Caribbean mesophotic coral ecosystems are unlikely climate change refugia

Smith, Tyler B.; Gyory, Joanna; Brandt, Marilyn E.; Miller, William J.; Jossart, Jonathan; Nemeth, Richard S.

doi:10.1111/gcb.13175

Cited by 137 publications

(147 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Our findings of reduced reproductive performance combined with the possible narrower tolerance to environmental changes (Smith et al. ) suggest that MCEs may be more vulnerable than previously conceived, and it may well be that their response to climate change is merely delayed, but will ensue, sooner or later.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…, Wooldridge , Smith et al. ). This may be particularly true for marginal populations that exist on the edge of a species’ range (Brown et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), recent studies have suggested that the DRRH may be site‐ and species‐specific, and should not be comprehended as an ecosystem‐wide phenomenon (Smith et al. , Bongaerts et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Can mesophotic reefs replenish shallow reefs? Reduced coral reproductive performance casts a doubt

Shlesinger

Grinblat

Rapuano

et al. 2018

Ecology

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Mesophotic coral ecosystems (i.e., deep coral reefs at 30-120 m depth) appear to be thriving while many shallow reefs in the world are declining. Amid efforts to understand and manage their decline, it was suggested that mesophotic reefs might serve as natural refuges and a possible source of propagules for the shallow reefs. However, our knowledge of how reproductive performance of corals alters with depth is sparse. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the reproductive phenology, fecundity, and abundance of seven reef-building conspecific corals in shallow and mesophotic habitats. Significant differences were found in the synchrony and timing of gametogenesis and spawning between shallow and mesophotic coral populations. Thus, mesophotic populations exhibited delayed or protracted spawning events, which led to spawning of the mesophotic colonies in large proportions at times where the shallow ones had long been depleted of reproductive material. All species investigated demonstrated a substantial reduction in fecundity and/or oocyte sizes at mesophotic depths (40-60 m). Two species (Seriatopora hystrix and Galaxea fascicularis) displayed a reduction in both fecundity and oocyte size at mesophotic depths. Turbinaria reniformis had only reduced fecundity and Acropora squarrosa and Acropora valida only reduced oocyte size. In Montipora verrucosa, reduced fecundity was found during one annual reproductive season while, in the following year, only reduced oocyte size was found. In contrast, reduced oocyte size in mesophotic populations of Acropora squarrosa was consistent along three studied years. One species, Acropora pharaonis, was found to be infertile at mesophotic depths along two studied years. This indicates that reproductive performance decreases with depth; and that although some species are capable of reproducing at mesophotic depths, their contribution to the replenishment of shallow reefs may be inconsequential. Reduced reproductive performance with depth, combined with the possible narrower tolerance to environmental factors, further suggests that mesophotic corals may in fact be more vulnerable than previously conceived. Furthermore, we posit that the observed temporal segregation in reproduction could lead to assortative mating, and this, in turn, may facilitate adaptive divergence across depth.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…, Wooldridge , Smith et al. ). This may be particularly true for marginal populations that exist on the edge of a species’ range (Brown et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Can mesophotic reefs replenish shallow reefs? Reduced coral reproductive performance casts a doubt

Shlesinger

Grinblat

Rapuano

et al. 2018

Ecology

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“…However, this bleaching pattern is not always observed; for example, with deeper corals in the Seychelles bleaching first, and more severely, than shallow corals during the 1997-1998 bleaching event (Spencer et al, 2000). Smith et al (2016) demonstrated that deep (30-75 m) coral reefs have lower bleaching threshold temperatures than shallow-reefs, and that any increase in temperature above the local mean can result in stress and bleaching. Furthermore, deepwater generally has lower pH and arag than shallow-water, complicating the ability of these systems to act as refugia.…”

