Review
Environmental Sciences
Baruch Rinkevich
Summary: The need to enhance the adaptive potential of corals in the face of unceasing climate change and anthropogenic impacts has led to the successful approach of 'coral gardening' for restoring degraded reefs. This method is structured within a hierarchical list of five encircling tiers, focusing on the nursery phase and including activities such as coral mariculture and ecological engineering. The key importance of adaptation-based reef restoration (ABRR), which includes phenotypic plasticity and assisted migration among other classes, is emphasized for enhancing coral adaptation to climate change.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oceanne-Amaya Cipolloni, Magalie Baudrimont, Benoit Simon-Bouhet, Emilie Pauline Dassie, Julien Gigault, Solene Connan, Pierre-Yves Pascal
Summary: This study examines the kinetics of metal trace elements (MTE) in Sargassum in different coastal environments. It found variations in MTE content and evolution rates among different habitats. The mangrove habitat showed the most rapid evolution of MTE, while Sargassum natans I had a different metal composition compared to other morphotypes. All Sargassum morphotypes rapidly release arsenic (As) when they reach coastal habitats. To prevent the transfer of As to coastal environments, the stranding of Sargassum should be avoided and the As content should be considered in its utilization.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Coline Monchanin, Rahul Mehrotra, Elouise Haskin, Chad M. Scott, Pau Urgell Plaza, Alyssa Allchurch, Spencer Arnold, Kirsty Magson, Bert W. Hoeksema
Summary: Research in Thailand's Koh Tao revealed significant differences in coral community structure between artificial and natural reefs, with diversity not solely explained by coral spawning dynamics. This suggests that these reefs play distinct ecological and functional roles in the marine environment.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard S. Appeldoorn, Bjorn L. K. Bouwmeester
Summary: Many coral reef fishes undergo ontogenetic migrations, and the connectivity between different habitats plays a crucial role in their spatio-temporal dynamics. This study focused on the ontogenetic movements of juvenile grunts in Puerto Rico, and found that small juveniles moved towards more exposed areas, while larger juveniles migrated along the coast. The direction of migration may be determined by the transfer of fish between resting schools rather than orientation cues.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joana Figueiredo, Christopher J. Thomas, Eric Deleersnijder, Jonathan Lambrechts, Andrew H. Baird, Sean R. Connolly, Emmanuel Hanert
Summary: The study demonstrates that a 2-degree Celsius warming will reduce the dispersal distance of coral larvae and connectivity between reefs, impacting coral reef recovery and the spread of warm-adapted genes.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kayla Cayemitte, Nadege Aoki, Sophie R. Ferguson, T. Aran Mooney, Amy Apprill
Summary: The settlement of coral larvae is crucial for the success and longevity of coral reefs. However, the proliferation of Ramicrusta sp., a red-brown encrusting alga, poses a serious threat to coral recruitment by overgrowing corals and causing high mortality rates in larvae compared to crustose coralline algae (CCA) and control groups.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peter L. Harrison, Dexter W. dela Cruz, Kerry A. Cameron, Patrick C. Cabaitan
Summary: Loss of foundation reef-corals is damaging reef communities globally, leading to a decline in ecosystem function. Active intervention and effective coral restoration techniques are needed to enhance coral recruitment and density. Enhancing larval supply significantly increases settlement on reefs, facilitating rapid re-establishment of breeding coral populations and enhancing fish abundance.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Shuting Qiu, Jillian Lean Sim Ooi, Weilin Chen, Sze-Wan Poong, Han Zhang, Weiyi He, Shangke Su, Hao Luo, Wenjia Hu, Yang Amri Affendi, Jianguo Du, Kar-Hoe Loh
Summary: The effective monitoring of fish communities is vital for marine ecosystem management. This study compared the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and traditional gillnet sampling to survey fish in a mangrove-seagrass-coral reef continuum. Both methods identified diverse fish communities in different habitats, suggesting some degree of connectivity. Although there were no significant differences in diversity between habitats, eDNA showed higher taxonomic diversity. Gillnet surveys performed better for distinguishing mangrove and seagrass assemblages. The concurrent use of eDNA and gillnet surveys provides a comprehensive approach to understanding fish diversity in this ecosystem.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Saint-Amand, Jonathan Lambrechts, Emmanuel Hanert
