The biology and ecology of coral rubble and implications for the future of coral reefs

Wolfe, Kennedy; Kenyon, Tania M.; Mumby, Peter J.

doi:10.1007/s00338-021-02185-9

Cited by 49 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 514 publications

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“…Thus, the small changes in benthic cover captured by the numerical analyses (i.e., colonization of coral, sponges and algae and the increase in the rubble-to-sand ratio) might have contributed to the observed reef fish abundance in 2021. A rubble field can also host a great density and diversity of sessile and motile cryptofauna including ascidians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, crustaceans and polychaetes, and some invertivorous reef fishes (e.g., labrids, mullids and lutjanids) are often observed in association with rubble beds [19]. During the survey in 2019, a large number of dead gastropod shells were observed at the site (K.H.P personal observation), which could suggest the mortality of cryptic invertebrates due to the physical forces of the hurricane and sedimentation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underwater Photogrammetry Captures the Initial Recovery of a Coral Reef at Lalo Atoll

et al. 2022

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Recovery of coral reefs after physical damage sustained from storm events can be affected by various factors. Here, we examined the initial recovery of a coral reef at the southern end of uninhabited Lalo Atoll of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument after its complete destruction by Hurricane Walaka in 2018. While the site was still mostly (98%) covered by a mixture of rubble and sand, surveys utilizing underwater photogrammetry allowed for detailed quantitative assessments of benthic cover and confirmed colonization of coral (Pocillopora meandrina and Porites lobata), macroalgae and sponges. The proportion of sand in the rubble–sand mixture also decreased from the level observed in 2019. Visual fish surveys confirmed the presence of 35 reef fish species, a large increase from no reef fish in 2019, despite the low biotic benthic cover. Overall, the colonization of benthic organisms and the return of reef fish, which is potentially supported by the benthos and cryptofauna in the rubble bed, offer positive signs of reef recovery. The photogrammetric surveys in the present study captured the subtle changes in the benthic cover and provided us with a procedure to continue monitoring the succession of the site. Continuous monitoring of the site should reveal whether the reef returns to the original state of Acropora coral dominance or progresses towards a coral assemblage with a different composition.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underwater Photogrammetry Captures the Initial Recovery of a Coral Reef at Lalo Atoll

et al. 2022

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“…Disturbances that adversely affect live coral will play vital roles in the redesign of coral reef trophodynamics and ecosystem function. Results presented here highlight the importance of coral rubble in the total and long-term productivity of coral reef ecosystems, potentially supporting the food web after a disturbance has impacted healthy corals (Wolfe et al, 2021). Given the increasing frequency and severity of disturbances impacting coral reefs and causing global declines in live coral (Hughes, Anderson, et al, 2018), there is an emerging need to move beyond live coral cover as an indicator of ecosystem health and to quantify the contribution of habitats other than live coral to ecosystem productivity.…”

Section: Benthic Covermentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems-coral reefs-the majority of studies have targeted corals and reef fishes (Bellwood et al, 2017;Fisher et al, 2015;Przeslawski et al, 2008;Reaka-Kudla, 1997). Yet, animal species diversity in coral reefs is dominated by cryptic organisms (the cryptofauna) that take refuge inside the complexities of the reef matrix (Carvalho et al, 2019;Castro, 1988;Glynn & Enochs, 2011;Hutchings, 1983;Peyrot-Clausade, 1979;Plaisance et al, 2011;Wolfe et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional and phylogenetic responses of motile cryptofauna to habitat degradation

