Article
Fisheries
Robert W. Bullock, Craig Foster, James S. E. Lea
Summary: Understanding the respiratory modes of sharks is crucial for studying their metabolism, energetics, and behavioral strategies. By observing the resting behavior of the gray reef shark, we have updated our understanding of its respiratory mode, which has implications for future research.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amy Apprill, Yogesh Girdhar, T. Aran Mooney, Colleen M. Hansel, Matthew H. Long, Yaqin Liu, W. Gordon Zhang, Jason Kapit, Konrad Hughen, Jeff Coogan, Austin Greene
Summary: Coral reefs are facing threats from climate change and human impacts, but monitoring their status and health is important for conservation and intervention efforts. Current diver-based surveys have limitations, so there is a need for advanced and automated reef monitoring techniques. This research aims to integrate interdisciplinary measurements for select reefs worldwide and develop a scalable suite of sensors to evaluate and categorize reef health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amy Apprill, Yogesh Girdhar, T. Aran Mooney, Colleen M. Hansel, Matthew H. Long, Yaqin Liu, W. Gordon Zhang, Jason Kapit, Konrad Hughen, Jeff Coogan, Austin Greene
Summary: Coral reefs, which have high biodiversity and economic value, are facing threats from climate change and human impacts. Traditional diver-based surveys are used for reef monitoring but have limitations, thus there is a need for advanced and standardized reef monitoring techniques. This article presents advances in diver-based and autonomous reef monitoring and proposes integration of interdisciplinary measurements to understand the complex nature of reefs. The goal is to develop scalable and standardized sensors to assess reef health and support restoration and intervention activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Pramod Maurya, Manikandan Balakrishnan, Ranith Raj, Lakshadeep Naik, Llewellyn Fernandes, Nitin Dabholkar, Shivanand Prabhudesai, Jeyaraman Ravindran, Yogesh Agarwadekar, Gajanan Navelkar
Summary: Coral reef monitoring is a reliable tool to assess the effect of climate change, and a Stationary Reef Monitoring System (SRMS) has been developed to monitor the time evolution of coral reefs through photography and record environmental parameters. By using this system, one can determine the stress thresholds of corals, identify vulnerable and resilient reefs, and prioritize conservation efforts.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(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)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Suman Nama, Ashna Shanmughan, Binaya Bhusan Nayak, Shashi Bhushan, Karankumar Ramteke
Summary: Coral reefs, as the most spectacular underwater creation, play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning and coastal community livelihood. However, marine debris poses a severe threat to these sensitive habitats and their associated organisms. Despite scientific attention, data regarding the sources, abundance, distribution, and potential consequences of marine debris on reef ecosystems are lacking. This review aims to provide an overview of the current status and impacts of marine debris, with emphasis on sources, distribution, affected species, and management strategies, as well as highlighting the adhesion mechanisms and diseases caused by microplastics to coral polyps.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David J. Warne, Kerryn A. Crossman, Wang Jin, Kerrie Mengersen, Kate Osborne, Matthew J. Simpson, Angus A. Thompson, Paul Wu, Juan-C Ortiz
Summary: The world's coral reefs are facing threats due to climate change causing increased frequency and severity of acute thermal stress, as well as chronic pressures like rising sea surface temperature, overfishing, and declining water quality. Monitoring coral recovery dynamics is crucial for effective reef management. Detailed mechanistic models offer insight into reef recovery patterns, but monitoring on a colony scale is impractical for large reefs like the Great Barrier Reef.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geology
Tara R. Clark, George Roff, Tess Chapman, Hannah Markham-Summers, Nicholas M. Hammerman, Faye Liu, Yuexing Feng, John M. Pandolfi, Jian-xin Zhao
