Demography and Population Dynamics of Massive Coral Communities in Adjacent High Latitude Regions (United Arab Emirates)

Foster, Kristi; Foster, Greg

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071049

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Previous demographic (e.g. [ 28 – 30 ]) and population genetics (e.g. [ 31 – 33 ]) studies of marine habitat-forming species have greatly contributed to their conservation and should be accounted for in marine conservation planning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Genetic and Demographic Data for the Conservation of a Mediterranean Marine Habitat-Forming Species

et al. 2015

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The integration of ecological and evolutionary data is highly valuable for conservation planning. However, it has been rarely used in the marine realm, where the adequate design of marine protected areas (MPAs) is urgently needed. Here, we examined the interacting processes underlying the patterns of genetic structure and demographic strucuture of a highly vulnerable Mediterranean habitat-forming species (i.e. Paramuricea clavata (Risso, 1826)), with particular emphasis on the processes of contemporary dispersal, genetic drift, and colonization of a new population. Isolation by distance and genetic discontinuities were found, and three genetic clusters were detected; each submitted to variations in the relative impact of drift and gene flow. No founder effect was found in the new population. The interplay of ecology and evolution revealed that drift is strongly impacting the smallest, most isolated populations, where partial mortality of individuals was highest. Moreover, the eco-evolutionary analyses entailed important conservation implications for P. clavata. Our study supports the inclusion of habitat-forming organisms in the design of MPAs and highlights the need to account for genetic drift in the development of MPAs. Moreover, it reinforces the importance of integrating genetic and demographic data in marine conservation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Genetic and Demographic Data for the Conservation of a Mediterranean Marine Habitat-Forming Species

et al. 2015

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“…Soto-Santiago et al (2017) showing a tendency for Orbicella annularis and Porites astreoides to remain in the same size class for longer periods of time rather than transitioning to larger size classes. Comparable rates of fission and fusion in mounding corals include < 5% in the Gulf of Oman (Foster & Foster 2013) and 1% and 6% in 2 sites in Australia (Babcock 1991). In fact, fission and multi-fate dynamics negatively affected growth in mounding colonies in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 48%

Coral reef assessments based on cover alone mask active dynamics of coral communities

Brito-Millán¹,

Vermeij²,

Alcantar³

et al. 2019

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Coral reef communities are often studied by tracking the percentage (or fraction) of the reef covered by coral through time. However, coral community dynamics result, in part, from underlying colony-level growth and mortality, which in turn depend on characteristics of individual colonies, such as size, taxon, life history strategy, and morphology. Colonies are also subject to external disturbances that propel fission into smaller coral fragments and fusion where related fragments later fuse into contiguous colonies. To quantify how changes in coral growth through time depend on individual colony characteristics and colony fission and fusion processes, 4385 individual Caribbean coral colonies representing 4 dominant coral types (Madracis mirabilis, mounding coral species, Agaricia agaricites, and Millepora spp.) were tracked at 6 mo intervals for 4 yr. Despite overall stable percent coral cover, colonies belonging to different coral types experienced differential growth, shrinkage, mortality, fission, and fusion processes. All coral types displayed size-dependent allometric growth patterns whereby relative, or proportional, growth in colony area decreased with increasing colony size. The largest changes in relative colony growth resulted from colony fission or fusion with other colonies, which occurred in 16.4% of all monitored colonies. Colony longevity, or survival, increased significantly with increasing colony size for all hard-coral groups that did not experience fission, fusion, or a combination of these processes. Our findings illustrate the usefulness of a size-and life-history-dependent approach to coral demography that elucidates the factors driving community dynamics of colonial organisms, which are not captured by traditional approaches based on benthic cover alone.

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“…As a result, urban settlement, inshore canalisation, oil extraction and shipping, there has been an increase in surface water temperatures, salinity, nutrient levels, sediment, resource harvesting and chemical pollution in recent years (AGEDI 2008, Al Shehhi et al 2014, Burt et al 2011, Burt 2014, Cheung et al 2012, Foster & Foster 2013, Ghaffour et al 2013, Grandcourt et al 2011, Sheppard et al 2010, Zhao & Ghedira 2014. The state of marine ecological assets has declined due to these pressures and recent indicators of these declines are, for example, the following:…”

Section: Background: Abu Dhabimentioning

confidence: 99%

The amenity value of Abu Dhabi's coastal and marine resources to its beach visitors

Blignaut

Mander²,

Inglesi‐Lotz

et al. 2016

Ecosystem Services

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Abu Dhabi, marketed as a centre of economic development in its geographic area during the post-oil era, is renowned for being a choice destination of high value individuals and tourists, due to its rich coastal and marine resources as well as the high quality of services. Outbreaks of harmful algae blooms (HAB) (red tides) due to increased eutrophication as a result of a decline in water quality, however, is posing a serious threat to the amenity values the tourist can appreciate. The amenity values include beach and ocean views, recreation and sport opportunities and facilities, as attractions, among others. To investigate the amenity value of the coastal and marine resources of Abu Dhabi to the beach visitors, we use a contingent valuation assessment after collecting data from a sample of 103 beach visitors. We conducted an econometric analysis to examine factors that potentially affect their behaviour. We determined firstly if the respondents were willing to accept compensation for visiting another beach in the event of an outbreak of HAB and its amount; or in another scenario if they would be willing to pay an annual fee, and its amount, for restoration and mitigation of the beach pollution.The results show that the beach amenity value, therefore, is estimated at between US$8.3million/ha and US$13.8million/ha based on the beach size. Factors such as the travel time from place of current 2 residence the beach, the residence status, the number of beach visits and household size and income have affected the willingness-to-accept (WTA) of the respondents. Highlights The importance of Abu Dhabi's coastal and marine resources and its amenity values are entrenched in various policy documents and declarations. The amenity value of the coastal and marine resources to the beach visitors of Abu Dhabi is estimated.

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Demography and Population Dynamics of Massive Coral Communities in Adjacent High Latitude Regions (United Arab Emirates)

Cited by 10 publications

References 34 publications

Combining Genetic and Demographic Data for the Conservation of a Mediterranean Marine Habitat-Forming Species

Combining Genetic and Demographic Data for the Conservation of a Mediterranean Marine Habitat-Forming Species

Coral reef assessments based on cover alone mask active dynamics of coral communities

The amenity value of Abu Dhabi's coastal and marine resources to its beach visitors

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