Coral reef erosion: In situ measurement on different dead coral substrates on a Caribbean reef

Molina‐Hernández, Ana; Medellín‐Maldonado, Francisco; Lange, Ines D.; Perry, Chris T.; Álvarez‐Filip, Lorenzo

doi:10.1002/lno.12234

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…4). This is consistent with other observations of erosion following coral mortality (60)(61)(62)(63). Because predictions were based on existing relationships between live coral and rugosity in the Caribbean, these modeled reductions in rugosity following SCTLD are likely underestimates, as bioerosion will continue to lower rugosity, even without additional coral death.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Stony coral tissue loss disease indirectly alters reef communities

Swaminathan,

Lafferty,

Knight

et al. 2024

Sci. Adv.

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Many Caribbean coral reefs are near collapse due to various threats. An emerging threat, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), is spreading across the Western Atlantic and Caribbean. Data from the U.S. Virgin Islands reveal how SCTLD spread has reduced the abundance of susceptible coral and crustose coralline algae and increased cyanobacteria, fire coral, and macroalgae. A Caribbean-wide structural equation model demonstrates versatility in reef fish and associations with rugosity independent of live coral. Model projections suggest that some reef fishes will decline due to SCTLD, with the largest changes on reefs that lose the most susceptible corals and rugosity. Mapping these projected declines in space indicates how the indirect effects of SCTLD range from undetectable to devastating.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Stony coral tissue loss disease indirectly alters reef communities

Swaminathan,

Lafferty,

Knight

et al. 2024

Sci. Adv.

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“…Caution is needed, however, when comparing parrotfish erosion estimates derived from small experimental blocks made from one coral type ( Porites sp.) with those on natural reef surfaces, as likely differences in skeletal density, surface morphologies, and the age and composition of the organisms on experimental blocks vs. natural surfaces may result in different rates of grazing (Taylor et al 2020; Molina‐Hernández et al 2022). Nonetheless, the high rates of external erosion on blocks, combined with high estimates of parrotfish erosion and the positive correlation between these two estimates among sites ( r 2 = 0.49), supports the theory that grazing parrotfish were the dominant source of erosion at Ningaloo.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High rates of erosion on a wave‐exposed fringing coral reef

Thomson,

Dee,

Doropoulos

et al. 2024

Limnology & Oceanography

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Erosion is a key process in shaping the physical structure of coral reefs, yet due to erosion being semi‐cryptic and difficult to quantify, information remains limited. Here, we investigate erosional processes along Ningaloo Reef, an extensive fringing coral reef in Western Australia. We employed both direct and indirect methods to measure erosion in wave‐exposed reef slopes and protected lagoonal habitats. Direct measurements of erosion on coral blocks were among the highest found globally, with total erosion of 3.07 kg m−2 yr−1 (4% from micro, 0.6% from macro, and 94% from external), whilst indirect rates were estimated at 2.4 ± 0.20 kg m−2 yr−1 (78% from parrotfish, 22% from urchins). Indirect erosion rates were influenced by the species and size of parrotfish, with Chlorurus microrhinos removing 0.44 ± 0.19 kg m−2 yr−1 (22% of parrotfish erosion). Scanning electron microscopy and computed tomography show that micro and macroborer erosion contributions to direct erosion were low, most likely due to heavy grazing by parrotfish and the short deployment period of experimental substrates. A substantial portion of external erosion on blocks (0.53 ± 0.23 kg m−2 yr−1) could not be attributed to bioeroders and was poorly correlated with wave exposure, suggesting processes not quantified contribute to this unaccounted aspect of erosion. Our results confirm that bioerosion by parrotfish is especially significant at Ningaloo Reef, and large‐bodied individuals of C. microrhinos are key in conserving this key ecological process.

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“…Molina‐Hernández et al. (2022) investigated the impact of external bioerosion on recently deceased coral heads and found greater loss of substrate height on corals with lower density; the loss being attributed mostly to grazing by parrotfish. Conversely, some studies focusing on internal macroboring as a whole (e.g., by bivalves, worms, sponges) suggested that bioerosional damage to reef corals was positively correlated with skeletal density (Cosain‐Díaz et al., 2021; Hernández‐Ballesteros et al., 2013; Highsmith, 1981; Highsmith et al., 1983; Hutchings, 1986).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…quire the removal of a greater mass of material compared to more porous substrates Molina-Hernández et al (2022). investigated the impact of external bioerosion on recently deceased coral heads and found greater loss of substrate height on corals with lower density; the loss being attributed mostly to grazing by parrotfish.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rubble persistence under ocean acidification threatened by accelerated bioerosion and lower‐density coral skeletons

Webb,

Palacio‐Castro,

Cooke

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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As the balance between erosional and constructive processes on coral reefs tilts in favor of framework loss under human‐induced local and global change, many reef habitats worldwide degrade and flatten. The resultant generation of coral rubble and the beds they form can have lasting effects on reef communities and structural complexity, threatening the continuity of reef ecological functions and the services they provide. To comprehensively capture changing framework processes and predict their evolution in the context of climate change, heavily colonized rubble fragments were exposed to ocean acidification (OA) conditions for 55 days. Controlled diurnal pH oscillations were incorporated in the treatments to account for the known impact of diel carbonate chemistry fluctuations on calcification and dissolution response to OA. Scenarios included contemporary pH (8.05 ± 0.025 diel fluctuation), elevated OA (7.90 ± 0.025), and high OA (7.70 ± 0.025). We used a multifaceted approach, combining chemical flux analyses, mass alteration measurements, and computed tomography scanning images to measure total and chemical bioerosion, as well as chemically driven secondary calcification. Rates of net carbonate loss measured in the contemporary conditions (1.36 kg m−2 year−1) were high compared to literature and increased in OA scenarios (elevated: 1.84 kg m−2 year−1 and high: 1.59 kg m−2 year−1). The acceleration of these rates was driven by enhanced chemical dissolution and reduced secondary calcification. Further analysis revealed that the extent of these changes was contingent on the density of the coral skeleton, in which the micro‐ and macroborer communities reside. Findings indicated that increased mechanical bioerosion rates occurred in rubble with lower skeletal density, which is of note considering that corals form lower‐density skeletons under OA. These direct and indirect effects of OA on chemical and mechanical framework‐altering processes will influence the permanence of this crucial habitat, carrying implications for biodiversity and reef ecosystem function.

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Coral reef erosion: In situ measurement on different dead coral substrates on a Caribbean reef

Abstract: The version presented here may differ from the published version. If citing, you are advised to consult the published version for pagination, volume/issue and date of publication

Cited by 6 publications

References 85 publications

Stony coral tissue loss disease indirectly alters reef communities

Stony coral tissue loss disease indirectly alters reef communities

High rates of erosion on a wave‐exposed fringing coral reef

Rubble persistence under ocean acidification threatened by accelerated bioerosion and lower‐density coral skeletons

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