Summary: The overall status of many reefs in the Great Barrier Reef is uncertain due to the lack of detailed broad-scale studies. The relative role of various threats in impacting individual reefs is generally unclear. A novel approach using uranium-thorium dating of dead corals was adopted to reconstruct historical disturbance events at Rib and Davies Reefs, providing a reliable benchmark to assess recovery and monitor coral communities effectively.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erick Barrera-Falcon, Rodolfo Rioja-Nieto, Roberto C. Hernandez-Landa, Edgar Torres-Irineo
Summary: This study compared main ecological metrics for coral reef condition assessment obtained with an underwater digital photogrammetry protocol and traditional sampling design simulations in the Cozumel Reefs National Park. The results suggest that the underwater digital photogrammetry protocol is more accurate in assessing coral reefs in comparison with traditional sampling designs. The study highlights the importance of precise assessing and monitoring of coral reefs for understanding the threats and changes in coral communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yaeli Rosenberg, Noa Simon-Blecher, Maya Lalzar, Ruth Yam, Aldo Shemesh, Shahar Alon, Gabriela Perna, Anny Cardenas, Christian R. Voolstra, David J. Miller, Oren Levy
Summary: This study examines the impact of urbanization on coral reefs and finds that coral in urban environments experience extensive disruptions to their natural biorhythms and environmental sensory systems. The study also reveals poor symbiont performance, disturbance to gametogenic cycles, and altered seasonality patterns in vital biological processes. The microbiomes of the urban coral population also showed changes in seasonality patterns, highlighting the impact of urbanization on the holobiont.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Asa Oren, Ofer Berman, Reem Neri, Ezri Tarazi, Haim Parnas, Offri Lotan, Majeed Zoabi, Noam Josef, Nadav Shashar
Summary: This study examines reef fishes' behavior and reactions to three-dimensional-printed (3DP) corals and finds that 3DP corals can be a suitable substitute for live corals for certain types of reef fish services.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Angela Randazzo-Eisemann, Joaquin Rodrigo Garza-Perez, Baruch Figueroa-Zavala
Summary: The study found that coral diseases outbreaks, along with the effects of coastal development and thermal stressors, have significantly decreased the coverage and abundance of major reef-building corals in the Akumal reef over the past two decades, shifting the dominant species to non-framework weedy life history strategies.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gregory P. Asner, Nicholas R. Vaughn, Roberta E. Martin, Shawna A. Foo, Joseph Heckler, Brian J. Neilson, Jamison M. Gove
Summary: Corals are important habitat-building organisms in tropical reefs, supporting a quarter of all ocean species and providing ecosystem services to millions of people. However, marine heat waves threaten coral reefs by killing individual colonies and reducing diversity. This study used aerial imaging spectroscopy to monitor coral mortality during a major heat wave in Hawaii, and found that certain reefs had lower coral loss and therefore may serve as refugia. Human and environmental factors, such as coastal development and sedimentation levels, played a role in differentiating resilient reefs from more vulnerable ones.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiwei Li, Gregory P. Asner
Summary: Three-dimensional shallow benthic complexity provides valuable information for coral reef conservation and management, as it reflects the physical conditions and biodiversity of shallow coral reef environments. This study mapped global shallow water benthic complexity using satellite images and found that high complexity regions are mainly concentrated in areas with high benthic biodiversity. However, a significant portion of coral reef regions with high benthic complexity remains unprotected. The global coral reef benthic complexity map generated in this study can contribute to improving marine protected areas, reef conservation, and management.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Christine Ferrier-Pages, Miguel C. Leal, Ricardo Calado, Dominik W. Schmid, Frederic Bertucci, David Lecchini, Denis Allemand
