Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara. M. M. Stieb, Fabio Cortesi, Luiz Jardim de Queiroz, Karen. L. L. Carleton, Ole Seehausen, N. Justin Marshall
Summary: This study investigates the expression of visual pigment gene (opsin) in coral reef fishes and finds that algivorous species with orange/red colors exhibit high expression of long-wavelength-sensitive (lws) opsin. This enhances their ability to detect algae and orange/red-colored conspecifics, possibly enabling social signalling.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Graham Kolodziej, Michael S. Studivan, Arthur C. R. Gleason, Chris Langdon, Ian C. Enochs, Derek P. Manzello
Summary: Since 2014, stony coral tissue loss disease has spread throughout Florida's coral reef tract and the Caribbean, reaching the upper Florida Keys by 2016. Despite the presence of the disease at Cheeca Rocks, the impact on coral cover and community structure has been relatively low compared to other sites on Florida's coral reef tract, highlighting the potential role of this site in coral resilience.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anny Cardenas, Jean-Baptiste Raina, Claudia Pogoreutz, Nils Raedecker, Jeremy Bougoure, Paul Guagliardo, Mathieu Pernice, Christian R. Voolstra
Summary: The structure and function of the endolithic microbiome in corals are linked to bleaching susceptibility. Corals that are resistant to bleaching have endolithic microbiomes with greater functional diversity and redundancy, and lower endolithic primary productivity, possibly due to the dominance of chemolithotrophs. Lower primary production within the skeleton may help maintain nutrient-limiting conditions in the coral-algal symbiosis under heat stress.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Juan Shi, Chunhou Li, Teng Wang, Jinfa Zhao, Yong Liu, Yayuan Xiao
Summary: Coral reefs, known as tropical rainforests in the ocean, have a rich diversity of fish species. China has 2855 species of coral reef fishes, which can be categorized into nearshore and offshore. The diversity of coral reef fish species has a significant positive correlation with coral species diversity.
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
Ecology
Ewout G. Knoester, Emilia Rizzi, Albertinka J. Murk, Ronald Osinga
Summary: Restoration is a promising tool for coral reef conservation, but concerns about cost and ecological setbacks remain. Integrating reef ecology with restoration efforts can help address these concerns. This study examined the relationship between herbivorous fish communities, grazing intensity, and coral nursery performance, highlighting the importance of protecting key grazers and placing nurseries in areas with high fish biomass.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Sterling B. Tebbett, David R. Bellwood, Tahlia Bassett, Michael V. W. Cuttler, Molly Moustaka, Shaun K. Wilson, Helen F. Yan, Richard D. Evans
Summary: Herbivorous fishes and algal turfs are important for the functioning of coral reefs, but their nature on turbid reefs is limited. High turbidity reefs have low herbivorous fish abundance and limited nutritional resources, resulting in reduced productivity compared to clear-water reefs in the Indo-Pacific. This suggests bottom-up nutrient resource limitation due to reduced light levels and sediment-laden conditions on turbid reefs.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Elizabeth McLeod, Elizabeth C. Shaver, Maria Beger, Jennifer Koss, Gabriel Grimsditch
Summary: Climate change is causing global decline in coral reef ecosystems. It is crucial to reduce CO2 emissions and implement local management actions to support reef health and recovery. Resilience assessments quantify the context of reefs and help marine managers anticipate changes and prioritize management actions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joseph W. P. Nakoa, John H. R. Burns, Kanoelani Steward, Lauren M. Kapono, Clifford A. Kapono
Summary: Coral reefs are declining due to various factors, and diseases affecting corals have increased in recent decades. However, the etiology of most diseases is still poorly understood. In this study, a 3D molecular cartographic platform was used to investigate the molecular characteristics of healthy and diseased coral tissues. The results showed differences in microbial diversity and molecular composition between healthy and diseased tissues, providing new insights into how diseases affect the molecular landscape of corals.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sterling B. Tebbett, David R. Bellwood
Summary: Algal turfs are a productive component of coral reef ecosystems, with depth being the primary driver of turf productivity rates and turnover mainly related to turf biomass. However, limited data availability and methodological constraints constrain our understanding of their productivity. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving our knowledge of algal turf dynamics on coral reefs.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nestor E. Bosch, Fernando Espino, Fernando Tuya, Ricardo Haroun, Lorenzo Bramanti, Francisco Otero-Ferrer
Summary: The degradation of shallow ecosystems has led to a need to study and understand the biodiversity and functioning of Mesophotic Ecosystems. However, most research has been limited to tropical regions and focused on species, neglecting other important aspects of biodiversity. By studying a subtropical island in the Atlantic Ocean, we found that fish communities in mesophotic black coral forests (BCFs) differed in functional structure compared to shallow reefs, indicating the importance of specific management and conservation strategies for preserving the unique biodiversity and functionality of mesophotic BCFs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Carolin Nieder, Chen-Pan Liao, Chen-Lu Lee, Kendall D. Clements, Shao-Lun Liu
Summary: The feeding interactions between coral reef fishes and the allelopathic macroalgae Galaxaura divaricata were observed, and it was found that the fishes targeted the nutrient-rich microscopic epiphytes on the surface of the algae rather than the algae itself. These observations substantiate the threat posed by the overgrowth of G. divaricata to coral recovery in degraded reef systems.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Shreya Yadav, Abdulla Fisam, Rachel Dacks, Joshua S. Madin, Alexander Mawyer
Summary: People's preferences and choices around food directly influence their resource use and the resilience of natural systems. The study found that reef fishes are now a significant part of local diets in the Maldives, with changing preferences potentially impacting reef ecosystems. Seasonal spikes in local catch and consumption of reef fishes, as well as an informal sharing network, were documented in the study.