Stella

Wolfe

Roff

et al. 2022

Journal of Animal Ecology

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1. Biodiversity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, is dominated by small, often cryptic, invertebrate taxa that play important roles in ecosystem structure and functioning. While cryptofauna community structure is determined by strong small-scale microhabitat associations, the extent to which ecological and environmental factors shape these communities are largely unknown, as is the relative importance of particular microhabitats in supporting reef trophodynamics from the bottom up.2. The goal of this study was to address these knowledge gaps, provided coral reefs are increasingly exposed to multiple disturbances and environmental gradients that influence habitat complexity, condition and ecosystem functioning. 3. We compared the density, biomass, size range, phylogenetic diversity and functional roles of motile cryptofauna in Palau, Western Micronesia, among four coral-derived microhabitats representing various states of degradation (live coral [Acropora and Pocillopora], dead coral and coral rubble) from reefs along a gradient of effluent exposure.4. In total, 122 families across ten phyla were identified, dominated by the Arthropoda (Crustacea) and Mollusca. Cryptofauna biomass was greatest in live Pocillopora, while coral rubble contained the greatest density and diversity. Size ranges were broader in live corals than both dead coral and rubble. From a bottom-up perspective, effluent exposure had mixed effects on cryptic communities including a decline in total biomass in rubble. From a top-down perspective, cryptofauna were generally unaffected by predator biomass. 5. Our data show that, as coral reef ecosystems continue to decline in response to more frequent and severe disturbances, habitats other than live coral may become increasingly important in supporting coral reef biodiversity and food webs.

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“…For instance, at PB, coral rubble and sand where the most dominating substrates (Table 1). Coral rubble in particular, is tagged as a coral recruitment inhibitor and thus prevents the establishment of mature colonies, resulting in demographically unviable populations (Raymundo et al, 2007; Wolfe et al, 2021), and in the preponderance of a few taxa, that are able to reproduce and settle in such environments, such as solitary Fungia , foliose Pavona , massive Porites and Porites spp. (rus) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the leeward shore has been extensively developed (Figure 1A), supposedly resulting in physical degradation of adjacent coral reefs (Praveena et al, 2012), as well as untreated sewage discharge from nearby resorts, further pressuring leeward reef assemblages (Wooldridge et al, 2012; Reef Check Malaysia, 2019). Physical reef degradation may further result in larger quantities of mobile substrate (e.g., coral rubble) which impede natural reef recovery due to sedimentation and physical interference (Fox et al, 2019; Wolfe et al, 2021). Ultimately, there is a clear delineation of local site pressures with markedly higher negative anthropogenic impacts on leeward coral reefs, steering from the close proximity of leeward coral reefs to the source of the disturbance (e.g., beach resorts) and subsequent secondary impacts (Fisher et al, 2008).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colony size frequency distribution across gradients of reef health in disturbed coral reefs in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

Bernard¹,

Kellam²,

Szereday³

2022

Preprint

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Coral reefs globally are experiencing chronic stress leading to the deterioration of health and functionality. Analysis of size frequency distribution (SFD) of hard corals enables post hoc assessments of major demographic events (e.g., recruitment and mortality) that follow ecological disturbances. Here, we present an evaluation of current reef health, SFD and recruitment of 37 morpho-taxa in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia. Results highlight stress viable demographic structure of massive taxa (e.g., massive Porites) and significant differences of SFD across gradients of reef health, whereby degraded sites were predominantly characterized by negatively skewed (e.g., large colonies) and leptokurtic (e.g., high population turnover) distribution of dominant hard coral taxa. Ultimately, results suggest that locally coral reef degradation can exceed tipping points, after which annual monsoon conditions and degraded reef substrates interact to reinforce and manifest negative feedback loops, thereby impeding demographic recovery, and altering coral SFD and population assemblage.

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The biology and ecology of coral rubble and implications for the future of coral reefs

Cited by 49 publications

References 514 publications

Underwater Photogrammetry Captures the Initial Recovery of a Coral Reef at Lalo Atoll

Underwater Photogrammetry Captures the Initial Recovery of a Coral Reef at Lalo Atoll

Functional and phylogenetic responses of motile cryptofauna to habitat degradation

Colony size frequency distribution across gradients of reef health in disturbed coral reefs in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

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