Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jeremy Carlot, Mohsen Kayal, Hunter S. Lenihan, Simon J. Brandl, Jordan M. Casey, Mehdi Adjeroud, Ulisse Cardini, Alexandre Merciere, Benoit Espiau, Diego R. Barneche, Alessio Rovere, Laetitia Hedouin, Valeriano Parravicini
Summary: Sea-level rise is predicted to have major impacts on tropical coastlines, with coral reefs playing a key role in protecting against ocean waves by producing calcium carbonate. Recent research shows that recovering reefs may produce more calcium carbonate than previously estimated, thanks to the contribution of juvenile corals. However, recruitment failures following large-scale bleaching events could compromise the buffering effect of highly productive juvenile corals.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raymond C. Boland, K. David Hyrenbach, Edward E. DeMartini, Frank A. Parrish, John J. Rooney
Summary: This study conducted surveys of the mesophotic reef in the Au'au Channel between Maui and Lana'i islands using various methods. The results showed that depth, benthic substrates, and coverage have an impact on the distribution of fish assemblages in the mesophotic reef. Additionally, two distinct mesophotic assemblages were identified, one in the upper depths and the other in the lower depths.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Juliano Morais, Sterling B. Tebbett, Renato A. Morais, David R. Bellwood
Summary: Ecosystem recovery from human-induced disturbances is occurring worldwide, but the dynamics and implications for ecosystem management remain unclear. Using coral reefs as a case study, this research found that coral reefs can recover to global average levels within just 2 years, with as few as 11.5 coral recruits per square meter. However, factors such as wave exposure, growth form, and colony density can impact the recovery rates. This study emphasizes the importance of considering natural recovery in management and restoration, and provides insights into the recovery dynamics of high-diversity climate-disturbed ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taku Ohara, Bert W. Hoeksema, Hin Boo Wee, James D. Reimer
Summary: The research conducted in offshore Onna Village, Okinawa Island, Japan, revealed that mushroom corals always migrate in a down-slope direction from shallow to deeper reef zones. The study showed that mushroom corals migrated faster in autumn compared to other seasons, with oval-elongate fungiids and those with a smooth underside moving more quickly. Surprisingly, there was a negative relationship between the presence of typhoons and migration rates.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carol Buitrago-Lopez, Anny Cardenas, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Thierry Gosselin, Fabian Staubach, Manuel Aranda, Daniel J. Barshis, Yvonne Sawall, Christian R. Voolstra
Summary: Global habitat degradation has increased the need to study genetic connectivity and diversity of marine biota in order to guide conservation efforts. This study examined the population structure and holobiont assemblage of two common pocilloporid corals across the Red Sea. The results showed evidence for limited population differentiation in P. verrucosa, but complex population structure and genetic differentiation in S. pistillata, along with differences in reproductive mode and genetic adaptation at various sites. The study highlights the importance of multispecies investigations and networks of reef reserves in conserving genetic variants critical to the future survival of coral ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Darwin Ramteke, K. Paramasivam, C. Viswanathan, K. R. Abhilash, J. Joyson Joe Jeevamani, V. Deepak Samuel, R. Sankar, R. Muruganandam, R. Purvaja, R. Ramesh
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of oyster habitats, benthic faunal assemblages, and functional feeding groups along Pulicat Lake in India. The study identified three major reefs and two minor beds, as well as four species of oysters. The macrofaunal assemblages consisted of 71 species from five major phyla, and were classified into five functional feeding groups. The analysis revealed that the oyster reefs/beds in Pulicat Lake have a moderate ecological quality status.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Minpeng Song, Jiahao Wang, Zhaoyi Nie, Lu Wang, Jinxiao Wang, Jiating Zhang, Yuxin Wang, Zhansheng Guo, Zhaoyang Jiang, Zhenlin Liang
Summary: This study evaluated the temporal and spatial differences on benthic fish communities among different types of artificial reef habitats in the northern Yellow Sea. The results showed that the concrete artificial reef habitat generally had better diversity variables of benthic fish communities compared to other types.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adrien Cheminee, Laurence Le Direach, Elodie Rouanet, Patrick Astruch, Adrien Goujard, Aurelie Blanfune, Denis Bonhomme, Laureline Chassaing, Jean-Yves Jouvenel, Sandrine Ruitton, Thierry Thibaut, Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
Summary: This study investigated juvenile fish assemblages in different habitat types along the southeast coast of France and found that species richness and abundance of fish were higher during the warm period. Natural rocky substrates and interfaces between seagrass beds and other habitats were identified as the richest habitats for fish.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weizhen Zhang, Ji Shen, Jianjun Wang
Summary: The study found that biodiversity loss may lead to weakened ecosystem functioning in freshwater ecosystems, with environmental stressors such as eutrophication and heavy metals influencing the relationships between biodiversity and EMF. Sediment heavy metals and total phosphorus significantly explained spatial variations in EMF, with heavy metals potentially more important than phosphorus.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Kim B. Eustache, Emiel van Loon, Jodie L. Rummer, Serge Planes, Isabel Smallegange
Summary: Reef shark species have experienced significant declines due to human activities, and their conservation requires policies at local, federal, and global levels. This study monitored the blacktip reef shark population around Moorea and within the world's largest shark sanctuary for nine years. The results indicate that local and likely federal policies have been effective in maintaining stable juvenile shark density. However, some nursery areas showed increasing shark densities, potentially due to changes in reproductive behavior or habitat type and resources. Water temperature did not have a significant impact on juvenile shark density over time.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Lene Aasdahl, Fredrik Granviken, Ingebrigt Meisingset, Astrid Woodhouse, Kari Anne I. Evensen, Ottar Vasseljen
Summary: Traditional diagnostic labelling is not very helpful in informing treatment or prognosis due to large variations in symptoms and prognostic factors among patients sharing the same musculoskeletal diagnosis. This study identified five MSK phenotypes with different recovery trajectories for pain and functional limitations over one year, which may better reflect the diversity in recovery of common MSK disorders compared to traditional diagnostic groups.
