Nitrogen Identity Drives Differential Impacts of Nutrients on Coral Bleaching and Mortality

Burkepile, Deron E.; Shantz, Andrew A.; Adam, Thomas C.; Munsterman, Katrina S.; Speare, Kelly E.; Ladd, Mark C.; Rice, Mallory M.; Ezzat, Leïla; McIlroy, Shelby E.; Wong, Jane C. Y.; Baker, David M.; Brooks, Andrew J.; Schmitt, Russell J.; Holbrook, Sally J.

doi:10.1007/s10021-019-00433-2

Cited by 98 publications

(108 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In agreement with Ezzat et al (2016) and Ferrier-Pagès et al (2016), we suggest increasing efforts investigating P cycling and limitation in current and future reef ecosystems. Besides this key role of nutrient ratios, Burkepile et al (2019) highlight the importance to also account for varying effects of different forms of N. As N sources and pathways in corals and their reef environments are of major importance to better understand ecosystem functioning (Rädecker et al, 2015), the uptake and utilization of N (this study) should be compared to eutrophication effects on the N cycle.…”

Section: Utilization Of Excess N By Benthic Functional Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One prominent example is the entirety of coral host, endosymbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), bacteria and other microorganisms (Wegley et al, 2007), called the coral holobiont. The enrichment source Burkepile et al, 2019) and ratio of supplied nutrients is important to determine reef biota's reactions to eutrophication, particularly for corals (Haas, Al-Zibdah & Wild, 2009;Wiedenmann et al, 2013). Metabolic differences, for example between autotrophic and heterotrophic lifestyles, as well as the feeding environment of heterotrophic organisms, can lead to imbalances of essential biochemicals, which may become limiting (Müller-Navarra, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As external sources and processes of N acquisition affect the isotopic composition, for example, of corals (Hoegh-Guldberg et al, 2004), anthropogenic N sources can be traced in the field (Costanzo et al, 2001;Kendall, Elliott & Wankel, 2007;Baker et al, 2010). N enrichment has negative effects on coral growth (Ferrier-Pagès et al, 2000;Koop et al, 2001;Hall et al, 2018), calcification (Kinsey & Davies, 1979;Silbiger et al, 2018), reproductive success (Koop et al, 2001;Harrison & Ward, 2001;Loya et al, 2004), biodiversity (Duprey, Yasuhara & Baker, 2016), bacterial communities (Hall et al, 2018) and increases the susceptibility of corals to bleaching (Wooldridge & Done, 2009;Wiedenmann et al, 2013;Vega Thurber et al, 2014;Burkepile et al, 2019). In contrast, other benthic groups in coral reefs, such as turf-and macroalgae benefit from increased nutrient availability in many cases (Lapointe, 1987;Williams & Carpenter, 1988), particularly in combination with reduced herbivory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nitrogen eutrophication particularly promotes turf algae in coral reefs of the central Red Sea

Karcher

Roth

Carvalho

et al. 2020

PeerJ

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While various sources increasingly release nutrients to the Red Sea, knowledge about their effects on benthic coral reef communities is scarce. Here, we provide the first comparative assessment of the response of all major benthic groups (hard and soft corals, turf algae and reef sands—together accounting for 80% of the benthic reef community) to in-situ eutrophication in a central Red Sea coral reef. For 8 weeks, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were experimentally increased 3-fold above environmental background concentrations around natural benthic reef communities using a slow release fertilizer with 15% total nitrogen (N) content. We investigated which major functional groups took up the available N, and how this changed organic carbon (Corg) and N contents using elemental and stable isotope measurements. Findings revealed that hard corals (in their tissue), soft corals and turf algae incorporated fertilizer N as indicated by significant increases in δ15N by 8%, 27% and 28%, respectively. Among the investigated groups, Corg content significantly increased in sediments (+24%) and in turf algae (+33%). Altogether, this suggests that among the benthic organisms only turf algae were limited by N availability and thus benefited most from N addition. Thereby, based on higher Corg content, turf algae potentially gained competitive advantage over, for example, hard corals. Local management should, thus, particularly address DIN eutrophication by coastal development and consider the role of turf algae as potential bioindicator for eutrophication.