Summary: Estimating connectivity between coral reefs is essential for conservation efforts. Researchers assessed the impact of biophysical models resolution on connectivity estimates and found that higher resolution models produced more complex dispersal patterns with weaker connections. Fine-resolution models showed larger clusters of well-connected reefs and increased local retention. As a result, reef management recommendations should be made at scales coarser than the model resolution, not exceeding about 500 m.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauren T. Toth, Travis A. Courtney, Michael A. Colella, Rob R. Ruzicka
Summary: SCTLD has had an unprecedented impact on the western Atlantic coral-reef ecosystems, causing a decline in reef-accretion potential and altering the composition of coral assemblages. The loss of reef-building corals has significantly decreased carbonate production, leading to a decline in their capacity for growth.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. A. Abdul Wahab, S. Ferguson, V. K. Snekkevik, G. McCutchan, S. Jeong, A. Severati, C. J. Randall, A. P. Negri, G. Diaz-Pulido
Summary: This study tested the larval settlement responses of 15 coral species to 15 species of crustose coralline algae from the Great Barrier Reef. The results showed that CCA in the family Lithophyllaceae were the best inducers for most coral species. Taxonomic and habitat-specific associations were found, providing optimal coral-algal species pairings to increase the success of larval settlement for reef restoration.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Colleen Rodd, Steve Whalan, Craig Humphrey, Peter L. Harrison
Summary: Anthropogenic stressors have led to declines in reef-building corals. This study found that providing extra nutrients to coral larvae can increase settlement and survival rates, which is crucial for coral restoration.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Paige Strudwick, Justin Seymour, Emma F. Camp, John Edmondson, Trent Haydon, Lorna Howlett, Nine Le Reun, Nahcshon Siboni, David J. Suggett
Summary: The study found that different coral species exhibit distinct microbial responses during coral propagation and out-planting. Specifically, the bacterial community of A. millepora significantly changed within the nursery environment but returned to a similar composition as the source colonies after one month of out-planting. In contrast, the bacterial community of P. verrucosa remained stable throughout the experiment. These findings suggest that coral species have different microbial dynamics during propagation and out-planting.
Article
Ecology
Hillary A. Smith, Dylan A. Brown, Chaitanya Arjunwadkar, Stella E. Fulton, Taylor Whitman, Bambang Hermanto, Elissa Mastroianni, Neil Mattocks, Adam K. Smith, Peter L. Harrison, Lisa Bostrom-Einarsson, Ian M. McLeod, David G. Bourne
Summary: Removing macroalgae may be an effective intervention to boost recruitment and facilitate recovery on degraded tropical coral reefs.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Cher F. Y. Chow, Caitlin Bolton, Nader Boutros, Viviana Brambilla, Luisa Fontoura, Andrew S. S. Hoey, Joshua S. S. Madin, Oscar Pizarro, Damaris Torres-Pulliza, Rachael M. M. Woods, Kyle J. A. Zawada, Miguel Barbosa, Maria Dornelas
Summary: The process of coral recruitment is crucial to coral reef ecosystems. Fish can mediate this process by removing benthic competitors, but their foraging impacts can be either facilitative or harmful to coral recruits. Coral settlement and recruitment exhibit a negative relationship with foraging trait diversity, especially with trait divergence and richness in settlement. Our findings provide further evidence that fish play a role in making benthic habitats more conducive for coral settlement and recruitment, and fish biodiversity variation likely contributes to uneven patterns of coral recruitment and reef recovery.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jia-Yong Lao, Yuefei Ruan, Kenneth M. Y. Leung, Eddy Y. Zeng, Paul K. S. Lam
Summary: This comprehensive review examines the occurrence of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in various environments over the past decade and explores age-specific exposure to OPEs. The results suggest that dietary ingestion is the main exposure pathway, followed by dust ingestion. Exposure in schools/daycare centers and offices contributes significantly to OPE intake in non-adults and adults, respectively. Infants are the most vulnerable group, largely due to breast milk ingestion.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Magena R. Marzonie, Line K. Bay, David G. Bourne, Andrew S. Hoey, Samuel Matthews, Josephine J. Nielsen, Hugo B. Harrison
