A generalized light‐driven model of community transitions along coral reef depth gradients

Laverick, Jack H.; Tamir, Raz; Eyal, Gal; Loya, Yossi

doi:10.1111/geb.13140

Cited by 48 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 66 publications

(155 reference statements)

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“…Light attenuation curves demonstrated that downwelling irradiance was rapid at both sites (Kd PAR : 0.49-0.57 m −1 ), but also highly responsive to localized conditions on reefs (Figure 4). The values of Kd PAR we observed on Singapore's reefs far exceeded global values from a wide geographic range of clear-water reef settings (0.045-0.071 m −1 ; see Laverick et al, 2020), as well as those from other turbid reef environments (0.08-0.11 m −1 at the Abrolhos complex, Brazil; Freitas et al, 2019). These values were primarily attributed to high suspended sediment in the water, which was compounded by the dominance of dark-colored siliciclastic particles that absorb light more effectively than lighter (in color) carbonate sediments (Storlazzi et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…Below Zd min , hard coral assemblages transition to non-phototrophic sponge and gorgonian communities with limited reef-building potential (Supplementary Figure 1). For comparison, a recent global analysis showed that transitions to mesophotic coral ecosystems typically occurred between 36.1 ± 5.6 m (shallowupper mesophotic) and 61.9 ± 9.6 m (upper-lower mesophotic) (Laverick et al, 2020). Our time series of light analysis provides additional support for the classification of turbid reefs as "shallow-water mesophotic reefs" (sensu , because despite their shallow depth (<10 m) these reefs share key characteristics in both light conditions and ecological communities, where light limitation is the major driver structuring benthic assemblages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Light Limitation and Depth-Variable Sedimentation Drives Vertical Reef Compression on Turbid Coral Reefs

et al. 2020

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Turbid coral reefs experience high suspended sediment loads and low-light conditions that vertically compress the maximum depth of reef growth. Although vertical reef compression is hypothesized to further decrease available coral habitat as environmental conditions on reefs change, its causative processes have not been fully quantified. Here, we present a high-resolution time series of environmental parameters known to influence coral depth distribution (light, turbidity, sedimentation, currents) within reef crest (2–3 m) and reef slope (7 m) habitats on two turbid reefs in Singapore. Light levels on reef crests were low [mean daily light integral (DLI): 13.9 ± 5.6 and 6.4 ± 3.0 mol photons m–2 day–1 at Kusu and Hantu, respectively], and light differences between reefs were driven by a 2-fold increase in turbidity at Hantu (typically 10–50 mg l–1), despite its similar distance offshore. Light attenuation was rapid (KdPAR: 0.49–0.57 m–1) resulting in a shallow euphotic depth of <11 m, and daily fluctuations of up to 8 m. Remote sensing indicates a regional west-to-east gradient in light availability and turbidity across southern Singapore attributed to spatial variability in suspended sediment, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter. Net sediment accumulation rates were ∼5% of gross rates on reefs (9.8–22.9 mg cm–2 day–1) due to the resuspension of sediment by tidal currents, which contribute to the ecological stability of reef crest coral communities. Lower current velocities on the reef slope deposit ∼4 kg m2 more silt annually, and result in high soft-sediment benthic cover. Our findings confirm that vertical reef compression is driven from the bottom-up, as the photic zone contracts and fine silt accumulates at depth, reducing available habitat for coral growth. Assuming no further declines in water quality, future sea level rise could decrease the depth distribution of these turbid reefs by a further 8–12%. This highlights the vulnerability of deeper coral communities on turbid reefs to the combined effects of both local anthropogenic inputs and climate-related impacts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light Limitation and Depth-Variable Sedimentation Drives Vertical Reef Compression on Turbid Coral Reefs

et al. 2020

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“…S2 online). Light at bottom integrates depth and turbidity in a single and ecologically meaningful variable, and captures the major ecological features across coral reef depth gradients 14 , 31 . The effects of light at bottom over reef fishes seems to be largely indirect and associated with trophic (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…grazing and predation on small invertebrates) and non-trophic (e.g. shelter from predators) connections with the benthos 31 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The exclusive and frequent occurrence of the endangered Caribbean reef sharks ( Carcharhinus perezi ) within the ANMP adds to the positive effects of the enforced no-take status of this area. Rhodolith beds became the most important reef fishing grounds in the Abrolhos shelf since the 1980s, following the overfishing of inshore reefs 12 , 31 . However, besides being rarely targeted by enforcement operations, which should regularly restrain illegal fishing gear (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tropical rhodolith beds are a major and belittled reef fish habitat

Moura

Abieri

Castro

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Understanding habitat-level variation in community structure provides an informed basis for natural resources’ management. Reef fishes are a major component of tropical marine biodiversity, but their abundance and distribution are poorly assessed beyond conventional SCUBA diving depths. Based on a baited-video survey of fish assemblages in Southwestern Atlantic’s most biodiverse region we show that species composition responded mainly to the two major hard-bottom megahabitats (reefs and rhodolith beds) and to the amount of light reaching the bottom. Both megahabitats encompassed typical reef fish assemblages but, unexpectedly, richness in rhodolith beds and reefs was equivalent. The dissimilar fish biomass and trophic structure in reefs and rhodolith beds indicates that these systems function based on contrasting energy pathways, such as the much lower herbivory recorded in the latter. Rhodolith beds, the dominant benthic megahabitat in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic shelf, play an underrated role as fish habitats, and it is critical that they are considered in conservation planning.

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Does depth divide? Variable genetic connectivity patterns among shallow and mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa coral populations across the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean

Sturm,

Eckert,

Carreiro

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Despite general declines in coral reef ecosystems in the tropical western Atlantic, some reefs, including mesophotic reefs (30–150 m), are hypothesized to function as coral refugia due to their relative isolation from anthropogenic stressors. Understanding the connectivity dynamics among these putative refugia and more degraded reefs is critical to develop effective management strategies that promote coral metapopulation persistence and recovery. This study presents a geographically broad assessment of shallow (<30 m) and mesophotic (>30 m) connectivity dynamics of the depth‐generalist coral species Montastraea cavernosa. Over 750 coral genets were collected across the Northwest and Southern Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Cuba, and Belize, and ~5000 SNP loci were generated to quantify high‐resolution genetic structure and connectivity among these populations. Generally, shallow and mesophotic populations demonstrated higher connectivity to distant populations within the same depth zone than to adjacent populations across depth zones. However, exceptions to this pattern include the Northwest Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys which exhibited relatively high vertical genetic connectivity. Furthermore, estimates of recent gene flow emphasize that mesophotic M. cavernosa populations are not significant sources for their local shallow counterparts, except for the Northwest Gulf of Mexico populations. Location‐based differences in vertical connectivity are likely a result of diverse oceanographic and environmental conditions that may drive variation in gene flow and depth‐dependent selection. These results highlight the need to evaluate connectivity dynamics and refugia potential of mesophotic coral species on a population‐by‐population basis and to identify stepping‐stone populations that warrant incorporation in future international management approaches.

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A generalized light‐driven model of community transitions along coral reef depth gradients

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 48 publications

References 66 publications

Light Limitation and Depth-Variable Sedimentation Drives Vertical Reef Compression on Turbid Coral Reefs

Light Limitation and Depth-Variable Sedimentation Drives Vertical Reef Compression on Turbid Coral Reefs

Tropical rhodolith beds are a major and belittled reef fish habitat

Does depth divide? Variable genetic connectivity patterns among shallow and mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa coral populations across the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean

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