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Hillary A. Smith, Tara Prenzlau, Taylor Whitman, Stella E. Fulton, Stefano Borghi, Murray Logan, Scott F. Heron, David G. Bourne
Summary: The interaction between macroalgae and corals plays a crucial role in coral bleaching and recovery. Upright macroalgae can provide some refuge, reducing coral bleaching and mortality. However, the protection effect of macroalgae on branching and encrusting corals is limited during severe heat stress events.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florian Stahl, Selma D. Mezger, Valentina Migani, Marko Rohlfs, Victoria J. Fahey, Eike Schoenig, Christian Wild
Summary: The benthic community data from reefs surrounding Koh Phangan Island in the Gulf of Thailand revealed an increase in live hard coral cover and a decrease in turf algae cover, indicating local reef recovery. This recovery was mainly driven by the growth of plate-like corals, particularly of the genus Montipora, leading to increased hard coral diversity.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ines D. Lange, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Jamie M. McDevitt-Irwin, Kristina L. Tietjen, Brett Taylor, Mark Chinkin, Rachel L. Gunn, Melissa Palmisciano, Margaux Steyaert, Bry Wilson, Holly K. East, John Turner, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Chris T. Perry
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of wave exposure on coral reef benthic community composition and recovery trajectories after the significant 2015/2016 bleaching event in the remote Chagos Archipelago. The research shows significant differences in community composition between exposed and sheltered sites, with higher coral cover and rugosity in sheltered sites. The study also demonstrates changes in benthic community patterns over the years due to exposure and bleaching events.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Agus Sabdono, Diah Ayuningrum, Aninditia Sabdaningsih
Summary: This study examined the abundance and distribution of microplastics in different coral life-forms in habitats with varying degrees of sedimentation in the Jepara Coastal Waters, Java Sea. The results showed that there was no significant difference in microplastic abundance among different locations and coral life-forms. Black microplastics were the dominant type found in all locations.
POLISH JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Tania M. M. Kenyon, Christopher Doropoulos, Kennedy Wolfe, Gregory E. E. Webb, Sophie Dove, Daniel Harris, Peter J. J. Mumby
Summary: This article reviews the dynamics of rubble beds on coral reefs, with a focus on the changes expected in the generation, mobilization, binding, and coral recruitment of rubble on future reefs. It predicts that major disturbances, such as storms and coral bleaching, will increase in intensity and frequency, leading to larger quantities of coral rubble. With smaller recovery windows and increased bioerosion, smaller and less complex rubble pieces will be generated more often. The time available for binding will be reduced, and changing ocean chemistry may affect the efficacy of binders. Ultimately, increased rubble cover will negatively impact coral recruitment into rubble beds.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Amelia A. A. Desbiens, Peter J. J. Mumby, Symon Dworjanyn, Eva E. Plaganyi, Sven Uthicke, Kennedy Wolfe
Summary: This study investigated the predators of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) and found 26 novel predators, but only 10 species regularly consumed juvenile CoTS. Most predation resulted in severed bodies and missing arms, rather than total consumption. The research highlights the importance of predators during the juvenile stage in controlling CoTS populations.