Summary: Scleractinian coral populations are facing increasing exposure to temperatures above their upper limits, leading to declines in coral reef ecosystem health. Variations in thermal tolerance exist among species, individual coral colonies, and populations. This study conducted heat stress experiments to assess heat tolerance across a large environmental gradient. The results showed variations in heat tolerance among species and within reefs, with mild heatwave exposure positively correlated with heat tolerance over the past 35 years, but recent severe heatwaves showing a negative relationship. These findings suggest that marine heatwaves are selecting for tolerant individuals and populations, but recent severe heatwaves may compromise this adaptive potential.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Sterling B. Tebbett, Samantha K. Crisp, Richard D. Evans, Christopher J. Fulton, Albert Pessarrodona, Thomas Wernberg, Shaun K. Wilson, David R. Bellwood
Summary: Different definitions of dominance can greatly influence the understanding of ecosystem shifts, as exemplified by coral reefs. Exclusion of crucial algal groups and variations in categorizing other benthic communities can alter perceptions of coral dominance and the detection of ecosystem phase shifts. Therefore, consensus on the application of dominance concepts is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem changes in aquatic and terrestrial settings.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Linjie Jin, Qi Wang, Meng Yan, Jiarui Gu, Kai Zhang, Paul K. S. Lam, Yuefei Ruan
Summary: This study reported for the first time the tissue-specific uptake and depuration kinetics of two pairs of pharmaceutical enantiomers, S-(-)-metoprolol versus R-(+)-metoprolol and S- (+)-venlafaxine versus R-(-)-venlafaxine, in marine medaka. The results showed a higher bioaccumulation potential of S-venlafaxine compared to R-venlafaxine, while there was no significant difference between S- and R-metoprolol. Furthermore, the main metabolites were identified, and the eyes were found to have the highest tissue-specific bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for all four enantiomers.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eriko Yamazaki, Heesoo Eun, Sachi Taniyasu, Toshihiro Sakamoto, Nobuyasu Hanari, Hideyuki Inui, Rongben Wu, Huiju Lin, Paul K. S. Lam, Jerzy Falandysz, Nobuyoshi Yamashita
Summary: This study investigated the accumulation of PFAS in rice and found that PFAS exists in atmospheric particles, rainwater, irrigated water, soil, and rice plants. PFAS primarily enter the paddy field through atmospheric particles, and rainfall is a significant source of irrigation water contamination. Although there were no major differences in the residual PFAS trends in different rice varieties, the distribution of PFAS in soil, air, and rainwater varied. These findings are important for the daily exposure assessment of PFAS in rice consumption by different populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qi Wang, Yuefei Ruan, Linjie Jin, Lily S. R. Tao, Han Lai, Guifeng Li, Leo W. Y. Yeung, Kenneth M. Y. Leung, Paul K. S. Lam
Summary: The ban/elimination of legacy PFASs has resulted in an increase in the production and use of emerging PFASs. However, the trophodynamics of these emerging PFASs in aquatic food webs are still not well understood. This study investigated the biomagnification potential of legacy and emerging PFASs in seawaters and marine organisms from the South China Sea. Significant trophic magnification was observed for 22 PFASs, including the first reported trophic magnification factors for certain PFASs. The presence of PFASs in seafood from the South China Sea suggests a potential human health risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qi Wang, Yuefei Ruan, Linjie Jin, Brian C. W. Kot, Kenneth Mei Yee Leung, Paul K. S. Lam
Summary: This study conducted target analysis and suspect screening of halogenated flameretardants (HFRs) and their metabolites in the blubber of stranded finless porpoises and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Hong Kong between 2013 and 2020. The concentrations of tetra-/penta-/hexa-bromodiphenyl ethers (tetra-/penta-/hexa-BDEs) in porpoises and dolphins decreased over time, possibly due to the phasing out of these chemicals in China. Positive correlation was found between the concentrations of tetra-BDE and Me-MeO-tetra-BDE, suggesting the potential metabolism of tetra-BDE as a source of Me-MeO-tetra-BDE in marine mammals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sara E. Cannon, Simon D. Donner, Angela Liu, Pedro Gonzalez C. Espinosa, Andrew H. Baird, Julia K. Baum, Andrew G. Bauman, Maria Beger, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Matthew J. Birt, Yannick Chancerelle, Joshua E. Cinner, Nicole L. Crane, Vianney Denis, Martial Depczynski, Nur Fadli, Douglas Fenner, Christopher J. Fulton, Yimnang Golbuu, Nicholas A. J. Graham, James Guest, Hugo B. Harrison, Jean-Paul A. Hobbs, Andrew S. Hoey, Thomas H. Holmes, Peter Houk, Fraser A. Januchowski-Hartley, Jamaluddin Jompa, Chao-Yang Kuo, Gino Valentino Limmon, Yuting V. Lin, Timothy R. McClanahan, Dominic Muenzel, Michelle J. Paddack, Serge Planes, Morgan S. Pratchett, Ben Radford, James Davis Reimer, Zoe T. Richards, Claire L. Ross, John Rulmal, Brigitte Sommer, Gareth J. Williams, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: Scientists and managers often assume a positive relationship between local human disturbance and macroalgae on coral reefs, but this study finds that specific macroalgae taxa may respond differently to human disturbance. By examining genus-level monitoring data, the study reveals that no genera were positively correlated with all human disturbance metrics, highlighting the need to consider specific algae divisions or genera in assessments. The convention of using macroalgae percent cover as an indicator of local human disturbance may overlook important signatures of anthropogenic threats to reefs.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mauricio F. Landaeta, Carola Hernandez-Santoro, Francesca Search, Manuel Castillo, Claudio Bernal, Sergio A. Navarrete, Evie A. Wieters, Ricardo Beldade, Ana Navarro Campoi, Alejandro Perez-Matus
