale-NUS College, Environmental Studies, National University of Singapore, 16 College Avenue West, 138527, Singapore
| | - Loke Ming Chou
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore; Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
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Carlot J, Kayal M, Lenihan HS, Brandl SJ, Casey JM, Adjeroud M, Cardini U, Merciere A, Espiau B, Barneche DR, Rovere A, Hédouin L, Parravicini V. Juvenile corals underpin coral reef carbonate production after disturbance. Glob Chang Biol 2021; 27:2623-2632. [PMID: 33749949 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sea-level rise is predicted to cause major damage to tropical coastlines. While coral reefs can act as natural barriers for ocean waves, their protection hinges on the ability of scleractinian corals to produce enough calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) to keep up with rising sea levels. As a consequence of intensifying disturbances, coral communities are changing rapidly, potentially reducing community-level CaCO3 production. By combining colony-level physiology and long-term monitoring data, we show that reefs recovering from major disturbances can produce 40% more CaCO3 than currently estimated due to the disproportionate contribution of juvenile corals. However, the buffering effect of highly productive juvenile corals is compromised by recruitment failures, which have been more frequently observed after large-scale, repeated bleaching events. While the size structure of corals can bolster a critical ecological function on reefs, climate change impacts on recruitment may undermine this buffering effect, thus further compromising the persistence of reefs and their provision of important ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Carlot
- PSL Université Paris, USR 3278 CRIOBE - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Paris, France
| | - Mohsen Kayal
- ENTROPIE, IRD, Université de la Réunion, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Hunter S Lenihan
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Simon J Brandl
- PSL Université Paris, USR 3278 CRIOBE - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Paris, France
- CESAB - FRB, Montpellier, France
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX, USA
| | - Jordan M Casey
- PSL Université Paris, USR 3278 CRIOBE - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Paris, France
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX, USA
| | - Mehdi Adjeroud
- PSL Université Paris, USR 3278 CRIOBE - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Paris, France
- ENTROPIE, IRD, Université de la Réunion, CNRS, Perpignan, France
| | - Ulisse Cardini
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Napoli, Italy
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Alexandre Merciere
- PSL Université - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, French Polynesia
| | - Benoit Espiau
- PSL Université - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, French Polynesia
| | | | - Alessio Rovere
- Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM, Bremen, Germany
| | - Laetitia Hédouin
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Paris, France
- PSL Université - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, French Polynesia
| | - Valeriano Parravicini
- PSL Université Paris, USR 3278 CRIOBE - EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Paris, France
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Eggertsen L, Goodell W, Cordeiro CAMM, Mendes TC, Longo GO, Ferreira CEL, Berkström C. Seascape Configuration Leads to Spatially Uneven Delivery of Parrotfish Herbivory across a Western Indian Ocean Seascape. Diversity 2020; 12:434. [DOI: 10.3390/d12110434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Spatial configuration of habitat types in multihabitat seascapes influence ecological function through links of biotic and abiotic processes. These connections, for example export of organic matter or fishes as mobile links, define ecosystem functionality across broader spatial scales. Herbivory is an important ecological process linked to ecosystem resilience, but it is not clear how herbivory relates to seascape configuration. We studied how herbivory and bioerosion by 3 species of parrotfish were distributed in a multi-habitat tropical seascape in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). We surveyed the abundance of three species with different life histories—Leptoscarus vaigiensis (seagrass species), Scarus ghobban (juvenile-seagrass/adults-reefs) and Scarus rubroviolaceus (reef species) —in seagrass meadows and on reefs and recorded their selectivity of feeding substrate in the two habitats. Herbivory rates for L. vaigiensis and S. ghobban and bioerosion for S. rubroviolaceus were then modelled using bite rates for different size classes and abundance and biomass data along seascape gradients (distance to alternative habitat types such as land, mangrove and seagrass). Bioerosion by S. rubroviolaceus was greatest on reefs far from seagrass meadows, while herbivory rates by S. ghobban on reefs displayed the opposite pattern. Herbivory in seagrass meadows was greatest in meadows close to shore, where L. vaigiensis targeted seagrass leaves and S. ghobban the epiphytes growing on them. Our study shows that ecological functions performed by fish are not equally distributed in the seascape and are influenced by fish life history and the spatial configuration of habitats in the seascape. This has implications for the resilience of the system, in terms of spatial heterogeneity of herbivory and bioerosion and should be considered in marine spatial planning and fisheries management.
