Reef communities associated with ‘dead’ cold-water coral framework drive resource retention and recycling in the deep sea

Maier, Sandra R.; Mienis, Furu; Froe, Evert de; Soetaert, Karline; Lavaleye, M.S.S.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; Beauchard, Olivier; Kaaden, Anna‐Selma van der; Koch, Boris P.; Oevelen, Dick van

doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2021.103574

Cited by 26 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…Reduced POM supply linked with bio-and hydrodynamic erosion are the likely causes for the observed reduction in dead coral cover at greater depths (Roberts et al, 2009). This is also shown by Maier et al (2021), where more degraded coral framework is found at deeper depths and less degraded framework at more shallow depths. Live corals form complex three-dimensional frameworks, and increase the local terrain roughness (Jenness, 2002).…”

Section: Distribution Of Dead and Live Coral Frameworksupporting

confidence: 58%

“…The remaining area (total area minus [dead + live] coral framework) was referred to as sediment. However, hard substrates such as pebbles, cobbles, boulders and lithified substrate can also be present (De Clippele et al, 2019;Maier et al, 2021). The ROV was equipped with two parallel pointers, marking a fixed distance of 10 cm on the video frames, which was used to scale the images.…”

Section: Biological Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Live coral framework released dissolved inorganic N (DIN) mostly as ammonium (NH + 4 ) (Khripounoff et al, 2014), while dead coral framework mostly releases nitrate (NO − 3 ) (Maier et al, 2021). For live corals we used an NH + 4 release rate of 0.084 ± 0.017 NH 4 + mmol kg −1 d −1 dry weight (Khripounoff et al, 2014) and for dead coral framework we used an NO − 3 release rate of 0.053 ± 0.037 NO 3 − mmol kg −1 d −1 (Maier et al, 2021)…”

Section: Oxygen and Nitrogen Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The availability of this food is a major determinant controlling CWCs occurrence and the zonation of macrohabitats on the mounds (De Clippele et al, 2019;Maier et al, 2021). The mound bases are covered by sediments (bio-and siliciclastic sands), pebbles, cobbles and boulders (de Haas et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The mound bases are covered by sediments (bio-and siliciclastic sands), pebbles, cobbles and boulders (de Haas et al, 2009). Dense Lophelia pertusa patches characterize the summits of the carbonate mounds, while the flanks of the mounds are covered with patches of coral rubble, dead coral branches and living corals (Kenyon et al, 2003;Van Weering et al, 2003;de Haas et al, 2009;De Clippele et al, 2019;Maier et al, 2021). Dead coral framework is particularly biodiverse as it provides complex micro-and macrohabitats for diverse communities (Jonsson et al, 2004;Henry and Roberts, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biomass Mapping for an Improved Understanding of the Contribution of Cold-Water Coral Carbonate Mounds to C and N Cycling

et al. 2021

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This study used a novel approach combining biological, environmental, and ecosystem function data of the Logachev cold-water coral carbonate mound province to predictively map coral framework (bio)mass. A more accurate representation and quantification of cold-water coral reef ecosystem functions such as Carbon and Nitrogen stock and turnover were given by accounting for the spatial heterogeneity. Our results indicate that 45% is covered by dead and only 3% by live coral framework. The remaining 51%, is covered by fine sediments. It is estimated that 75,034–93,534 tons (T) of live coral framework is present in the area, of which ∼10% (7,747–9,316 T) consists of Cinorg and ∼1% (411–1,061 T) of Corg. A much larger amount of 3,485,828–4,357,435 T (60:1 dead:live ratio) dead coral framework contained ∼11% (418,299–522,892 T) Cinorg and <1% (0–16 T) Corg. The nutrient turnover by dead coral framework is the largest, contributing 45–51% (2,596–3,626 T) C year–1 and 30–62% (290–1,989 T) N year–1 to the total turnover in the area. Live coral framework turns over 1,656–2,828 T C year–1 and 53–286 T N year–1. Sediments contribute between 1,216–1,512 T C year–1 and 629–919 T N year–1 to the area’s benthic organic matter mineralization. However, this amount is likely higher as sediments baffled by coral framework might play a much more critical role in reefs CN cycling than previously assumed. Our calculations showed that the area overturns 1–3.4 times the C compared to a soft-sediment area at a similar depth. With only 5–9% of the primary productivity reaching the corals via natural deposition, this study indicated that the supply of food largely depends on local hydrodynamical food supply mechanisms and the reefs ability to retain and recycle nutrients. Climate-induced changes in primary production, local hydrodynamical food supply and the dissolution of particle-baffling coral framework could have severe implications for the survival and functioning of cold-water coral reefs.

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Section: Distribution Of Dead and Live Coral Frameworksupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Biological Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Oxygen and Nitrogen Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biomass Mapping for an Improved Understanding of the Contribution of Cold-Water Coral Carbonate Mounds to C and N Cycling

et al. 2021

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Tiger reefs: Self‐organized regular patterns in deep‐sea cold‐water coral reefs

van der Kaaden,

Maier,

Siteur

et al. 2023

Ecosphere

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Complexity theory predicts that self‐organized, regularly patterned ecosystems store more biomass and are more resilient than spatially uniform systems. Self‐organized ecosystems are well‐known from the terrestrial realm, with “tiger bushes” being the archetypical example and mussel beds and tropical coral reefs the marine examples. We here identify regular spatial patterns in cold‐water coral reefs (nicknamed “tiger reefs”) from video transects and argue that these are likely the result of self‐organization. We used variograms and Lomb–Scargle analysis of seven annotated video transects to analyze spatial patterns in live coral and dead coral (i.e., skeletal remains) cover at the Logachev coral mound province (NE Atlantic Ocean) and found regular spatial patterns with length scales between 62 and 523 m in live and dead coral distribution along these transects that point to self‐organization of cold‐water coral reefs. Self‐organization theory shows that self‐organized ecosystems can withstand large environmental changes by adjusting their spatial configuration. We found indications that cold‐water corals can similarly adjust their spatial configuration, possibly providing resilience in the face of climate change. Dead coral framework remains in the environment for extended periods of time, providing a template for spatial patterns that facilitates live coral recovery. The notion of regular spatial patterns in cold‐water coral reefs is interesting for cold‐water coral restoration, as transplantation will be more successful when it follows the patterns that are naturally present. This finding also underlines that anthropogenic effects such as ocean acidification and bottom trawling that destroy the dead coral template undermine cold‐water coral resilience. Differences in the pattern periodicities of live and dead coral cover further present an interesting new angle to investigate past and present environmental conditions in cold‐water coral reefs.

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