Coral reef geomorphology as a function of seasonal prevailing currents and larval dispersal

Sammarco, Paul W.; Andrews, John C.; Risk, Michael J.

doi:10.1016/0031-0182(91)90011-f

Cited by 19 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Many variables affect larval dispersal including regional geography, bathymetry and hydrodynamics (e.g. Sammarco et al 1991, Black 1993, predator density (Fitzhardinge 1985) and various larval characteristics (as reviewed in Pineda et al 2007Pineda et al , 2010, making it difficult to generalize connectivity patterns (Cowen & Sponaugle 2009); hence, question-and site-specific studies need to be conducted at appropriate spatial scales and time frames if reliable predictions are to be made. In Singapore, we are interested in strategizing coastal resource management efforts to suit the needs of a country undergoing rapid economic development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating the transport of broadcast coral larvae among the Southern Islands of Singapore

Tay¹,

Todd

Rosshaug

et al. 2012

Aquat. Biol.

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Singapore's coral reefs have experienced significant anthropogenic impacts for at least 4 decades. Ongoing reef restoration efforts, however, may not be sustainable if there is no natural coral recruitment. Knowledge of coral reef connectivity, which can be identified using hydrodynamic-advection and individual-based models, can help inform reef management decisions. Here, a 2-dimensional, hydrodynamic, flexible mesh model (MIKE 21 FM) coupled with a Lagrangian particle-tracking module was used to simulate larval transport among Singapore's Southern Islands. In each simulation, neutrally buoyant, passive particles representing coral planulae were released into the hydrodynamic conditions present during the coral multi-species synchronous spawning event of April 2007. When the number of larvae released was proportional to live coral cover (between 2400 and 46 200 particles), 3 islands: Pulau Sudong, Pulau Pawai and Pulau Senang, which all lie within a military Live Firing Area, were identified as the most robust sources of larvae seeding the rest of the Southern Islands. However, when equal numbers of larvae (18 000 larvae per site) were released from all sites in an effort to identify nursery areas with the greatest potential to seed other reefs, 2 different and upstream islands, Sisters' Islands and Kusu Island, were found to be better sources of larvae. We suggest all 5 of these sites should be identified for conservation. Additional effort to enhance coral cover, and hence larval export, at Sisters' Islands and Kusu Island may help increase recruitment on downstream reefs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating the transport of broadcast coral larvae among the Southern Islands of Singapore

Tay¹,

Todd

Rosshaug

et al. 2012

Aquat. Biol.

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“…Visible surface aggregations (coral spawn slicks) can form from the coral eggs and embryos as a consequence of local hydrodynamic features such as fronts between water parcels, and wakes and eddies behind a reef (Oliver & Willis 1987, Willis & Oliver 1990. Coral eggs and slicks are transported to other reefs by wind and currents (Wolanski et al 1989, Sammarco et al 1991 or stay within the same reef due to self-seeding patterns (Andrews et al 1989, Wolanski et al 1989.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid recycling of coral mass-spawning products in permeable reef sediments

Wild¹,

Tollrian²,

Huettel³

2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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During the annual synchronous release of gametes by corals, a large amount of energyrich organic material is released to the reef environment. In November 2001, we studied a minor spawning event at Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Laboratory experiments showed that egg release by the staghorn coral Acropora millepora amounted to 19 ± 15 g dry mass (mean ± SE, n = 8) per m 2 coral surface. Carbon content reached 60.1 ± 4.0% and nitrogen content 3.6 ± 0.4% of the egg dry mass. During this minor spawning period, Acropora corals from the reef crest released 7 g C and 0.4 g N as eggs m -2 reef. In situ experiments (n = 11) using stirred benthic chamber measurements revealed that the sedimentary O 2 consumption (SOC) of the lagoon sediments increased sharply immediately after the coral spawning. Extreme SOC rates of 230 mmol O 2 m -2 d -1 were reached 2 d after the event, exceeding the pre-spawning rate by a factor of 2.5. This maximum was followed by a steep decrease in SOC rates that gradually levelled off and reached prespawning values 11 d after the event. The immediate and strong response of SOC shows that the coral spawning event provides a strong food impulse to the benthic food chain. Our results demonstrate high decomposition efficiency of permeable carbonate reef sands and underline the role of these sediments as a biocatalytical recycling system in the oligotrophic reef environment.

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“…Panels including recirculation (Black 1988, Sammarco & were attached horizontally in pairs to steel racks with Andrews 1989, Sammarco et al 1991) Biological influthe unglazed tile surface downwards, for periods of 4 to ences such as predation of larvae may also operate in 8 mo during winter (March to October approx.) and some circumstances (Young 1988) and the nature of summer (October to March approx.).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latitudinal variation in patterns of colonisation of cryptic calcareous marine organisms

Nj¹,

Vj²,

Sa³

1997

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Few studies of fouling communities have directly compared colonisation patterns over wide geographical scales in similar community types. In this study, the recruitment and early growth of calcareous cryptic fouling organisms were examined on settlement panels at 2 tropical and 2 subtropical locations at varying distances from the mainland in eastern Australia. Species diversity and cover on the settlement panels after 6 mo were higher at the subtropical inshore site than at any of the offshore or tropical sites. Classification of the sites by multivariate cluster analysis and ordination showed clear distinctions between inshore and offshore sites, while sites separated by approximately 14' of latitude were less clearly distinguished. lnshore/offshore vanation in the physical environment, especially turbidity and eutrophication, and the effects of longshore currents in the regions are possible explanations for these patterns. There was a significantly higher weight of calcified material at the subtropical inshore site than at the other 3 sites, attributable to higher cover of both bryozoans and barnacles; these taxa are likely to make a sign~ficant contribution to community calcification rates in subtropical coral communities. Competition for space with encrusting species is proposed as a potential mechanism limiting coral recruitment in coastal subtropical eastern Australia.

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Coral reef geomorphology as a function of seasonal prevailing currents and larval dispersal

Cited by 19 publications

References 17 publications

Simulating the transport of broadcast coral larvae among the Southern Islands of Singapore

Simulating the transport of broadcast coral larvae among the Southern Islands of Singapore

Rapid recycling of coral mass-spawning products in permeable reef sediments

Latitudinal variation in patterns of colonisation of cryptic calcareous marine organisms

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