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Lange ID, Perry CT, Morgan KM, Roche R, Benkwitt CE, Graham NA. Site-Level Variation in Parrotfish Grazing and Bioerosion as a Function of Species-Specific Feeding Metrics. Diversity 2020; 12:379. [DOI: 10.3390/d12100379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Parrotfish provide important ecological functions on coral reefs, including the provision of new settlement space through grazing and the generation of sediment through bioerosion of reef substrate. Estimating these functions at an ecosystem level depends on accurately quantifying the functional impact of individuals, yet parrotfish feeding metrics are only available for a limited range of sites, species and size classes. We quantified bite rates, proportion of bites leaving scars and scar sizes in situ for the dominant excavator (Cetoscarus ocellatus, Chlorurus strongylocephalus, Ch. sordidus) and scraper species (Scarus rubroviolaceus, S. frenatus, S. niger, S. tricolor, S. scaber, S. psittacus) in the central Indian Ocean. This includes the first record of scar frequencies and sizes for the latter three species. Bite rates varied with species and life phase and decreased with body size. The proportion of bites leaving scars and scar sizes differed among species and increased with body size. Species-level allometric relationships between body size and each of these feeding metrics were used to parameterize annual individual grazing and bioerosion rates which increase non-linearly with body size. Large individuals of C. ocellatus, Ch. strongylocephalus and S. rubroviolaceus can graze 200–400 m2 and erode >500 kg of reef substrate annually. Smaller species graze 1–100 m2 yr−1 and erode 0.2–30 kg yr−1. We used these individual functional rates to quantify community grazing and bioerosion levels at 15 sites across the Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago. Although parrotfish density was 2.6 times higher on Maldivian reefs, average grazing (3.9 ± 1.4 m2 m−2 reef yr−1) and bioerosion levels (3.1 ± 1.2 kg m−2 reef yr−1) were about 15% lower than in the Chagos Archipelago (4.5 ± 2.3 and 3.7 ± 3.0, respectively), due to the dominance of small species and individuals in the Maldives (90% <30 cm length). This demonstrates that large-bodied species and individuals contribute disproportionally to both grazing and bioerosion. Across all sites, grazing increased by 66 ± 5 m2 ha−1 and bioerosion by 109 ± 9 kg ha−1 for every kg increase in parrotfish biomass. However, for a given level of parrotfish biomass, grazing and bioerosion levels were higher on Maldivian reefs than in the Chagos Archipelago. This suggests that small-bodied fish assemblages can maintain ecosystem functions, but only if key species are present in sufficiently high numbers.
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Courtney TA, Barnes BB, Chollett I, Elahi R, Gross K, Guest JR, Kuffner IB, Lenz EA, Nelson HR, Rogers CS, Toth LT, Andersson AJ. Disturbances drive changes in coral community assemblages and coral calcification capacity. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Travis A. Courtney
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
| | - Brian B. Barnes
- College of Marine Science University of South Florida St. Petersburg Florida 33701 USA
| | | | - Robin Elahi
- Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove California 93950 USA
| | - Kevin Gross
- Department of Statistics North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USA
| | - James R. Guest
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE17RU UK
| | - Ilsa B. Kuffner
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center St. Petersburg Florida 33701 USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Lenz
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology University of Hawai'i Kāne'ohe Hawai'i 96744 USA
| | - Hannah R. Nelson
- Department of Biology California State University Northridge California 91330 USA
| | - Caroline S. Rogers
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center St John U.S. Virgin Islands USA
| | - Lauren T. Toth
- U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center St. Petersburg Florida 33701 USA
| | - Andreas J. Andersson
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines D. Lange
- Geography College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UK
| | - Chris T. Perry
- Geography College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UK
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Burn D, Pratchett M, Heron S, Thompson C, Pratchett D, Hoey A. Limited Cross-Shelf Variation in the Growth of Three Branching Corals on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Diversity 2018; 10:122. [DOI: 10.3390/d10040122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pronounced differences exist in the biodiversity and structure of coral reef assemblages with increasing distance from shore, which may be expected given marked cross-shelf gradients in environmental conditions. Cross-shelf variation in the abundance of coral reef organisms is likely to be caused, at least in part, by differences in demography (e.g., growth and survival), though this has rarely been tested. This study quantified growth of three distinct branching coral taxa (Acropora nasuta, Pocillopora spp. and Stylophora pistillata) at six locations on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR), encompassing inshore, mid-shelf and outer-shelf reefs. Replicate colonies (0–15 colonies per species, per reef) were stained using Alizarin Red in December 2015 and retrieved one year later to quantify linear extension on replicate branches for each colony. Annual linear extension varied within and among coral taxa, with pronounced differences among reefs. For A. nasuta. and S. pistillata, growth rates were highest at one of the inshore reefs, Orpheus Island. However, inter-reef differences in linear extension were not explained by shelf position. Based on differences in skeletal density, which did vary according to shelf position, branching corals at the inshore sites may actually have higher rates of calcification compared to conspecifics on mid-and outer-shelf reefs. This study shows that growth of branching corals is not lower at inshore sites (and perhaps even higher) compared to sites at mid-shelf and outer reefs, despite generally higher levels of sedimentation and turbidity.
