Article
Environmental Sciences
Marilyn E. Brandt, Rosmin S. Ennis, Sonora S. Meiling, Joseph Townsend, Kathryn Cobleigh, Adam Glahn, Jason Quetel, Viktor Brandtneris, Leslie M. Henderson, Tyler B. Smith
Summary: A deadly multi-host stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is spreading in the Caribbean, affecting coral communities and causing significant impact on coral cover. The disease has been found in the US Virgin Islands, with highly affected species including Colpophyllia natans, Eusmilia fastigiata, Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella spp., and Pseudodiploria strigosa. The disease is expected to spread further across the region in the near future.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
I. A. Madden, A. Mariwala, M. Lindhart, S. Narayan, K. K. Arkema, M. W. Beck, J. W. Baker, J. Suckale
Summary: Ecosystems like coral reefs play a role in reducing coastal flood risks, but their conservation is underinvested compared to engineered risk-mitigation structures. This is due to the difficulty in quantifying the risk-reduction benefits of coral reefs, which requires understanding their fragility to severe stresses. In this study, the authors propose a framework for assessing the fragility of coral reefs to hurricanes, based on data collected in the Florida Keys and Puerto Rico. They establish a correlation between hurricane impacts and coral mortality rates, and develop a fragility function for comparing the cost-effectiveness of coral reefs and engineered solutions to flood risk reduction.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Veronica van der Schyff, Marinus du Preez, Karin Blom, Nee Sun Choong Kwet Yive, Jana Klanova, Petra Pribylova, Ondrej Audy, Jakub Martinik, Hindrik Bouwman
Summary: Persistent halogenated compounds were found in coral reef biota from tropical islands in the western Indian Ocean, including traditional organic pollutants and new compounds. Different species of corals and fish showed varying concentrations and patterns of PHCs, indicating the need for targeted sampling in future surveys. Agalega and St. Brandon's Atoll can serve as monitoring sites for changes in pollutant concentrations due to their remoteness.
Article
Ecology
Lais F. O. Lima, Amanda T. Alker, Bhavya Papudeshi, Megan M. Morris, Robert A. Edwards, Samantha J. de Putron, Elizabeth A. Dinsdale
Summary: The microbial community structure in the coral surface mucus layer (SML) varies between different local reef environments, which affects coral health and ecosystem functioning. The fluctuating environment in the inner patch reefs of Bermuda promotes a more beneficial coral SML microbiome, potentially enhancing holobiont resilience to environmental changes and disease.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew S. Mills, Tom Schils, Andrew D. Olds, Javier X. Leon
Summary: The complexity of tropical reef habitats affects the organisms residing in these ecosystems. This study used structure-from-motion photogrammetry to quantify the structural complexity of reefs in Guam and found correlations between terrain complexity, benthic community diversity, and coral cover. The study provides insights into Guam's reef complexity and its importance for future assessments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rachel R. R. Carlson, Jiwei Li, Larry B. B. Crowder, Gregory P. P. Asner
Summary: Turbidity from land-based runoff can have both negative and positive effects on coral bleaching during ocean heatwaves. This study used high-resolution satellite data to examine the relationship between turbidity and coral bleaching severity in Hawaii. The results showed that the effect of turbidity on bleaching severity weakened at higher temperatures, but still had a slightly negative impact in urban settings. Additionally, interactions between temperature and local variables like turbidity and wave energy were found to be the most significant drivers of bleaching severity.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peng Wu, Teng Wang, Yong Liu, Chunhou Li, Yayuan Xiao, Shannan Xu, Tingting Han, Lin Lin, Qiumei Quan
Summary: Herbivorous fishes play an important role in preventing the overabundance of macroalgae on coral reefs. Through microscopy, genetic sequencing, and stable isotope analysis, we investigated the feeding behaviors and consumption patterns of eight herbivorous fish species in the Xisha Islands. Among them, Kyphosus vaigiensis, Naso unicornis, and Siganus argenteus demonstrated high potential for macroalgal consumption and should receive priority protection.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kelly Heber Dunning