Summary: This review discusses the impact of underwater noise on coral reef organisms, with a focus on how different factors influence the sensitivity of organisms to noise. It highlights the need for measures from governments, the shipping industry and individual users to address global noise emission on coral reefs and emphasizes the importance of policies and research in managing this issue.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Floriaan Devloo-Delva, Roger Huerlimann, Gladys Chua, Jordan K. Matley, Michelle R. Heupel, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Gregory E. Maes
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Molly E. Scott, Michelle R. Heupel, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Jordan K. Matley, Morgan S. Pratchett
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Susanna Huneide Thorbjornsen, Even Moland, Colin Simpfendorfer, Michelle Heupel, Halvor Knutsen, Esben Moland Olsen
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peter M. Kyne, Rima W. Jabado, Cassandra L. Rigby, Dharmadi, Mauvis A. Gore, Caroline M. Pollock, Katelyn B. Herman, Jessica Cheok, David A. Ebert, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Nicholas K. Dulvy
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2020)
Article
Fisheries
Matthew J. Campbell, Mark L. Tonks, Margaret Miller, David T. Brewer, Anthony J. Courtney, Colin A. Simpfendorfer
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gerardo Martin, Mario Espinoza, Michelle Heupel, Colin A. Simpfendorfer
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Ian A. Bouyoucos, Phillip R. Morrison, Ornella C. Weideli, Eva Jacquesson, Serge Planes, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Colin J. Brauner, Jodie L. Rummer
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Madalyn K. Cooper, Roger Huerlimann, Richard C. Edmunds, Alyssa M. Budd, Agnes Le Port, Peter M. Kyne, Dean R. Jerry, Colin A. Simpfendorfer
Summary: This study developed species-specific TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays to support monitoring efforts for endangered sawfishes. It also demonstrated the importance of careful consideration in choosing preservation and extraction workflow, especially when detecting rare or threatened species could have significant management and conservation outcomes.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ian A. Bouyoucos, Jose E. Trujillo, Ornella C. Weideli, Nao Nakamura, Johann Mourier, Serge Planes, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Jodie L. Rummer
Summary: The distribution of marine ectotherms is restricted by temperature and oxygen levels. Haematological traits related to blood oxygen carrying capacity are believed to be correlated with thermal tolerance in certain fishes, with oxygen supply capacity possibly explaining this relationship. Using reef shark neonates as experimental models, this study found that their habitats were hyperoxic at maximum recorded temperatures. While a negative association between haemoglobin concentration and maximum habitat temperatures was demonstrated in one species, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between oxygen supply capacity and thermal tolerance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brooke M. D'Alberto, William T. White, Andrew Chin, Dharmadi, Colin A. Simpfendorfer
Summary: Research found that in the Indonesian tangle net fishery, multiple species of rays and sharks were caught, with the bottlenose wedgefish being the main target species. The fishery demonstrated high selectivity for larger individuals, leading to variations in catch composition depending on species catchability.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
C. Samantha Sherman, Glenn Sant, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Eric D. Digel, Patrick Zubick, Grant Johnson, Michael Usher, Nicholas K. Dulvy
Summary: Fisheries management is crucial for sustainable capture of target species and avoiding declines of incidentally captured species. However, there is currently no single management evaluation that can be applied to different fishery types at the scale of individual countries or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). This study presents a management-risk (M-Risk) framework for assessing the risk of overfishing in sharks, rays, and chimaeras due to ineffective management. The framework can be used to identify species at the greatest risk and helps fisheries managers develop effective management policies.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Review
Fisheries
