Tropical seaweed beds are important habitats for mobile invertebrate epifauna

Tano, Stina; Eggertsen, Maria; Wikström, Sofia A.; Berkström, Charlotte; Buriyo, Amelia S.; Halling, Christina

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2016.10.010

Cited by 53 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…Sargassum and other macroalgae with complex canopies can host a wide diversity and abundance of invertebrate epifauna, which in turn support the growth and reproductive output of carnivorous fishes that target these epifaunal prey (Edgar & Aoki, ; Wenger et al, ). Indeed, macroalgal reefs appear to host a greater diversity and higher standing biomass of epifauna than either tropical seagrass (Tano et al, ) or the EAM (e.g., crustacea; Kramer, Bellwood, & Bellwood, ), which is likely due to the higher (volumetric) capacity for canopy‐forming macroalgae to support epifauna than other types of smaller macrophyte host (Wenger et al, ). This means canopy‐forming macroalgae can support secondary productivity an order of magnitude higher than EAM or many other types of subtidal microhabitat, with the exception of dead coral heads that may also provide complex “canopy” habitat for epifauna (Edgar, ; Edgar & Aoki, ; Kramer et al, ).…”

Section: Ecosystem Functions and Services From Macroalgal Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The collapse of coral reef structural complexity is associated with a substantial loss of reef‐associated species (Graham & Nash, ; Rogers, Blanchard, & Mumby, ). Macroalgal habitats have similar functional relationships with their associated biota, where changes in canopy structure (density, cover, height) and composition are strong predictors of the abundance and diversity of key epifauna and nekton (Tano et al, ; Wenger et al, ; Wilson et al, ). While there appear to be relatively few macroalgal reef specialist fishes (Rossier & Kulbicki, ), many tropical reef fish taxa are supported as transients across macroalgal and coral reef habitats during ontogeny or foraging migrations (Figure ).…”

Section: Ecosystem Functions and Services From Macroalgal Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under these conditions, complex macroalgal reefs have developed across the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, where they typically comprise a mixture of canopy-forming (e.g., Sargassum and Turbinaria) and/ or understorey taxa (e.g., Dictyota and Lobophora) that provide microhabitats for a diversity and abundance of epifauna and nekton (Ateweberhan, Bruggemann, & Breeman, 2006;Rossier & Kulbicki, 2000;Tano et al, 2016). Such macroalgae-associated fauna also take advantage of the local productivity to fulfil their trophic requirements-either directly as herbivores or indirectly as carnivores exploiting secondary production (Edgar & Aoki, 1993;Lim, Wilson, Holmes, Noble, & Fulton, 2016;.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Form and function of tropical macroalgal reefs in the Anthropocene

et al. 2019

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Tropical reefs have been subjected to a range of anthropogenic pressures such as global climate change, overfishing and eutrophication that have raised questions about the prominence of macroalgae on tropical reefs, whether they pose a threat to biodiversity, and how they may influence the function of tropical marine ecosystems. We synthesise current understanding of the structure and function of tropical macroalgal reefs and how they may support various ecosystem goods and services. We then forecast how key stressors may alter the role of macroalgal reefs in tropical seascapes of the Anthropocene. High levels of primary productivity from tropical canopy macroalgae, which rivals that of other key producers (e.g., corals and turf algae), can be widely dispersed across tropical seascapes to provide a boost of secondary productivity in a range of biomes that include coral reefs, and support periodic harvests of macroalgal biomass for industrial and agricultural uses. Complex macroalgal reefs that comprise a mixture of canopy and understorey taxa can also provide key habitats for a diverse community of epifauna, as well as juvenile and adult fishes that are the basis for important tropical fisheries. Key macroalgal taxa (e.g., Sargassum) that form complex macroalgal reefs are likely to be sensitive to future climate change. Increases in maximum sea temperature, in particular, could depress biomass production and/or drive phenological shifts in canopy formation that will affect their capacity to support tropical marine ecosystems. Macroalgal reefs can support a suite of tropical marine ecosystem functions when embedded within an interconnected mosaic of habitat types. Habitat connectivity is, therefore, essential if we are to maintain tropical marine biodiversity alongside key ecosystem goods and services. Consequently, complex macroalgal reefs should be treated as a key ecological asset in strategies for the conservation and management of diverse tropical seascapes. A plain language summary is available for this article.

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Section: Ecosystem Functions and Services From Macroalgal Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecosystem Functions and Services From Macroalgal Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Form and function of tropical macroalgal reefs in the Anthropocene

et al. 2019

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“…In moderate abundances, macroalgae contribute to reef biodiversity, providing food (Streit et al ) and habitat for numerous sessile and mobile invertebrates (Bolam & Fernandes ; Radulovich et al ), large herbivores like green turtles (Forbes ) and recruiting fish larvae (Wilson et al ; Evans et al ). Seaweed beds host a diverse epifauna (Martin‐Smith ; Roff et al ; Tano et al ), which attracts a wide variety of carnivorous fishes (Chaves et al ; Tano et al ).…”

Section: Biology Of Macroalgae On Coral Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rehabilitation of coral reefs through removal of macroalgae: state of knowledge and considerations for management and implementation

Ceccarelli

Loffler

Bourne

et al. 2018

Restoration Ecology

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Coral reef ecosystems are under increasing pressure by multiple stressors that degrade reef condition and function. Although improved management systems have yielded benefits in many regions, broad‐scale declines continue and additional practical and effective solutions for reef conservation and management are urgently needed. Ecological interventions to assist or enhance ecosystem recovery are standard practice in many terrestrial management regimes, and they are now increasingly being implemented in the marine environment. Intervention activities in coral reef systems include the control of coral predators (e.g. crown‐of‐thorns starfish), substrate modification, the creation of artificial habitats and the cultivation, transplantation, and assisted recruitment of corals. On many coastal reefs, corals face competition and overgrowth by fleshy macroalgae whose abundance may be elevated due to acute disturbance events, chronic nutrient enrichment, and reduced herbivory. Active macroalgae removal has been proposed and trialed as a management tool to reduce competition between algae and corals and provide space for coral recruitment, in the hope of restoring the spatial dominance of habitat‐forming corals. However, macroalgae removal has received little formal attention as a method of reef restoration. This review synthesizes available knowledge of the ecological role of macroalgae on coral reefs and the potential benefits and risks associated with their active removal.

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“…Bersama dengan lamun, makroalga membentuk habitat yang produktif untuk hidup dan berlindung berbagai jenis organisme laut (Tomascick et al , 1997). Tano et al, (2016), Eggertsten et al (2017), dan Sureda et al (2017) menjelaskan bahwa asosiasi antara makroalga dan lamun banyak mempunyai fungsi ekologis yang sangat penting, yaitu sebagai daerah asuhan dan mencari makan bagi berbagai jenis orgnisme laut dan untuk menjaga kelestarian dan keseimbangan keanekaragamanya. Berbagai jenis juvenil ikan yang mempunyai nilai ekonomi penting banyak memanfaatkan habitat tersebut untuk berlindung dan mencari makan.…”

Section: Pendahuluanunclassified