A 30-Year Study of Coral Abundance, Recruitment, and Disturbance at Several Scales in Space and Time

Connell, Joseph H.; Hughes, Terence P.; Wallace, Carden C.

doi:10.1890/0012-9615(1997)067[0461:aysoca]2.0.co;2

Cited by 627 publications

(410 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…This highlights an important concern for relatively remote near-shore coral reefs that are in areas that currently experience more natural levels of terrestrial runoff. Extreme weather events are becoming more common, and if reefs are not given sufficient time to recover between disturbances, they are likely to lose their ability to withstand even moderate disturbances (Connell et al 1997;Coumou & Rahmstorf 2012). Chronic exposure of coral reefs to increased levels of pollutants, sedimentation, and turbidity may lead to mediumand long-term impacts such as reduced densities of juvenile corals, subsequent changes in community composition, decreased species richness, and shifts to communities that are dominated by more resilient coral species and macro-algae (Edinger et al 1998;Wiedenmann et al 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of reduced water quality on coral reefs in and out of no‐take marine reserves

Wenger

Williamson

Silva

et al. 2015

Conservation Biology

102

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Near-shore marine environments are increasingly subjected to reduced water quality, and their ability to withstand it is critical to their persistence. The potential role marine reserves may play in mitigating the effects of reduced water quality has received little attention. We investigated the spatial and temporal variability in live coral and macro-algal cover and water quality during moderate and major flooding events of the Fitzroy River within the Keppel Bay region of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from 2007 to 2013. We used 7 years of remote sensing data on water quality and data from long-term monitoring of coral reefs to quantify exposure of coral reefs to flood plumes. We used a distance linear model to partition the contribution of abiotic and biotic factors, including zoning, as drivers of the observed changes in coral and macro-algae cover. Moderate flood plumes from 2007 to 2009 did not affect coral cover on reefs in the Keppel Islands, suggesting the reef has intrinsic resistance against short-term exposure to reduced water quality. However, from 2009 to 2013, live coral cover declined by ∼ 50% following several weeks of exposure to turbid, low salinity water from major flood plume events in 2011 and subsequent moderate events in 2012 and 2013. Although the flooding events in 2012 and 2013 were smaller than the flooding events between 2007 to 2009, the ability of the reefs to withstand these moderate floods was lost, as evidenced by a ∼ 20% decline in coral cover between 2011 to 2013. Although zoning (no-take reserve or fished) was identified a significant driver of coral cover, we recorded consistently lower coral cover on reserve reefs than on fished reefs throughout the study period and significantly lower cover in 2011. Our findings suggest that even reefs with an inherent resistance to reduced water quality are not able to withstand repeated disturbance events. The limitations of reserves in mitigating the effects of reduced water quality on near-shore coral reefs underscores the importance of integrated management approaches that combine effective land-based management with networks of no-take reserves.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of reduced water quality on coral reefs in and out of no‐take marine reserves

Wenger

Williamson

Silva

et al. 2015

Conservation Biology

102

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In extreme cases, coral assemblages may never regain their initial structure, even where overall coral cover returns to pre-disturbance levels [197], owing to fundamental shifts in community dynamics. Completely denuded reefs also recover much more slowly than reefs in which at least some corals survive to grow and reproduce [198,199]. Moreover, it is increasingly apparent that major disturbances are occurring too frequently to allow for recovery of coral assemblages in the intervening period [9].…”

Section: Question 1 (Effects On Communities and Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thirty Years of Research on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (1986–2016): Scientific Advances and Emerging Opportunities

et al. 2017

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Abstract:Research on the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) has waxed and waned over the last few decades, mostly in response to population outbreaks at specific locations. This review considers advances in our understanding of the biology and ecology of CoTS based on the resurgence of research interest, which culminated in this current special issue on the Biology, Ecology and Management of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish. More specifically, this review considers progress in addressing 41 specific research questions posed in a seminal review by P. Moran 30 years ago, as well as exploring new directions for CoTS research. Despite the plethora of research on CoTS (>1200 research articles), there are persistent knowledge gaps that constrain effective management of outbreaks. Although directly addressing some of these questions will be extremely difficult, there have been considerable advances in understanding the biology of CoTS, if not the proximate and ultimate cause(s) of outbreaks. Moving forward, researchers need to embrace new technologies and opportunities to advance our understanding of CoTS biology and behavior, focusing on key questions that will improve effectiveness of management in reducing the frequency and likelihood of outbreaks, if not preventing them altogether.

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“…Like many marine invertebrates, adult corals are sessile and rely on larval transport for dispersal and population persistence (Shanks et al, 2003;Burgess et al, 2014). Consequently, the recovery of coral populations following disturbance is often dependent on recruitment of larvae from elsewhere (Connell et al, 1997;Hughes & Tanner, 2000). Understanding the potential for larval dispersal between reefs is important for predicting reef resilience.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connectivity between submerged and near‐sea‐surface coral reefs: can submerged reef populations act as refuges?

et al. 2015

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Aim Connectivity is a key determinant of coral reef resilience. However, connectivity models rarely account for deep or submerged reefs, despite their widespread occurrence in many coral reef provinces. Here, we model coral larval connectivity among submerged and near‐sea‐surface (NSS) reefs, investigate differences in dispersal potential for coral larvae from these differing reef morphologies and estimate the potential for deeper reef habitats (> 10 m) to provide a source of larvae to shallower reef habitats (< 10 m). Location Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Methods We used two newly developed, high‐resolution models to identify the location and spatial extent of submerged and NSS reefs and to simulate oceanographic currents (‘SLIM’) affecting larval dispersal. Dispersal patterns for five depth‐generalist coral species with differing life histories and dispersal potential were modelled using an individual‐based model (IBM). Results Near‐sea‐surface reefs were the largest source of larvae successfully settling, but submerged reefs exported a greater proportion of larvae per unit area to other reefs. Larvae originating from submerged reefs also dispersed greater distances. Recruits on shallow‐water reef habitats primarily originated from other shallow areas, but two‐way connectivity did occur between deep and shallow habitats. Empirical data indicate that long‐term coral cover has declined most steeply on the shallow habitats predicted by our model to be highly dependent on other shallow habitats for recruits. Main conclusions Submerged reefs may contribute significantly to larval production and should therefore be considered in connectivity analyses. The hydrodynamic environment on submerged reefs results in larvae dispersing greater distances, potentially increasing their importance as source reefs following disturbances. Deep reef habitats are generally less exposed to disturbances and could therefore constitute an important larval source to some shallow habitats following disturbances. Given the importance of connectivity to coral reef resilience, greater attention should be afforded to identifying and protecting submerged reefs and other deeper habitats.

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A 30-Year Study of Coral Abundance, Recruitment, and Disturbance at Several Scales in Space and Time

Cited by 627 publications

References 74 publications

Effects of reduced water quality on coral reefs in and out of no‐take marine reserves

Effects of reduced water quality on coral reefs in and out of no‐take marine reserves

Thirty Years of Research on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (1986–2016): Scientific Advances and Emerging Opportunities

Connectivity between submerged and near‐sea‐surface coral reefs: can submerged reef populations act as refuges?

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