Summary: The Cayman Islands' port expansion project has sparked major environmental policy controversy, leading to changes in governance through four pathways. The dispute has significantly altered existing institutions, increased the influence of private companies, allowed non-state actors to shape public discourse, and brought about participatory democratic processes led by civil society in new ways. Increased stakeholder participation in decision-making can unintentionally empower private interests to undermine institutions and public policy, but a strong civil society can challenge these changes and influence decision-making democratically.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Elzbieta Sasiadek-Andrzejczak, Malwina Jaszczak, Marek Kozicki
Summary: This work introduces new chemical dosimeters for measuring UV radiation dose in coral reefs and seawater. Unlike current radiometers, these dosimeters can measure the actual dose of UV radiation, which includes both UVA and UVB radiation. The dosimeters are composed of water, Pluronic F-127 gel matrix, and TTC compound, and their stability and response to UV radiation dose were investigated. The results show that these dosimeters can be used to measure absorbed doses of UV radiation in saltwater environments, making them useful for regular measurements in marine and ocean waters throughout the year.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Isaiah W. Bolden, Aaron Satkoski, John C. Lassiter, Julian P. Sachs, Alexander C. Gagnon
Summary: Coral reefs are important marine environments that impact the biogeochemical cycles of seawater. The daily variability of dissolved seawater Sr/Ca ratio in Tetiaroa Atoll was found to covary with DIC and TA. The study suggests that continued analysis of Sr/Casw in coral reef environments could provide valuable information on the ecological distribution and contributions of marine calcifiers on reefs.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
K. S. Tkachenko, V. V. Dung, V. T. Ha
Summary: Coral reefs in Vietnam are highly threatened, but the Con Dao Islands still have diverse and healthy coral communities, suggesting the need for conservation efforts. Surveys conducted in the Con Dao National Park revealed high coral cover and diversity, with dominant coral taxa showing no significant decrease despite thermal anomalies and bleaching events. The high diversity and potential resilience of coral communities in the Con Dao Archipelago emphasize the importance of paying special attention and expanding conservation efforts in this area.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tri Aryono Hadi, Rizkie Satriya Utama, Tri Arfianti
Summary: Pressures on tropical coral reefs threaten their existence worldwide. Loss of coral cover and declines in coral richness are commonly observed. However, there is a lack of precise documentation on species richness and coral cover dynamics in the Bangka Belitung Islands region of Indonesia.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Hannah F. Nylander-Asplin, Ronald L. Hill, Jennifer C. Doerr, Lisa Greer, Nicole D. Fogarty
Summary: The study found 35 hybrid genotypes in three sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands, suggesting multiple hybridizations events have occurred. While there was no significant difference in genotypic richness across sites for A. cervicornis, A. prolifera, and A. palmata, the research revealed stable hybrid percent cover over time in certain locations. This indicates that acroporid hybrids may become the primary shallow reef-builders in some areas previously occupied by parental species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sophia V. Costa, Stephanie J. Hibberts, Danielle A. Olive, Kayla A. Budd, Alexys E. Long, Sonora S. Meiling, Madyson B. Miller, Kelsey M. Vaughn, Claudia I. Carrion, Maksym B. Cohen, Annie E. Savage, Matthew F. Souza, Lorraine Buckley, Kristin W. Grimes, Renata Platenberg, Tyler B. Smith, Jeremiah Blondeau, Marilyn E. Brandt
Summary: Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first observed in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in January 2019, affecting at least 20 scleractinian coral species. Research indicates a significant positive relationship between disease prevalence and species diversity in the epidemic zone, with high species diversity sites experiencing greater disease impact in the endemic zone.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Edwin A. Hernandez-Delgado, Maria F. Ortiz-Flores
Summary: The persistence and resilience of marginal shallow coral reefs have declined due to chronic environmental degradation and climate change. This study examined the potential for natural recovery through coral recruitment on fringing reefs in Puerto Rico. The results showed that degraded reefs and reefs affected by water quality degradation and physical impacts had lower coral recruit density and diversity, indicating less potential for recovery. It is important to implement effective environmental conservation and restoration strategies to enhance coral recruitment success and recovery processes.