Review
Environmental Sciences
Alejandro Tagliafico, Paul Baker, Brendan Kelaher, Sophia Ellis, Daniel Harrison
Summary: This study reviews 91 years of research on the effects of shade and light on coral reefs. The researchers summarized the types of studies, locations, coral species, measured variables, and types of shade used.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher Doropoulos, George Roff
Summary: This study develops a novel method for colorizing large numbers of coral larvae, enabling research on their behavior and ecology, with potential applications for conservation planning and understanding patterns of connectivity.
Article
Environmental Studies
Timothy A. C. Lamont, Tries B. Razak, Rili Djohani, Noel Janetski, Saipul Rapi, Frank Mars, David J. Smith
Summary: In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion in the scale of coral reef restoration efforts in Indonesia. This article identifies ten different social, economic, and environmental approaches that have contributed to this scaling up, providing case studies from sixteen different Indonesian programs. These diverse approaches have increased the operational efficiency, spatial scale, speed of deployment, and social inclusivity of reef restoration in various contexts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kai I. Pacey, Ciemon F. Caballes, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Coral reefs are facing significant threats due to human activities, and extractive industries utilizing coral reef resources are under pressure to justify their environmental impact. In Australia, live scleractinian corals are harvested annually for the marine aquarium trade, but there is limited information on coral biomass in targeted stocks. This study establishes size-weight relationships for heavily targeted coral species in Australia, bridging the gap between catch reporting and stock assessments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Wei Huang, Ming Chen, Biao Song, Jiaqin Deng, Maocai Shen, Qiang Chen, Guangming Zeng, Jie Liang
Summary: Research on microplastic pollution in global coral reefs is lacking, and more studies are needed to understand the sources of microplastics and their interaction mechanisms with corals. The direct and indirect impacts of microplastics on coral species should be further investigated to address the potential risks from an ecosystem perspective.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jonathan Daly, Jessica Bouwmeester, Riley Perry, Chris Page, Kanav Khosla, Joseph Kangas, Claire Lager, Katherine Hardy, John C. C. Bischof, Mary Hagedorn
Summary: Coral reefs are threatened by climate change, leading to coral death and loss of genetic diversity. Efforts are being made to cryopreserve and biobank threatened populations, but limited to sperm and larvae. This study successfully recovered adult coral tissues using vitrification and nanowarming, providing a basis for developing a field-ready protocol for cryopreservation to prevent extinctions and support reef restoration.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
Tries B. Razak, Lisa Bostrom-Einarsson, Cut Aja Gita Alisa, Rindah Talitha Vida, Timothy A. C. Lamont
Summary: Indonesia's coral reefs have been severely damaged and restoration efforts lack consistent reporting. The government's policy encourages various organizations to implement reef restoration, but projects lack coordination and post-installation monitoring.
Article
Oceanography
Nami Okubo
Summary: Coral transplantation is widely conducted worldwide to restore coral reefs, but the survival rate of transplanted corals in Japan is mostly below 20% after 4 years, indicating various problems. Focus on the positive aspects of transplantation technology and neglect of the high mortality rate and costs have led to misconception and reclamation activities. Guidelines and advancements in technology are needed to prevent further loss and set realistic expectations.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Social Issues
Mark T. Gibbs
Summary: Coral reefs around the world are declining due to both local and global stressors, particularly ocean heat waves caused by increasing ocean temperatures. To address this issue, a global reef restoration sector is emerging with the goal of restoring coral reefs worldwide and increasing their resilience to climate change and other stressors. However, the challenge is immense and will require the development and application of new marine technologies in order to be realistically achieved.