Section: Mesophotic Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Future of Coral Reefs Subject to Rapid Climate Change: Lessons from Natural Extreme Environments

et al. 2018

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Global climate change and localized anthropogenic stressors are driving rapid declines in coral reef health. In vitro experiments have been fundamental in providing insight into how reef organisms will potentially respond to future climates. However, such experiments are inevitably limited in their ability to reproduce the complex interactions that govern reef systems. Studies examining coral communities that already persist under naturally-occurring extreme and marginal physicochemical conditions have therefore become increasingly popular to advance ecosystem scale predictions of future reef form and function, although no single site provides a perfect analog to future reefs. Here we review the current state of knowledge that exists on the distribution of corals in marginal and extreme environments, and geographic sites at the latitudinal extremes of reef growth, as well as a variety of shallow reef systems and reef-neighboring environments (including upwelling and CO 2 vent sites). We also conduct a synthesis of the abiotic data that have been collected at these systems, to provide the first collective assessment on the range of extreme conditions under which corals currently persist. We use the review and data synthesis to increase our understanding of the biological and ecological mechanisms that facilitate survival and success under sub-optimal physicochemical conditions. This comprehensive assessment can begin to: (i) highlight the extent of extreme abiotic scenarios under which corals can persist, (ii) explore whether there are commonalities in coral taxa able to persist in such extremes, (iii) provide evidence for key mechanisms required to support survival and/or persistence under sub-optimal environmental conditions, and (iv) evaluate the potential of current sub-optimal coral environments to act as potential refugia under changing environmental conditions. Such a collective approach is critical to better understand the future survival of corals in our changing environment. We finally outline priority areas for future research on extreme and marginal coral environments, and discuss the additional management options they may provide for corals through refuge or by providing genetic stocks of stress tolerant corals to support proactive management strategies.

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“…The upper MCEs may represent a transitional zone containing species specialised for both the shallows and lower MCEs. This may mean MCEs require protection across their whole range to capture distinct assemblages as these reefs are subject to their own pressures [26].…”

Section: Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest?

et al. 2016

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Background: Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are tropical and sub-tropical reefs between 30 m and potentially >150 m depth, the maximum for photosynthetic hard corals. The definition's upper boundary is ecologically arbitrary. Recently, research has focused on the deep reef refugia hypothesis suggesting MCEs can be protected from shallow-water threats, potentially acting as a local source for re-colonisation of shallow reefs. This led to recent calls to increase their protection. It remains unclear whether the current MCE definition reflects changing biodiversity with depth, and so whether protecting MCEs based on this definition will protect shallow reef species. We ask where shifts in ecological community structure occur across the shallow-mesophotic depth gradient. We consider to what extent MCEs as currently defined protect shallow reef taxa. Research on coral reef depth gradients has a long history. Research relevant to MCEs has been published under a variety of terms. We will use the systematic review framework to collect older data sources, increasing accessibility by depositing the meta-data in an online library for researchers and managers. Methods:A systematic review will be conducted, searching online databases, grey literature and personal libraries of experts. The primary question was formulated after consulting an advisory committee. Inclusion criteria discriminate among studies by sampling depths and community data. Critical appraisal of studies will consider key criteria concerning internal validity. We shall identify where more biodiversity and community-level data are required, determined by whether a meta-analysis is possible. Considering how to structure a meta-analysis once community metric and variability data have been collected will help to advise future data collection. Provided enough data are extracted, we shall conduct a meta-analysis examining changes in species richness, abundance and biomass across the depth gradient. If ecological community level data are present, we shall conduct an additional meta-analysis looking at community turnover with depth.

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Caribbean mesophotic coral ecosystems are unlikely climate change refugia

Cited by 137 publications

References 36 publications

Can mesophotic reefs replenish shallow reefs? Reduced coral reproductive performance casts a doubt

Can mesophotic reefs replenish shallow reefs? Reduced coral reproductive performance casts a doubt

The Future of Coral Reefs Subject to Rapid Climate Change: Lessons from Natural Extreme Environments

To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest?

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