Interactions between corals and algae on a temperate zone rocky reef: mediation by sea urchins

Evaluating coral reef benthic communities in remote atolls (Quitasueno, Serrana, and Roncador Banks) to recommend marine-protected areas for the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve

“…Besides, during 1988 hurricane 'Joan' had affected this area and Acropora species have declined abruptly in the coral reefs of San Andres . Particularly, the urchin mortality associated with the Caribbean-wide die-off in 1983-84 provoked algae blooms with the further loss of coral cover in many areas due to competition and suffocation by algae (e.g., Hughes et al, 1987;Hughes, 1989Hughes, , 1994Coyer et al, 1993). An important part of the benthic community in the Northern Cays was indeed dominated by highly opportunistic algae such as Lobophora variegata and Dictyota spp.…”

Assemblages of sessile marine invertebrates:still changing after all these years?

“…Sebens 1985). There have been many studies of ecological processes in such comn~unities (competition for space and food - Jack-son 1977, Buss &Jackson 1979, Kay & Keough 1981, Okamura 1988, McKinney 1992predation-Russ 1980, Osman et al 1992; substratum sizeConnell & Keough 1985, Butler 1991; and interactions amongst such factorsà 'Keoug 1984b, Sebens 1985, Chernoff 1987, Butler & Chesson 1990, Coyer et al, 1993, of their recruitment, initial development and short-term dynamics (Osman 1977, Anger 1978, Sutherland 1981, Schmidt & Warner 1984, Olson 1985, Davis 1987, Osman et al 1989, 1992, some observations of the longer-term dynamics of established assemblages (Svane & Lundalv 1981, Christie 1983, and certainly much written about relevant theory (Sutherland 1974, Karlson &Jackson 1981, Karlson & Buss 1984, Karlson 1985, Butler & Chesson 1990. There have, however, been few opportunities both to observe the establishment of a fouling assemblage on large hard substrata and to follow its development over a long period.…”

The effects of water flow and sedimentation on interactions between massive Porites and algal turf

“…For example, most studies report bleached or dead corals in areas in contact with algae (Hughes 1989, Coyer et al 1993, Tanner 1995, reduced coral growth (Miller andHay 1996, Miller andHay 1998), or no effect of algae on coral survival (Tanner 1995). Some studies have demonstrated that corals can overgrow algae (Bak et al 1977, McCook 2001 and in some cases algae can provide a settlement cue and induce metamorphosis of coral larvae (Heyward and Negri 1999).…”