Herbivory, Connectivity, and Ecosystem Resilience: Response of a Coral Reef to a Large-Scale Perturbation

Adam, Thomas C.; Schmitt, Russell J.; Holbrook, Sally J.; Brooks, Andrew J.; Edmunds, Peter J.; Carpenter, Robert C.; Bernardi, Giacomo

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0023717

Cited by 242 publications

(242 citation statements)

References 57 publications

(69 reference statements)

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“…For example, von der Heyden (2011) suggests that most cryptic fish species in southern Africa would belong to the western Indian Ocean fish fauna rather than the cool-temperate Atlantic.…”

Section: Species Identificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The application of genetics to marine management and conservation: examples from the Indo-Pacific

Heyden¹,

Beger²,

Toonen³

et al. 2014

BMS

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ABSTRACT.-Molecular tools and analyses have played pivotal roles in uncovering the processes and patterns of biodiversity in the Indian and Pacific oceans. However, integrating genetic results into management and conservation objectives has been challenging, with few examples that show practical applicability. This review aims to address some of the perceived barriers to an enhanced approach that integrates molecular data into management and conservation goals, by reviewing papers relevant to both conservation and fisheries management in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with respect to phylogeography, connectivity, and species identification, as well as stock delineation, restoration of depleted wild stocks, mislabeled marine resources and "molecular forensics." We also highlight case studies from each of these areas that illustrate how molecular analyses are relevant to conservation and management in the IndoPacific, spanning a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species. We discuss the application of genetic data to the design and evaluation of the effectiveness of marine protected area networks, stock delineation, and restoration and the usage of exclusion tests and parentage analyses for fisheries management. We conclude that there is a distinct need for increasing public awareness and ownership of genetically unique lineages and, ultimately, the increased inclusion of genetic research into management policy and conservation. Finally, we make a case for the importance of clear and effective communication for promoting public awareness, public ownership, and for achieving conservation goals within the region.

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“…For example, von der Heyden (2011) suggests that most cryptic fish species in southern Africa would belong to the western Indian Ocean fish fauna rather than the cool-temperate Atlantic.…”

Section: Species Identificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The application of genetics to marine management and conservation: examples from the Indo-Pacific

Heyden¹,

Beger²,

Toonen³

et al. 2014

BMS

Self Cite

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“…Disturbances in the last decade caused a decline in coral cover on the outer reef of Moorea from ~40% in 2005 to < 5% in 2010 (Adam et al 2011), as well as a shift in coral community composition (Adjeroud et al 2009). With an increase in reef stressors and a decrease in coral abundance, the role that corallivory plays in influencing coral reef community dynamics may be more complex than previously expected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of simulated fish predation on small colonies of massive Porites spp. and Pocillopora meandrina

Cameron¹,

Edmunds²

2014

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The effects of corallivory on small colonies of massive Porites spp. (< 5 cm diameter) and Pocillopora meandrina (< 7 cm high) were explored in situ on shallow reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that corals respond equally to damage caused by single bites of fishes belonging to 3 functional feeding guilds defined as excavators, scrapers, and browsers, which damage corals in different ways. While recovering from damage, massive Porites spp. grew 24 to 43% faster by weight than P. meandrina, and lesions caused by scraping and browsing healed more rapidly on P. meandrina than on massive Porites spp.; lesions caused by excavation healed more rapidly on massive Porites spp. than on P. meandrina. These results suggest that the effects of fish corallivores differ between coral taxa, with the contrasting effects potentially arising from differences in skeletal structure, corallum morphology, and mode of corallivore feeding.

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“…The produced maps do not quantify coral reef resilience per se, as we do not have time series data spanning reef ecosystem response to acute or chronic disturbance (e.g., [80]) from which to calibrate and validate the models. Instead, the maps quantify selected aspects of the local reef community that are likely to confer resilience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping Coral Reef Resilience Indicators Using Field and Remotely Sensed Data

et al. 2013

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Abstract:In the face of increasing climate-related impacts on coral reefs, the integration of ecosystem resilience into marine conservation planning has become a priority. One strategy, including resilient areas in marine protected area (MPA) networks, relies on information on the spatial distribution of resilience. We assess the ability to model and map six indicators of coral reef resilience-stress-tolerant coral taxa, coral generic diversity, fish herbivore biomass, fish herbivore functional group richness, density of juvenile corals and the cover of live coral and crustose coralline algae. We use high spatial resolution satellite data to derive environmental predictors and use these in random forest models, with field observations, to predict resilience indicator values at unsampled locations. Predictions are compared with those obtained from universal kriging and from a baseline model. Prediction errors are estimated using cross-validation, and the ability to map each resilience indicator is quantified as the percentage reduction in prediction error compared to the baseline model. Results are most promising (percentage reduction = 18.3%) for mapping the cover of live coral and crustose coralline algae and least promising (percentage reduction = 0%) for coral diversity. Our study has demonstrated one approach to map indicators of coral reef resilience. In the context of MPA network planning, the potential to consider reef resilience in addition to habitat and feature representation in decision-support software now exists, allowing planners

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Herbivory, Connectivity, and Ecosystem Resilience: Response of a Coral Reef to a Large-Scale Perturbation

Cited by 242 publications

References 57 publications

The application of genetics to marine management and conservation: examples from the Indo-Pacific

The application of genetics to marine management and conservation: examples from the Indo-Pacific

Effects of simulated fish predation on small colonies of massive Porites spp. and Pocillopora meandrina

Mapping Coral Reef Resilience Indicators Using Field and Remotely Sensed Data

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