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca J. Hobbs, Justine K. O'Brien, Line K. Bay, Andrea Severati, Rebecca Spindler, E. Michael Henley, Kate M. Quigley, Carly J. Randall, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Virginia Carter, Nikolas Zuchowicz, Mary Hagedorn, Jonathan Daly
Summary: In order to support the resilience and adaptation of coral reef ecosystems, active restoration or intervention programs will be necessary in the future. Selective propagation of corals ex situ can assist in conserving keystone species and their ecosystems, and cross-disciplinary research and communication between science and industry are crucial to success.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
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
Biodiversity Conservation
Hillary A. Smith, Stella E. Fulton, Ian M. Mcleod, Cathie A. Page, David G. Bourne
Summary: Manual removal of macroalgae can promote the recovery of inshore coral reefs and improve the composition of benthic reef organisms.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lorna Howlett, Emma F. Camp, John Edmondson, Russell Hosp, Ben Taylor, Philip Coulthard, David J. Suggett
Summary: Tourism-led stewardship projects in the Great Barrier Reef have implemented coral propagation and out-planting practices to improve ecosystem function. Benthic surveys conducted over a 24-month period showed significant increases in hard coral cover at some out-planting sites, particularly for commonly out-planted genera. Despite variations in coral community responses, this tourism-led approach has demonstrated potential for increasing hard coral cover through coral propagation.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Peter J. Edmunds
Summary: Recruitment hotspots are locations where organisms are added to populations at high rates. In low-density coral populations, recruitment hotspots are valuable targets for conservation and sources of corals for restoration.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Angela J. Dean, Kerrie A. Wilson
Summary: The loss and degradation of nature can lead to hopelessness and despair, but fostering hope and optimism can motivate engagement in conservation actions without undermining the recognition of conservation challenges. This finding is important for increasing conservation engagement.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Erik Meijaard, Douglas Sheil, Julie Sherman, Liana Chua, Safwanah Ni'matullah, Kerrie Wilson, Marc Ancrenaz, Darmawan Liswanto, Serge A. Wich, Benoit Goossens, Hjalmar S. Kuehl, Maria Voigt, Yaya Rayadin, Yuyun Kurniawan, Agus Trianto, Dolly Priatna, Graham L. Banes, Emily Massingham, John Payne, Andrew J. Marshall
Summary: This study evaluates the impacts of the Half-Earth and Whole-Earth conservation visions on the conservation of Bornean orangutans. The findings suggest that the Half-Earth approach is comparatively easier to achieve and is projected to result in an orangutan population of around 87% of its current size by 2032. The Whole-Earth approach, on the other hand, may lead to greater forest loss and ape killing, resulting in a prediction of only 44% of the current orangutan population by 2032.
Article
Ecology
Nataly Gutierrez-Isaza, Eugenia M. M. Sampayo, Catherine E. E. Lovelock, Steven J. J. Dalton, Carrie A. A. Sims, Selina Ward, John M. M. Pandolfi
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the role of temperature in latitudinal patterns of egg size and maternal investment trade-offs in coral taxa. A comprehensive global dataset was compiled, and Bayesian phylogenetic multilevel models were used to analyze the data. The results showed a significant relationship between coral egg size and symbiont transmission, but no significant relationship with sea surface temperature and fecundity for broadcast spawning corals. The findings have important implications for understanding population maintenance and connectivity in corals.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Martin Dahl, Kathryn McMahon, Paul S. Lavery, Serena H. Hamilton, Catherine E. Lovelock, Oscar Serrano
Summary: This study assessed the risk of CO2 emissions from seagrass soils caused by various threats and concluded that climate change threats have the highest risk at a global scale, while direct threats have the largest risk at a local scale. The study also emphasized the importance of immediate management actions to reduce soil CO2 emissions.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2023)
Review
Biology
Anazelia M. M. Tedesco, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Michelle L. Hak Hepburn, Khalil Walji, Kerrie A. A. Wilson, Hugh P. P. Possingham, Angela J. J. Dean, Nick Nugent, Katerina Elias-Trostmann, Katharina-Victoria Perez-Hammerle, Jonathan R. R. Rhodes
Summary: Forest restoration is a scalable nature-based solution that aims to achieve global environmental and socio-economic goals. Incentive mechanisms play a crucial role in promoting restoration success, but their impact is not well-understood. Socio-economic factors have a significant influence on implementation and program success, highlighting the importance of assessing and managing these factors.