Article
Ecology
Kennedy Wolfe, Tania M. Kenyon, Amelia Desbiens, Kimberley de la Motte, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: Declines in habitat complexity have led to ecological degradation in various ecosystems. Coral reefs have served as a model for studying such changes, but previous research has mainly focused on corals and fish, overlooking the dominant role of small cryptic organisms. This study used a hierarchical framework to explore whether broad seascape parameters or nested microhabitat processes better describe cryptofauna communities in coral rubble. The results showed that microhabitat complexity influenced sessile organism cover, which in turn shaped the motile cryptofauna community.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Robert A. B. Mason, Yves-Marie Bozec, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: This article analyses the future scenarios of the Great Barrier Reef under various realistic drivers and finds that under a limited warming scenario, the coral cover can eventually recover to present-day levels. However, under higher warming scenarios, the coral cover declines drastically and may even disappear.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas J. Richards, Katrina McGuigan, J. David Aguirre, Adriana Humanes, Yves-Marie Bozec, Peter J. Mumby, Cynthia Riginos
Summary: Global environmental change is happening rapidly, with coral reefs being one of the most threatened ecosystems. To ensure the survival of wild populations, adaptation is necessary. However, our understanding of the complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics of corals is limited, hindering predictions about their ability to adapt to future conditions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chelsey M. Beese, Peter J. Mumby, Alice Rogers
Summary: The quality of coral reef habitats is declining due to heatwaves and other disturbances, resulting in reduced complexity and energy transfer to higher trophic levels. By using a size-based ecosystem model, researchers found that providing refuge for fish between 5 and 10 cm in length can significantly enhance fish biomass and fisheries productivity. The study also identifies refuge profiles that can improve ecosystem service provision by up to sixfold.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robert A. B. Mason, Yves-Marie Bozec, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: Boat anchoring is a common practice at coral reefs with high economic or social value, but its impact on reef resilience has been understudied. Using an individual-based model, we simulated the effects of anchor damage on coral populations and estimated the carrying capacity of anchoring for different coral assemblages. We found that even a small to medium-sized recreational vessel can cause 0 to 3.1 anchor strikes per hectare per day. In a case study of the Great Barrier Reef, we demonstrated that mitigating anchoring can lead to significant coral gains under bleaching scenarios.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. L. Vozzo, C. Doropoulos, B. R. Silliman, A. Steven, S. E. Reeves, R. ter Hofstede, M. van Koningsveld, J. van de Koppel, T. McPherson, M. Ronan, M. I. Saunders
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Graeme S. Cumming, Maja Adamska, Michele L. Barnes, Jon Barnett, David R. Bellwood, Joshua E. Cinner, Philippa J. Cohen, Jennifer M. Donelson, Katharina Fabricius, R. Quentin Grafton, Alana Grech, Georgina G. Gurney, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Andrew S. Hoey, Mia O. Hoogenboom, Jacqueline Lau, Catherine E. Lovelock, Ryan Lowe, David J. Miller, Tiffany H. Morrison, Peter J. Mumby, Martin Nakata, John M. Pandolfi, Garry D. Peterson, Morgan S. Pratchett, Timothy Ravasi, Cynthia Riginos, Jodie L. Rummer, Britta Schaffelke, Thomas Wernberg, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: SDG 14 aims to secure marine sustainability by 2030, and understanding the changing seascape, global actions, and the collaboration between science and society are vital for achieving this goal in the Asia-Pacific region. Through a horizon scan, researchers identified nine emerging research priorities that can contribute to marine sustainability, including understanding seascape evolution, drivers of change, and the costs and benefits to people. Researchers can contribute by developing interdisciplinary understandings, emphasizing equity and justice, and improving knowledge of cross-scale processes.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kennedy Wolfe, Amelia A. A. Desbiens, Peter J. J. Mumby
Summary: Patterns of movement of marine species can provide valuable information about reproduction and dispersal strategies, species interactions, trophodynamics, and vulnerability to change, which is crucial for population and ecosystem management. In coral reefs, the highest density and diversity of metazoan taxa are found in dead coral and rubble, but the energy stored in rubble is mainly accessible to small individuals, limiting its availability to higher trophic levels.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Carolina Castro-Sanguino, Yves-Marie Bozec, Scott A. Condie, Cameron S. Fletcher, Karlo Hock, Chris Roelfsema, David A. Westcott, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: CoTS outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia have caused significant damage to coral ecosystems. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the current CoTS control program and suggests increasing control efforts to ensure coral persistence in the face of climate change impacts.
Article
Biology
Liam Lachs, Adriana Humanes, Daniel R. Pygas, John C. Bythell, Peter J. Mumby, Renata Ferrari, Will F. Figueira, Elizabeth Beauchamp, Holly K. East, Alasdair J. Edwards, Yimnang Golbuu, Helios M. Martinez, Brigitte Sommer, Eveline van der Steeg, James R. Guest
Summary: As marine species adapt to climate change, their heat tolerance will be under strong selection, but trade-offs between heat tolerance and other traits may compromise adaptation. The study focused on reef-building corals and found no trade-offs between heat tolerance and fecundity or growth. Surprisingly, faster-growing corals tended to bleach and die at higher levels of heat stress. Overall, this suggests that some high-performing corals excel across multiple traits and trade-offs may not be major barriers to adaptation or evolution interventions.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Elizabeth Buccheri, Gerard F. Ricardo, Russell C. Babcock, Peter J. Mumby, Christopher Doropoulos
Summary: This study investigated the sensitivity of coral reproduction to changes in sperm concentration and contact time between gametes. The results showed that fertilisation was most successful at high sperm concentrations and longer contact times, with variations between different coral species.
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liam Lachs, Simon D. D. Donner, Peter J. J. Mumby, John C. C. Bythell, Adriana Humanes, Holly K. K. East, James R. R. Guest
Summary: Recurrent mass bleaching events pose a threat to coral reefs and their future. However, this study suggests that the thermal tolerance of coral assemblages in a remote Pacific coral reef system has been increasing, leading to less severe bleaching impacts. Future climate projections indicate that further increases in thermal tolerance could substantially reduce bleaching trajectories, highlighting the importance of reducing carbon emissions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)