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Guest JR, Edmunds PJ, Gates RD, Kuffner IB, Andersson AJ, Barnes BB, Chollett I, Courtney TA, Elahi R, Gross K, Lenz EA, Mitarai S, Mumby PJ, Nelson HR, Parker BA, Putnam HM, Rogers CS, Toth LT. A framework for identifying and characterising coral reef “oases” against a backdrop of degradation. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James R. Guest
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i Kāneʻohe Hawaii
| | - Peter J. Edmunds
- Department of BiologyCalifornia State University Northridge California
| | - Ruth D. Gates
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i Kāneʻohe Hawaii
| | - Ilsa B. Kuffner
- U.S. Geological SurveySt. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Science Center St. Petersburg Florida
| | - Andreas J. Andersson
- Scripps Institution of OceanographyUniversity of California, San Diego La Jolla California
| | - Brian B. Barnes
- College of Marine ScienceUniversity of South Florida St Petersburg Florida
| | - Iliana Chollett
- Smithsonian Marine StationSmithsonian Institution Fort Pierce Florida
| | - Travis A. Courtney
- Scripps Institution of OceanographyUniversity of California, San Diego La Jolla California
| | - Robin Elahi
- Hopkins Marine StationStanford University Pacific Grove California
| | - Kevin Gross
- Biomathematics Graduate ProgramNorth Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina
| | - Elizabeth A. Lenz
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i Kāneʻohe Hawaii
| | - Satoshi Mitarai
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Okinawa Japan
| | - Peter J. Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology LabSchool of Biological Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Reef StudiesUniversity of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
| | - Hannah R. Nelson
- Department of BiologyCalifornia State University Northridge California
| | - Britt A. Parker
- The Baldwin Group, Inc. on Contract at the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Silver Spring Maryland
| | - Hollie M. Putnam
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Rhode Island Kingston Rhode Island
| | - Caroline S. Rogers
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center St John Virgin Islands
| | - Lauren T. Toth
- U.S. Geological SurveySt. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Science Center St. Petersburg Florida
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Dornelas M, Madin JS, Baird AH, Connolly SR. Allometric growth in reef-building corals. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.0053. [PMID: 28330923 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting demographic rates is a critical part of forecasting the future of ecosystems under global change. Here, we test if growth rates can be predicted from morphological traits for a highly diverse group of colonial symbiotic organisms: scleractinian corals. We ask whether growth is isometric or allometric among corals, and whether most variation in coral growth rates occurs at the level of the species or morphological group. We estimate growth as change in planar area for 11 species, across five morphological groups and over 5 years. We show that coral growth rates are best predicted from colony size and morphology rather than species. Coral size follows a power scaling law with a constant exponent of 0.91. Despite being colonial organisms, corals have consistent allometric scaling in growth. This consistency simplifies the task of projecting community responses to disturbance and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dornelas
- Centre for Biological Diversity, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Joshua S Madin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Andrew H Baird
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Sean R Connolly
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.,Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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Madin JS, Anderson KD, Andreasen MH, Bridge TC, Cairns SD, Connolly SR, Darling ES, Diaz M, Falster DS, Franklin EC, Gates RD, Hoogenboom MO, Huang D, Keith SA, Kosnik MA, Kuo CY, Lough JM, Lovelock CE, Luiz O, Martinelli J, Mizerek T, Pandolfi JM, Pochon X, Pratchett MS, Putnam HM, Roberts TE, Stat M, Wallace CC, Widman E, Baird AH. The Coral Trait Database, a curated database of trait information for coral species from the global oceans. Sci Data 2016; 3:160017. [PMID: 27023900 PMCID: PMC4810887 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2016.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Trait-based approaches advance ecological and evolutionary research because traits provide a strong link to an organism's function and fitness. Trait-based research might lead to a deeper understanding of the functions of, and services provided by, ecosystems, thereby improving management, which is vital in the current era of rapid environmental change. Coral reef scientists have long collected trait data for corals; however, these are difficult to access and often under-utilized in addressing large-scale questions. We present the Coral Trait Database initiative that aims to bring together physiological, morphological, ecological, phylogenetic and biogeographic trait information into a single repository. The database houses species- and individual-level data from published field and experimental studies alongside contextual data that provide important framing for analyses. In this data descriptor, we release data for 56 traits for 1547 species, and present a collaborative platform on which other trait data are being actively federated. Our overall goal is for the Coral Trait Database to become an open-source, community-led data clearinghouse that accelerates coral reef research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S. Madin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Kristen D. Anderson