Article
Soil Science
Ezequiel Koppe, Carlos Zandona Rupollo, Rosemar de Queiroz, Daniel Uteau Puschmann, Stephan Peth, Dalvan Reinert
Summary: The study evaluated the natural recovery of soil physical attributes in a clayey Oxisol under different intensities of dairy cattle grazing in southern Brazil. It was found that increased grazing intensity negatively affected soil physical quality, but increases in total porosity and macroporosity were observed 90 days after grazing exclusion.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nestor E. Bosch, Matthew McLean, Salvador Zarco-Perello, Scott Bennett, Rick D. Stuart-Smith, Adriana Verges, Albert Pessarrodona, Fernando Tuya, Tim Langlois, Claude Spencer, Sahira Bell, Benjamin J. Saunders, Euan S. Harvey, Thomas Wernberg
Summary: Extreme climatic events can reshape the functional structure of ecological communities and have potential flow-on effects on ecosystem functioning. This study examined the changes in the trait structure of herbivorous fish and their impact on herbivory-related functions and macroalgal recovery in a temperate reef system after an extreme marine heatwave. The results showed that the trait structure of the herbivorous fish assemblage shifted after the heatwave, leading to changes in herbivory roles and limited recovery of the ecosystem.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kim C. Zoeller, Georgina G. Gurney, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: This study aims to quantify the variation in cultural ecosystem service provision by birds to birders that is due to landscape-level attributes. The results show that biophysical attributes, particularly biome, vegetation type, and variance in elevation, significantly increased the percentage of variance explained in birder benefits from 57 to 65%. This demonstrates that birder benefits are derived from multi-level and multi-scale social and ecological interactions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
R. Grantham, J. Lau, D. J. Mills, G. S. Cumming
Summary: Small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in low-income countries. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of how these fisheries contribute to ecosystem benefits. This study investigates the allocation of seafood landings by households in relation to supply and season, revealing that households shape the pathways through which seafood contributes to food security. The findings highlight the importance of considering the seasonal context and livelihood priorities in sustainable management of small-scale fisheries.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: Coral reefs are heavily impacted by climate-induced disturbances, and the loss of coral reefs has a significant effect on people who rely on the ecosystem services they provide. However, the impacts of coral loss and the ability of individuals and businesses to adapt to it are not well understood, especially in the private sector. To address this gap, a survey was conducted among Australian reef tourism operators to understand their responses to severe bleaching and cyclone impacts. The results highlight the importance of response diversity, spatial heterogeneity, and learning for social-ecological resilience.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Chris Sandbrook, Martin Fisher, Graeme S. S. Cumming, Karl L. L. Evans, Jenny Anne Glikman, Brendan J. J. Godley, Frith Jarrad, Nicholas Polunin, Carolina Murcia, Angel Perez-Ruzafa, Judit K. K. Szabo
Review
Ecology
Robert P. Streit, David R. Bellwood
Summary: Functional traits can quantify an organism's ecology and predict ecosystem functions based on local communities. However, many functional traits seem to be characterized by availability and implied importance rather than ecological information content. It is necessary to identify functions of interest first and then identify traits as quantifiable proxies.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Political Science
Tiffany H. Morrison, Orjan Bodin, Graeme S. Cumming, Mark Lubell, Ralf Seppelt, Tim Seppelt, Christopher M. Weible
Summary: The success or failure of a polycentric system depends on complex political and social processes, such as coordination between actors and venues to solve specialized policy problems. However, there is currently no accepted method to isolate distinct coordination processes or understand how their variance affects polycentric governance performance. Researchers in Australia have developed and tested a building-blocks approach using different patterns or motifs to measure and compare coordination over time on the Great Barrier Reef. Their approach confirms that polycentric governance involves interdependent venues and actors that evolve over time, but mobilizing venues to improve issue specialization and actor participation can also fragment the overall capacity of polycentric governance to resolve conflicts and adapt to new problems. This building-blocks approach enhances understanding and practice of polycentric governance by enabling a more precise diagnosis of internal dynamics in complex environmental governance systems.
