Latitudinal variation in coral communities in eastern Australia: a qualitative biophysical model of factors regulating coral reefs

Harriott, V. J.; Banks, Simon A.

doi:10.1007/s00338-001-0201-x

Cited by 151 publications

(143 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The Solitary Islands contain the last diverse coral assemblages on the east Australian coast with ~115 scleractinian species (Harriott et al 1994), and Lord Howe Island has the southernmost fringing reef in the Pacific with ~65 species in 33 genera (Veron 1993). High latitude corals experience lower mean annual sea surface temperatures (SST) and lower aragonite saturation states, both of which are likely to result in reduced growth and fecundity (Kleypas et al 1999, Harriott & Banks 2002, potentially making these populations reliant on recolonization by larvae from tropical waters (Veron & Done 1979). However, corals at high latitudes do reproduce (see summary in Fellegara et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The reproductive biology of the scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipora in Sydney Harbour, Australia

Madsen¹,

Madin²,

Tan³

et al. 2014

Sex. Early. Dev. Aquat. Org.

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The scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipora occurs throughout most of the IndoPacific; however, the species is only abundant in temperate regions, including Sydney Harbour, in New South Wales, Australia, where it can be the dominant sessile organism over small spatial scales. Population genetics indicates that the Sydney Harbour population is highly isolated, suggesting long-term persistence will depend upon on the local production of recruits. To determine the potential role of sexual reproduction in population persistence, we examined a number of features of the reproductive biology of P. versipora for the first time, including the sexual system, the length of the gametogenetic cycles and size-specific fecundity. P. versipora was gonochoric, supporting recent molecular work removing the species from the Family Merulinidae, in which the species are exclusively hermaphroditic. The oogenic cycle was between 13 and 14 mo and the spermatogenetic cycle between 7 and 8 mo, with broadcast spawning inferred to occur in either January or February. Colony sex was strongly influenced by colony size: the probability of being male increased with colony area. The longer oogenic cycle suggests that females are investing energy in reproduction rather than growth, and consequently, males are on average larger for a given age. Alternatively, colonies may change sex from female to male as they grow. In contrast, per polyp fecundity did not vary with colony size. We conclude that the Sydney Harbour population is reproductively active and therefore has the potential to maintain current levels of abundance even without an external supply of propagules.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The reproductive biology of the scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipora in Sydney Harbour, Australia

Madsen¹,

Madin²,

Tan³

et al. 2014

Sex. Early. Dev. Aquat. Org.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A number of factors have been proposed to explain the absence of coral reefs in subtropical latitudes including water temperature, light availability, competition with macroalgae and reduced growth rates (reviewed by Harriott & Banks 2002). In particular it has been suggested that cooler water temperatures experienced at these regions inhibit sexual reproduction of corals, and therefore maintenance of coral populations will be dependent on the influx of recruits from tropical regions (Wells 1957, Veron 1974.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spawning patterns of scleractinian corals at the Solitary Islands-a high latitude coral community in eastern Australia

Wilson¹,

Harrison²

2003

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The timing and synchrony of reproduction in scleractinian corals varies greatly among geographic locations, along latitudinal gradients, and among regions. On the east coast of Australia, there are extensive subtropical coral communities within the Solitary Islands Marine Park (30°S). From 1994 to 1996, the pattern of reproduction was studied in 27 species from 10 genera of broadcast spawning scleractinian corals. Spawning periods were determined directly from observations of 4 species that spawned in aquaria, and indirectly from repeated sampling of 236 tagged field colonies by noting the disappearance of mature gametes. Evidence of sexual reproduction was observed in 24 coral species, and gametes were released annually from December to April. Spawning periods were staggered among species and among colonies within some species. Spawning in massive species was generally more synchronous and predictable than for acroporid species. Massive coral species spawned from 8 to 12 nights after a full moon, whereas there was no obvious lunar periodicity of spawning among acroporid corals. This asynchronous pattern of reproduction contrasts with the highly synchronous spawning of more than 140 coral species during mass spawning periods on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in October to December each year. The delay in the timing of coral spawning at the Solitary Islands compared with the GBR coincides with the delayed rise in sea temperatures in the subtropics. In addition, the highly variable nature of sea temperatures at the Solitary Islands around the time of gamete maturation and spawning may account for the less synchronous pattern of reproduction in this high-latitude coral community.

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“…In South Florida and Puerto Rico, the projected GHG reductions associated with the two policy scenarios appear insufficient to avoid multiple bleaching and mortality events by 2020. Multiple bleaching events within a short time period are projected to lead to coral reefs with a coral cover level likely too low to support local recruitment and the accumulation of endogenous carbonate (e.g., Harriott and Banks 2002). A recent study suggests that even in the absence of bleaching, intrinsic growth rates of coral in the Caribbean have slowed considerably compared to historical averages, further restricting the ability of corals to recover from bleaching and mortality events (Perry et al 2013).…”

Section: Coral Reef Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change impacts on freshwater fish, coral reefs, and related ecosystem services in the United States

et al. 2014

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We analyzed the potential physical and economic impacts of climate change on freshwater fisheries and coral reefs in the United States, examining a reference case and two policy scenarios that limit global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We modeled shifts in suitable habitat for three freshwater fish guilds and changes in coral reef cover for three regions. We estimated resulting economic impacts from projected changes in recreational fishing and changes in recreational use of coral reefs. In general, coldwater fisheries are projected to be replaced by less desirable fisheries over the 21st century, but these impacts are reduced under the GHG mitigation scenarios. Similarly, coral cover is projected to decline over the 21st century primarily due to multiple bleaching events, but the GHG mitigation scenarios delay these declines in Hawaii (but not in South Florida or Puerto Rico). Using a benefit-transfer approach, we estimated that global policies limiting GHG emissions would Climatic Change (2015) 131:143-157

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Latitudinal variation in coral communities in eastern Australia: a qualitative biophysical model of factors regulating coral reefs

Cited by 151 publications

References 54 publications

The reproductive biology of the scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipora in Sydney Harbour, Australia

The reproductive biology of the scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipora in Sydney Harbour, Australia

Spawning patterns of scleractinian corals at the Solitary Islands-a high latitude coral community in eastern Australia

Climate change impacts on freshwater fish, coral reefs, and related ecosystem services in the United States

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