Molly E. Scott, Sterling B. Tebbett, Kirsty L. Whitman, Cassandra A. Thompson, Frank B. Mancini, Michelle R. Heupel, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: This study used baited remote underwater video systems to investigate the variation in the taxonomic and functional structure of fish assemblages along a depth gradient. The study found that the abundance and diversity of fish decreased with depth, and there were pronounced differences in the fish assemblages across the depth gradient.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Michael R. Heithaus, Michelle R. Heupel, M. Aaron MacNeil, Mark Meekan, Euan Harvey, C. Samantha Sherman, Leanne M. Currey-Randall, Jordan S. Goetze, Jeremy J. Kiszka, Matthew J. Rees, Conrad W. Speed, Vinay Udyawer, Mark E. Bond, Kathryn I. Flowers, Gina M. Clementi, Jasmine Valentin-Albanese, M. Shiham Adam, Khadeeja Ali, Jacob Asher, Eva Aylagas, Oceane Beaufort, Cecilie Benjamin, Anthony T. F. Bernard, Michael L. Berumen, Stacy Bierwagen, Chico Birrell, Erika Bonnema, Rosalind M. K. Bown, Edward J. Brooks, J. Jed Brown, Dayne Buddo, Patrick J. Burke, Camila Caceres, Marta Cambra, Diego Cardenosa, Jeffrey C. Carrier, Sara Casareto, Jennifer E. Caselle, Venkatesh Charloo, Joshua E. Cinner, Thomas Claverie, Eric E. G. Clua, Jesse E. M. Cochran, Neil Cook, Jessica E. Cramp, Brooke M. D'Alberto, Martin de Graaf, Mareike C. Dornhege, Mario Espinoza, Andy Estep, Lanya Fanovich, Naomi F. Farabaugh, Daniel Fernando, Carlos E. L. Ferreira, Candace Y. A. Fields, Anna L. Flam, Camilla Floros, Virginia Fourqurean, Laura Gajdzik, Laura Garcia Barcia, Ricardo Garla, Kirk Gastrich, Lachlan George, Tommaso Giarrizzo, Rory Graham, Tristan L. Guttridge, Valerie Hagan, Royale S. Hardenstine, Stephen M. Heck, Aaron C. Henderson, Patricia Heithaus, Heidi Hertler, Mauricio Hoyos Padilla, Robert E. Hueter, Rima W. Jabado, Jean-Christophe Joyeux, Vanessa Jaiteh, Mohini Johnson, Stacy D. Jupiter, Muslimin Kaimuddin, Devanshi Kasana, Megan Kelley, Steven T. Kessel, Benedict Kiilu, Taratau Kirata, Baraka Kuguru, Fabian Kyne, Tim Langlois, Frida Lara, Jaedon Lawe, Elodie J. I. Ledee, Steve Lindfield, Andrea Luna-Acosta, Jade Q. Maggs, B. Mabel Manjaji-Matsumoto, Andrea Marshall, Lucy Martin, Daniel Mateos-Molina, Philip Matich, Erin McCombs, Ashlie McIvor, Dianne McLean, Llewelyn Meggs, Stephen Moore, Sushmita Mukherji, Ryan Murray, Stephen J. Newman, Josep Nogues, Clay Obota, Domingo Ochavillo, Owen O'Shea, Kennedy E. Osuka, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Nishan Perera, Bradley Peterson, Caio R. Pimentel, Fabian Pina-Amargos, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Alessandro Ponzo, Andhika Prasetyo, L. M. Sjamsul Quamar, Jessica R. Quinlan, Jose Amorim Reis-Filho, Hector Ruiz, Alexei Ruiz-Abierno, Enric Sala, Pelayo Salinas-de-Leon, Melita A. Samoilys, William R. Sample, Michelle Schaerer-Umpierre, Audrey M. Schlaff, Kurt Schmid, Sara N. Schoen, Nikola Simpson, Adam N. H. Smith, Julia L. Y. Spaet, Lauren Sparks, Twan Stoffers, Akshay Tanna, Ruben Torres, Michael J. Travers, Maurits van Zinnicq Bergmann, Laurent Vigliola, Juney Ward, Joseph D. Warren, Alexandra M. Watts, Colin K. Wen, Elizabeth R. Whitman, Aaron J. Wirsing, Aljoscha Wothke, Esteban Zarza-Gonzalez, Demian D. Chapman
Summary: A global survey of coral reefs highlights the alarming decline in resident shark species due to overfishing, leading to a decrease in diversity among reef elasmobranch assemblages. The study reveals a significant decline of 60 to 73% in population for five common resident reef shark species, with shark absence detected in 34 to 47% of surveyed reefs. As shark populations decline, rays become the dominant species in these assemblages. However, shark-dominated assemblages are still found in wealthy nations with strong governance and highly protected areas, while impoverished regions with weak governance and inadequate shark management have depleted assemblages mainly composed of rays.
Article
Fisheries
Sophia M. Emmons, Brooke M. D'Alberto, Jonathan J. Smart, Colin A. Simpfendorfer
Summary: The study analyzed the age and length of tiger sharks in Western Australia, revealing a slower growth rate compared to tiger sharks in other regions, but similar to those observed on the eastern coast of Australia.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Michelle R. Heupel, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Mario Espinoza, Madeline E. Green, Colin A. Simpfendorfer
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2019)