POLICY STUDIES JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs, Belinda Reyers, Ryan Blanchard, Hayley Clements, Jessica Cockburn, Graeme S. Cumming, Georgina Cundill, Alta de Vos, Luthando Dziba, Karen J. Esler, Christo Fabricius, Maike Hamann, Rebecka Henriksson, Karen Kotschy, Regina Lindborg, Linda Luvuno, Vanessa Masterson, Jeanne L. Nel, Patrick O'Farrell, Carolyn G. Palmer, Laura Pereira, Sharon Pollard, Rika Preiser, Dirk J. Roux, Robert J. Scholes, Odirilwe Selomane, Charlie Shackleton, Sheona Shackleton, Nadia Sitas, Jasper A. Slingsby, Marja Spierenburg, Maria Tengo
Summary: Sustainability-focused research networks and communities of practice are vital for capacity building and knowledge exchange in support of a more sustainable and equitable future. This paper reflects on the experiences of the Southern African Program on Ecosystem Change and Society (SAPECS) in building a community of practice on social-ecological systems research, with the aim of providing insights for the development of similar networks worldwide, particularly in the Global South.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Graeme S. Cumming, David R. Bellwood
Summary: Connectivity is crucial for the biodiversity and functioning of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. However, the understanding of the importance of connectivity and the corresponding management responses in marine systems is limited. This study used long-term fish monitoring data and geographic data to investigate the influences of local and regional factors on fish communities. The results show that both local and regional factors significantly contribute to the composition of fish communities, and management measures can also have an impact.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(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
Kim C. Zoeller, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: The global decline of ecological systems highlights the potential of ecosystem functions in conservation discourse. Understanding the relationship between ecological and cultural functions can provide insight into the correlation between cultural services and ecological functions. In South Africa, there is a clear correlation between avian cultural and ecological functional groups, indicating the strong correlation between cultural functions and ecologically relevant traits.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Lalu A. A. Bakti, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: The concept of adaptive capacity is increasingly being applied to understand and predict people's ability to adapt to climate change impacts. However, the reliability of adaptive capacity as a predictor of adaptation remains unclear, with insufficient and conflicting evidence. A study of reef tourism companies in the Asia-Pacific region found that a comprehensive measurement of adaptive capacity may not reliably predict potential adaptation to climate change, as the severity of impacts on individual operators was the major determinant of adaptive action.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sterling B. Tebbett, Jodie A. Schlaefer, Casey L. Bowden, William P. Collins, Christopher R. Hemingson, Scott D. Ling, Juliano Morais, Renato A. Morais, Alexandre C. Siqueira, Robert P. Streit, Sam Swan, David R. Bellwood
Summary: Sediments on coral reefs are influenced by the amount and movement of sediment in different reservoirs. However, research on reef sediment dynamics and their drivers is limited, especially on clear-water offshore reefs. Using quantification methods, this study examined sediment reservoirs/processes and bio-physical drivers in different reef habitats at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef. The findings showed that a significant amount of suspended sediment passed over the reef, but only a small portion settled. Spatial differences in sediment deposition and accumulation were observed, influenced by wave energy and reef geomorphology. These findings highlight the importance of local hydrodynamic conditions in determining sediment fate on coral reefs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Graeme S. Cumming, Zoe G. Davies, Joern Fischer, Reem Hajjar
Summary: This editorial examines the history of the conservation movement and acknowledges the ongoing influence of colonialism. It promotes a more inclusive and respectful approach to conservation that embraces traditional ecological knowledge and diverse conservation approaches. The article also emphasizes the need for theoretical advancements to guide conservation practices and bridge different areas of expertise to understand the interactions between society and nature.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amy L. Shurety, Orjan Bodin, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: The dynamics and adaptive capacity of social-ecological systems heavily rely on the system structure, which is established through geography, institutions, interactions, and movement. Different views on the system structure tend to emphasize either top-down or lateral connections. The concept of a heterarchy aims to capture both top-down and lateral connections, but it has not been fully operationalized for quantifying and comparing system structures. In this study, a simple approach was developed to consistently quantify heterarchical structure across different types of networks. The results show that different networks have distinct placements on the heterarchy matrix.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Kim C. Zoeller, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: Feedbacks between people and ecosystems are important in the study of social-ecological systems, but are not well understood. This study examined the effect of environmental change, specifically coral reef degradation, on the supply and demand of a cultural ecosystem service (CES) - recreation. The findings suggest that declines in coral cover reduced demand for recreational ecosystem services, but had no apparent effect on the benefits received from recreation. This highlights the importance of human culture and perception in understanding human responses to environmental change.