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Section: Utilization Of Excess N By Benthic Functional Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Nitrogen eutrophication particularly promotes turf algae in coral reefs of the central Red Sea

Karcher

Roth

Carvalho

et al. 2020

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One prominent example is the entirety of coral host, endosymbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), bacteria and other microorganisms (Wegley et al, 2007), called the coral holobiont. The enrichment source Burkepile et al, 2019) and ratio of supplied nutrients is important to determine reef biota's reactions to eutrophication, particularly for corals (Haas, Al-Zibdah & Wild, 2009;Wiedenmann et al, 2013). Metabolic differences e.g., between autotrophic and heterotrophic lifestyles, as well as the feeding environment of heterotrophic organisms, can lead to imbalances of essential biochemicals, which may become limiting (Müller-Navarra, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…of corals (Hoegh-Guldberg et al, 2004), anthropogenic N sources can be traced in the field (Costanzo et al, 2001;Kendall, Elliott & Wankel, 2007;Baker et al, 2010). N enrichment has negative effects on coral growth (Ferrier-Pagès et al, 2000;Koop et al, 2001;Hall et al, 2018), calcification (Kinsey & Davies, 1979;Silbiger et al, 2018), reproductive success (Koop et al, 2001;Harrison & Ward, 2001;Loya et al, 2004), biodiversity (Duprey, Yasuhara & Baker, 2016), bacterial communities (Hall et al, 2018), and increases the susceptibility of corals to bleaching (Wooldridge & Done, 2009;Wiedenmann et al, 2013;Vega Thurber et al, 2014;Burkepile et al, 2019). In contrast, other benthic groups in coral reefs, such as turf-and macroalgae benefit from increased nutrient availability in many cases (Lapointe, 1987;Williams & Carpenter, 1988), particularly in combination with reduced herbivory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "Nitrogen eutrophication particularly promotes turf algae in coral reefs of the central Red Sea (v0.1)"

2020

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While various sources increasingly release nutrients to the Red Sea, knowledge about their effects on benthic coral reef communities is scarce. Here, we provide the first comparative assessment of the response of all major benthic groups (hard and soft corals, turf algae, and reef sands-together accounting for 80 % of the benthic reef community) to in-situ eutrophication in a central Red Sea coral reef. For eight weeks, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were experimentally increased 3-fold above environmental background concentrations around natural benthic reef communities using a slow release fertilizer with 15 % total nitrogen (N) content. We investigated which major functional groups took up the available N, and how this changed organic carbon (C org) and N contents using elemental and stable isotope measurements. Findings revealed that hard corals (in their tissue), soft corals, and turf algae incorporated fertilizer N as indicated by significant increases in δ 15 N by 8 %, 27 % and 28 %, respectively. Among the investigated groups, C org content significantly increased in sediments (+24 %) and in turf algae (+33 %). Altogether, this suggests that among the benthic organisms only turf algae were limited by N availability and thus benefited most from N addition. Thereby, based on higher C org content, turf algae potentially gained competitive advantage over e.g. hard corals. Local management should, thus, particularly address DIN eutrophication by coastal development and consider the role of turf algae as potential bioindicator for eutrophication.

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Sunscreen pollution and tourism governance: Science and innovation are necessary for biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism

Downs

Remengesau

2022

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Sunscreen pollution can be a symptom of unsustainable tourism and coastal development, impacting marine and aquatic resources. When introduced into marine and freshwater ecosystems, sunscreen pollution can cause a cascade of insults to the ecological structure, from impacting primary production to reducing wildlife reproductive viability and fecundity.2. Without intervention, tourism and its associated development in these coastal areas may become self-destructive, ultimately degrading or destroying the natural resources that are the principal attractions. The environmental sciences that focus on pollution, such as ecotoxicology, environmental contaminant surveys and monitoring, and ecological risk assessments are critical for both describing the pollution phenomenon and identifying pollution sources, as well as providing the basis for mitigation.3. As a case study, the Republic of Palau has taken the step of implementing a precautionary governance policy to tourism that conserves and protects its marine and aquatic resources from chemical factors that are known to contribute to sunscreen and cosmetic pollution. 4. Governance policies can inspire the cosmetic and fashion industries to innovate product formulations that are shown to be ecologically safera critical and viable option for pollution mitigation and an essential component for sustained conservation. Safer products and a precautionary approach to governance, when combined with ecologically and culturally cognizant branding and education, may contribute to an authentic experience that effectively promotes environmentally sustainable tourism.

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Nitrogen Identity Drives Differential Impacts of Nutrients on Coral Bleaching and Mortality

Cited by 98 publications

References 51 publications

Nitrogen eutrophication particularly promotes turf algae in coral reefs of the central Red Sea

Nitrogen eutrophication particularly promotes turf algae in coral reefs of the central Red Sea

Peer Review #1 of "Nitrogen eutrophication particularly promotes turf algae in coral reefs of the central Red Sea (v0.1)"

Sunscreen pollution and tourism governance: Science and innovation are necessary for biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism

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