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Magnus Heide Andreasen
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution & Climate, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Tom C.L. Bridge
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB #3, Townsville MC, Townsville 4810, Australia
| | - Stephen D. Cairns
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian, Washington, District Of Columbia 20013, USA
| | - Sean R. Connolly
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Emily S. Darling
- Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York 10460, USA
| | - Marcela Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Daniel S. Falster
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Erik C. Franklin
- University of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, USA
| | - Ruth D. Gates
- University of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, USA
| | - Mia O. Hoogenboom
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Sally A. Keith
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution & Climate, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Matthew A. Kosnik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Chao-Yang Kuo
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Janice M. Lough
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB #3, Townsville MC, Townsville 4810, Australia
| | - Catherine E. Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Osmar Luiz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Julieta Martinelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Toni Mizerek
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - John M. Pandolfi
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Xavier Pochon
- Environmental Technologies, Coastal & Freshwater Group, The Cawthron Institute, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Morgan S. Pratchett
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Hollie M. Putnam
- University of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, USA
| | - T. Edward Roberts
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Michael Stat
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Carden C. Wallace
- Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum Network, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Widman
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Andrew H. Baird
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia
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Ross CL, Falter JL, Schoepf V, McCulloch MT. Perennial growth of hermatypic corals at Rottnest Island, Western Australia (32°S). PeerJ 2015; 3:e781. [PMID: 25755921 PMCID: PMC4349054 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess the viability of high latitude environments as coral refugia, we report measurements of seasonal changes in seawater parameters (temperature, light, and carbonate chemistry) together with calcification rates for two coral species, Acropora yongei and Pocillopora damicornis from the southernmost geographical limit of these species at Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island (32°S) in Western Australia. Changes in buoyant weight were normalised to colony surface areas as determined from both X-ray computed tomography and geometric estimation. Extension rates for A. yongei averaged 51 ± 4 mm y(-1) and were comparable to rates reported for Acroporid coral at other tropical and high latitude locations. Mean rates of calcification for both A. yongei and P. damicornis in winter were comparable to both the preceding and following summers despite a mean seasonal temperature range of ∼6 °C (18.2°-24.3 °C) and more than two-fold changes in the intensity of downwelling light. Seasonal calcification rates for A. yongei (1.31-2.02 mg CaCO3 cm(-2) d(-1)) and P. damicornis (0.34-0.90 mg CaCO3 cm(-2) d(-1)) at Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island were comparable to rates from similar taxa in more tropical environments; however, they appeared to decline sharply once summer temperatures exceeded 23 °C. A coral bleaching event observed in December 2013 provided further evidence of how coral at Rottnest Island are still vulnerable to the deleterious effects of episodic warming despite its high latitude location. Thus, while corals at Rottnest Island can sustain robust year-round rates of coral growth, even over cool winter temperatures of 18°-19 °C, there may be limits on the extent that such environments can provide refuge against the longer term impacts of anthropogenic climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire L. Ross
- UWA School of Earth and Environment and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James L. Falter
- UWA School of Earth and Environment and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Verena Schoepf
- UWA School of Earth and Environment and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Malcolm T. McCulloch
- UWA School of Earth and Environment and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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