Patterns of Species Diversity on Coral Reefs

Huston, M.

doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.16.1.149

Cited by 39 publications

(39 citation statements)

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“…In general terms, spur and grooves biotope showed less variability while terrace edge was the most variable when considering all of the indicators. Huston (1985) found a diversity pattern in reefs near Eilat in the Red Sea similar to those obtained in our research. However, no clear trends could be found among indicators, species and groups of species.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

High spatial variability of coral, sponges and gorgonian assemblages in a well preserved reef

González‐Díaz¹,

González-Sansón²,

Fernández³

et al. 2009

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Abstract:The main goal of this research was to obtain baseline field data of the composition of sponges, corals, and gorgonian assemblages that can be used as a reference for future analyses of anthropogenic impact. We tested the hypothesis that relatively homogeneous and well preserved reef units can present notable natural variability in the composition of their communities which are unassociated with changes in land proximity or a human impact gradient. Research was carried out in July 2006 at Los Colorados reef, located in the northwestern region of Pinar del Río Province, Cuba at 12 sampling stations. The biotopes selected were crest, terrace edge and spur and grove. Ecological indicators were diversity of corals, species composition, density of corals, hydrocorals, gorgonians and sponges, and density of selected coral species. A total of 2659 colonies of scleractineans corals representing 36 species were counted. The most abundant species in the crest biotope were Millepora alcicornis, Acropora palmata and Porites astreoides; in the terrace edge and spur and grove, the most abundant species were Siderastrea siderea, Stephanocoenia intersepta, Porites astreoides, Agaricia agaricites and Montastraea cavernosa. We found differences among sites for several indicators (e.g. density of corals, sponges and gorgonians and for selected species), but they could not be associated to any gradient of land influence or human impact. Therefore, sites inside a relatively homogeneous reef unit can present notable natural differences in the composition of their communities. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (2): 621-634. Epub 2010 June 02.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

High spatial variability of coral, sponges and gorgonian assemblages in a well preserved reef

González‐Díaz¹,

González-Sansón²,

Fernández³

et al. 2009

RBT

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“…For example, wave energy regulates community structure on the west coast of Hawaii, by selecting against less wave-tolerant coral species (Dollar 1982); but more subtly, the energy regime is inversely related to intra-specific genetic diversity, a consequence of differential breakage and clone propagation (Hunter 1993). The dynamics and recovery processes of coral communities are complex because reefs are subjected to a variety of disturbances that vary in intensity, frequency and duration (Pearson 1981;Huston 1985;Done 1987;Hughes 1989;Karlson and Hurd 1993;Tomascik et al 1996). Recovery from major disturbances ranges anywhere from five to hundreds of years, depending on the type of disturbance, the initial conditions and the type of coral community that was impacted (Pearson 1981;Colgan 1987;Endean et al 1989;Done et al 1991;Dollar and Tribble 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Palau’s coral reefs show differential habitat recovery following the 1998-bleaching event

et al. 2007

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Documenting successional dynamics of coral communities following large-scale bleaching events is necessary to predict coral population responses to global climate change. In 1998, high sea surface temperatures and low cloud cover in the western Pacific Ocean caused high coral mortality on the outer exposed reefs of Palau (Micronesia), while coral mortality in sheltered bays was low. Recovery was examined from 2001 to 2005 at 13 sites stratified by habitat (outer reefs, patch reefs and bays) and depth (3 and 10 m). Two hypotheses were tested: (1) rates of change of coral cover vary in accordance with habitat, and (2) recovery rates depend on recruitment. Coral cover increased most in the sheltered bays, despite a low recruitment rate, suggesting that recovery in bays was primarily a consequence of remnant regrowth. Recruitment densities were consistently high on the wave-exposed reefs, particularly the western slopes, where recovery was attributed to both recruitment and regrowth of remnants. Recovery was initially more rapid at 10 m than 3 m on outer reefs, but in 2004, recovery rates were similar at both depths. Rapid recovery was possible because Palau's coral reefs were buffered by remnant survival and recruitment from the less impacted habitats.

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“…This is due to the propensity of intermediate disturbances to slow down the competitive exclusion, occasionally opening new spaces for colonization (CONNEL, 1978). In addition, natural disturbances have induced the fragmentation and presence of different successional stages, increasing the diversity and availability of microhabitats and consequently the number of species (HUSTON, 1985;CHESSON, 1997;JONES;SYMS, 1998). While microhabitat diversity has not been assessed in this study it is believed that the four rocky shores studied present differences in the frequency not only of natural disturbance (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Community structure of shallow rocky shore fish in a tropical bay of the southwestern Atlantic

et al. 2015

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Southwestern Atlantic Ocean rocky shores sustain important reef fish communities. However, those communities in tropical regions are not well understood, especially in Brazil. In this present article we assess community parameters of reef fishes such as composition, trophic organization and their relationships with physical and biological factors on four tropical rocky shores in Todos os Santos Bay, southwestern Atlantic. During six months, a total of 80 visual censuses were performed, in which 3,582 fish belonging to 76 species were recorded. Territorial herbivorous fish and turf algae were dominant at all the sites. The spatial variability of fish community structure was related to the benthic cover composition and depth. The high abundance of territorial herbivores and mobile invertebrate feeders could be associated with high levels of turf cover, low wave exposure and shallow waters. Moreover, this fact could be a consequence of the low density of roving herbivores and large carnivores probably due to the pressure of intense fishing activity. Thus complementary studies are needed to evaluate the actual conservation status of these rocky shore reefs, singularly located habitats connecting inner and outer reefs in Todos os Santos Bay.

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Patterns of Species Diversity on Coral Reefs

Cited by 39 publications

References 0 publications

High spatial variability of coral, sponges and gorgonian assemblages in a well preserved reef

High spatial variability of coral, sponges and gorgonian assemblages in a well preserved reef

Palau’s coral reefs show differential habitat recovery following the 1998-bleaching event

Community structure of shallow rocky shore fish in a tropical bay of the southwestern Atlantic

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