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin S. Halpern, Carl Boettiger, Michael C. Dietze, Jessica A. Gephart, Patrick Gonzalez, Nancy B. Grimm, Peter M. Groffman, Jessica Gurevitch, Sarah E. Hobbie, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Kristy J. Kroeker, Heather J. Lahr, David M. Lodge, Christopher J. Lortie, Julie S. S. Lowndes, Fiorenza Micheli, Hugh P. Possingham, Mary H. Ruckelshaus, Courtney Scarborough, Chelsea L. Wood, Grace C. Wu, Lina Aoyama, Eva E. Arroyo, Christie A. Bahlai, Erin E. Beller, Rachael E. Blake, Karrigan S. Bork, Trevor A. Branch, Norah E. M. Brown, Julien Brun, Emilio M. Bruna, Lauren B. Buckley, Jessica L. Burnett, Max C. N. Castorani, Samantha H. Cheng, Sarah C. Cohen, Jessica L. Couture, Larry B. Crowder, Laura E. Dee, Arildo S. Dias, Ignacio J. Diaz-Maroto, Martha R. Downs, Joan C. Dudney, Erle C. Ellis, Kyle A. Emery, Jacob G. Eurich, Bridget E. Ferriss, Alexa Fredston, Hikaru Furukawa, Sara A. Gagne, Sarah R. Garlick, Colin J. Garroway, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Angelica L. Gonzalez, Eliza M. Grames, Tamar Guy-Haim, Ed Hackett, Lauren M. Hallett, Tamara K. Harms, Danielle E. Haulsee, Kyle J. Haynes, Elliott L. Hazen, Rebecca M. Jarvis, Kristal Jones, Gaurav S. Kandlikar, Dustin W. Kincaid, Matthew L. Knope, Anil Koirala, Jurek Kolasa, John S. Kominoski, Julia Koricheva, Lesley T. Lancaster, Jake A. Lawlor, Heili E. Lowman, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Kari E. A. Norman, Nan Nourn, Casey C. O'Hara, Suzanne X. Ou, Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamino, Paula Pappalardo, Ryan A. Peek, Dominique Pelletier, Stephen Plont, Lauren C. Ponisio, Cristina Portales-Reyes, Diogo B. Provete, Eric J. Raes, Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Irene Ramos, Sydne Record, Anthony J. Richardson, Roberto Salguero-Gomez, Erin Satterthwaite, Chloe Schmidt, Aaron J. Schwartz, Craig R. See, Brendan D. Shea, Rachel S. Smith, Eric R. Sokol, Christopher T. Solomon, Trisha Spanbauer, Paris Stefanoudis, Beckett W. Sterner, Vitor Sudbrack, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Ashley R. Townes, Mireia Valle, Jonathan A. Walter, Kathryn Wheeler, William R. Wieder, David R. Williams, Marten Winter, Barbora Winterova, Lucy C. Woodall, Adam S. Wymore, Casey Youngflesh
Summary: Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science is important for improving understanding, advancing theory, identifying research priorities, and supporting management strategies. A virtual workshop with participants from different countries and disciplines was held to discuss how synthesis can address key questions and themes in the field in the next decade. Seven priority research topics and two issues regarding synthesis practices were identified, providing a strategic vision for future synthesis in ecology and environmental science.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robyn James, Jonathan R. B. Fisher, Chelsea Carlos-Grotjahn, Marissa S. Boylan, Baigalmaa Dembereldash, Meaza Z. Demissie, Crystal Diaz De Villegas, Bridget Gibbs, Ruth Konia, Kristen Lyons, Hugh Possingham, Cathy J. Robinson, Tiantian Tang, Nathalie Butt
Summary: Globally, women are underrepresented in addressing the climate and biodiversity loss crises. A survey among conservation and science staff at The Nature Conservancy revealed that men have more influence in conservation and science decision making, women face gender bias and multiple barriers in their conservation careers, and experience harassment and discrimination. Men perceive the sector as more equitable for women than women themselves. Gender equality does not eliminate systemic inequity, which can be exacerbated by intersectional issues. Recommendations include workplace and cultural change, recruitment improvements, pay transparency, and career development policies.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(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
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
Environmental Sciences
Micheli Duarte de Paula Costa, Maria Fernanda Adame, Catherine V. Bryant, Jack Hill, Jeffrey J. Kelleway, Catherine E. Lovelock, Anne Ola, Michael A. Rasheed, Cristian Salinas, Oscar Serrano, Nathan Waltham, Paul H. York, Mary Young, Peter Macreadie
Summary: Vegetated coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrasses, are effective in sequestering and storing carbon, making them valuable for climate change mitigation and adaptation. A study in Queensland, Australia estimated that the total sedimentary organic carbon stocks in the state were 569 +/- 98 Tg C, with the majority occurring in three regions. Protected areas in Queensland play a significant role in conserving these carbon assets in coastal wetlands.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(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
Ecology
Catherine E. Lovelock, Maria Fernanda Adame, Sabine Dittmann, Valerie Hagger, Sharyn M. Hickey, Lindsay I. Hutley, Alice Jones, Jeffrey J. Kelleway, Paul S. Lavery, Peter I. Macreadie, Damien T. Maher, Luke Mosley, Kerrylee Rogers, James Z. Sippo
Summary: The Blue Carbon Accounting Model (BlueCAM) is a tool for tidal restoration projects in the Australian carbon market. However, it does not subtract allochthonous carbon from estimated net abatement. Despite this, BlueCAM is transparent, conservative, feasible, and consistent with international guidelines and Australian standards.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alvise Dabala, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Daniel C. Dunn, Jason D. Everett, Catherine E. Lovelock, Jeffrey O. Hanson, Kristine Camille V. Buenafe, Sandra Neubert, Anthony J. Richardson
Summary: Anthropogenic activities pose a threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, current conservation efforts focus on biodiversity protection and overlook ecosystem services. This study demonstrates the importance of incorporating ecosystem services into protected area design, and highlights the potential benefits of strategic prioritization and coordination of mangrove conservation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)