Summary: This study examines the discarded demersal community fauna in the artisanal and industrial crustacean fisheries along the southern Humboldt Current System from 2014 to 2019. It analyzes spatio-temporal patterns, species composition, and assemblages, and investigates the factors influencing biodiversity. The results show variations in species composition, assemblage segregation by depth and geographic zone, and interannual variations of biodiversity. Surface sea temperature, chlorophyll-a, or wind stress were not correlated with biodiversity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia-Yong Lao, Shaopeng Xu, Kai Zhang, Huiju Lin, Yaru Cao, Rongben Wu, Danyang Tao, Yuefei Ruan, Kenneth Mei Yee Leung, Paul K. S. Lam
Summary: This study analyzed the concentrations of organophosphate esters (OPEs) and their transformation products (TPs) in urban stormwater and wastewater in Hong Kong. The results showed that OPEs and TPs have ecological impacts, and TPs may cause endocrine disruption in marine organisms. A novel framework integrating various factors has been proposed to assess and regulate the risks of these emerging contaminants in urban environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yachen Bai, Qi Wang, Jing Li, Bingsheng Zhou, Paul K. S. Lam, Chenyan Hu, Lianguo Chen
Summary: This study examined the influence of chemical speciation on the toxicity of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and found that PFAAs were generally more toxic than their corresponding pH control, while PFAA salts showed mild hazards. Fingerprinting the changes along the thyroidal axis demonstrated distinct modes of endocrine disruption for PFAAs and PFAA salts. Furthermore, biolayer interferometry monitoring revealed that PFAA acids bound more strongly with albumin proteins than did their salts. These findings highlight the importance of chemical forms in developmental toxicity and call for discriminative risk assessment and management of PFAAs and salts.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joshua S. Madin, Michael McWilliam, Kate Quigley, Line K. Bay, David Bellwood, Christopher Doropoulos, Leanne Fernandes, Peter Harrison, Andrew S. Hoey, Peter J. Mumby, Juan C. Ortiz, Zoe T. Richards, Cynthia Riginos, Nina M. D. Schiettekatte, David J. Suggett, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: Humans have focused on restoring species, but little attention has been given to selecting the best subset of foundation species for maintaining threatened ecosystems. We propose a two-part hedging approach that prioritizes phenotypic traits and ecological characteristics. By applying this approach to reef building corals, we found that current restoration programs could be improved by including species with different traits.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
So Young Jeong, Paul W. Gabrielson, Jeffery R. Hughey, Andrew S. Hoey, Tae Oh Cho, Muhammad A. Abdul Wahab, Guillermo Diaz-Pulido
Summary: Porolithon is an ecologically important genus of crustose coralline algae, distributed abundantly in tropical and subtropical shallow margins of coral reefs. Sequence comparisons of type specimens and field-collected specimens reveal four unique genetic lineages, suggesting the absence of P. gardineri and P. craspedium in eastern Australia. Furthermore, four new species are discovered, distinguished by growth form, margin shape, and medullary system. Urgent documentation of the taxonomic diversity of Porolithon species is necessary due to their ecological importance and sensitivity to ocean acidification.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joerg Wiedenmann, Cecilia D'Angelo, M. Loreto Mardones, Shona Moore, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Bastian Hambach, Paul A. Wilson, James Vanstone, Gal Eyal, Or Ben-Zvi, Yossi Loya, Amatzia Genin
Summary: Research shows that corals acquire dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus by feeding on symbiont cells, which are essential nutrients for their success in nutrient-poor waters.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joerg Wiedenmann, Cecilia D'Angelo, M. Loreto Mardones, Shona Moore, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Bastian Hambach, Paul A. Wilson, James Vanstone, Gal Eyal, Or Ben-Zvi, Yossi Loya, Amatzia Genin