Ecology of the Murray Island Coral Reef

Mayer, Alfred Goldsborough

doi:10.1073/pnas.1.4.211

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…Considerable attention has been paid to shallow-water coral associations since the first half of this century (Duerden, 1902;Mayer, 1918;Umbgrove, 1939). Detailed investigations at depths down to 20 m became possible only through the use of autonomous diving apparatus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and ecology of deep-water coral associations

Kühlmann

1983

Helgolander Meeresunters

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Between 1966 and 1978 SCUBA investigations were carried out in French Polynesia, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean, at depths down to 70 m. Although there are fewer coral species in the Caribbean, the abundance of Scleractinia in deep-water associations below 20 m almost equals that in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The assemblages of corals living there are described and defined as deep-water coral associations. They are characterized by large, flattened growth forms. Only 6 to 7 % of the species occur exclusively below 20 m. More than 90 % of the corals recorded in deep waters also live in shallow regions. Depth-related illumination is not responsible for depth differentiations of coral associations, but very likely, a complex of mechanical factors, such as hydrodynamic conditions, substrate conditions, sedimentation etc. However, light intensity determines the general distribution of hermatypic Scleractinia in their bathymetric range as well as the platelike shape of coral colonies characteristic for deep water associations. Depending on mechani-

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and ecology of deep-water coral associations

Kühlmann

1983

Helgolander Meeresunters

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“…Since then, research has focused on identifying coral self-cleaning mechanisms, e.g. mucus secretion, ciliary action and polyp movement (Marshall and Orr 1931, Hubbard and Pocock 1972, Bak and Elgershuizen 1976, and measuring survival time of corals buried under a thick layer of mud (Mayer 1918, Edmondson 1928, Marshall and Orr 1931, Rice 1985. Sedi-* Present address: Asia Technology, GPO 160, Hong Kong mentation-tolerance tests (as opposed to burial) have been conducted with 11 of the approximately 90 Atlantic coral species (Kolehmainen 1974, Rogers 1977, 1979, Rice 1985 and 12 of the approximately 500 Indo-Pacific species (Mayor 1924, Edmondson 1928, Marshall and Orr 1931, Parnrong and Chansang 1986, but the cause of coral tissue death following sediment deposition is not known.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tetracycline reduces sedimentation damage to corals

Hodgson

1990

Mar. Biol.

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Sediment deposition on coral reefs occurs naturally and is also caused by man-made disturbances such as dredging; it can result in the death of scleractinian corals by an unknown mechanism. Sedimentation experiments with corals were carried out in E1 Nido, Northern Palawan, Philippines, in 1986, and in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii in 1988. Four species of Indo-Pacific reef corals (Oxypora glabra, Montipora verrucosa, Porites lobata, Pocillopora meandrina) were subjected to sedimentation tests with and without the antibiotic tetracycline to investigate the possible role of microorganisms in the process of sedimentation damage to corals. O. glabra, Porites lobata and Pocillopora meandrina were rapidly damaged and O. glabra was always killed by sedimentation. Montipora verrucosa was not injured and may be physiologically resistant to sedimentation damage. Tetracyclinetreated seawater reduced the rate of tissue necrosis and prevented colony mortality, suggesting that tetracycline-sensitive bacteria are involved in the process of tissue necrosis and may be partially responsible for coral mortality following sediment deposition.

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“…Although burial of corals generally leads to death after a number of hours (Mayer 1918, Marshall & Orr 1931, some species can withstand applications of large amounts of sediments in the laboratory (Edmondson 1929, Hubbard & Pocock 1972, Bak & Elgershuizen 1976, Lasker 1980 and in the field (Edmondson 1929, Marshal1 & Orr 1931, Lasker 1980, Rogers 1983. Corals h a i e a variety of mechanisms for coping with sediments including use of their tentacles and cilia, stomodeal distension through uptake of water, and entanglement of particles in mucus which later sloughs off the colony surface (Hubbard & Pocock 1972).…”

Section: Sedimentation Effects At the Organism Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of coral reefs and reef organisms to sedimentation

Rogers¹

1990

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

1,137

833

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Unprecedented development along tropical shorelines is causing severe degradation of coral reefs primarily from increases in sedimentation. Sediment particles smother reef organisms and reduce light available for photosynthesis. Excessive sedmentation can adversely affect the structure and function of the coral reef ecosystem by altering both physical and biological processes. Mean sediment rates and suspended sediment concentrations for reefs not subject to stresses from human activities are < 1 to ca 10 mg cm-* d-' and < 10 mg I-', respectively. Chronic rates and concentrations above these values are 'hlgh'. Heavy sedmentation is associated with fewer coral species, less live coral, lower coral growth rates, greater abundance of branching forms, reduced coral recruitment, decreased calcification, decreased net productivity of corals, and slower rates of reef accretion. Coral species have different capabilities of clearing themselves of sediment particles or surviving lower light levels. Sedlment rejection is a function of morphology, orientation, growth habit, and behavior; and of the amount and type of s e l m e n t . Coral growth rates are not simple indicators of sediment levels. Decline of tropical fisheries is partially attributable to deterioration of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves from sedimentation. Sedimentation can alter the complex interactions between fish and their reef habitat. For example, sedimentation can lull major reef-building corals, leading to eventual collapse of the reef framework. A decline in the amount of shelter the reef provides leads to reductions in both number of individuals and number of species of fish. Currently, we are unable to rigorously predict the responses of coral reefs and reef organisms to excessive sedimentation from coastal development and other sources. Given information on the amount of sediment which will be introduced into the reef environment, the coral community composition, the depth of the reef, the percent coral cover, and the current patterns, we should be able to predict the consequences of a particular activity. Models of physical processes (e.g. sediment transport) must be complemented with better understanding of organism and ecosystem responses to sediment stress. Specifically, we need data on the threshold levels for reef orgarusms and for the reef ecosystem as a whole -the levels above which sedimentation has lethal effects for particular species and above which normal functioning of the reef ceases. Additional field studies on the responses of reef organisms to both temgenous and calcium carbonate sediments are necessary. To effectively assess trends on coral reefs, e.g. changes in abundance and spatial arrangement of dominant benthic organisms, scientists must start using standardized monitoring methods. Long-term data sets are critical for tracking these complex ecosystems.

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Ecology of the Murray Island Coral Reef

Cited by 22 publications

References 0 publications

Composition and ecology of deep-water coral associations

Composition and ecology of deep-water coral associations

Tetracycline reduces sedimentation damage to corals

Responses of coral reefs and reef organisms to sedimentation

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