Journal ArticleDOI
The importance of structural complexity in coral reef ecosystems
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Quantitative analyses of existing data indicate a strong negative relationship between structural complexity and algal cover, which may reflect the important role complexity plays in enhancing herbivory by reef fishes, and structural complexity should be incorporated into monitoring programs and management objectives.Abstract:
The importance of structural complexity in coral reefs has come to the fore with the global degradation of reef condition; however, the limited scale and replication of many studies have restricted our understanding of the role of complexity in the ecosystem. We qualitatively and quantitatively (where sufficient standardised data were available) assess the literature regarding the role of structural complexity in coral reef ecosystems. A rapidly increasing number of publications have studied the role of complexity in reef ecosystems over the past four decades, with a concomitant increase in the diversity of methods used to quantify structure. Quantitative analyses of existing data indicate a strong negative relationship between structural complexity and algal cover, which may reflect the important role complexity plays in enhancing herbivory by reef fishes. The cover of total live coral and branching coral was positively correlated with structural complexity. These habitat attributes may be creating much of the structure, resulting in a collinear relationship; however, there is also evidence of enhanced coral recovery from disturbances where structural complexity is high. Urchin densities were negatively correlated with structural complexity; a relationship that may be driven by urchins eroding reef structure or by their gregarious behaviour when in open space. There was a strong positive relationship between structural complexity and fish density and biomass, likely mediated through density-dependent competition and refuge from predation. More variable responses were found when assessing individual fish families, with all families examined displaying a positive relationship to structural complexity, but only half of these relationships were significant. Although only corroborated with qualitative data, structural complexity also seems to have a positive effect on two ecosystem services: tourism and shoreline protection. Clearly, structural complexity is an integral component of coral reef ecosystems, and it should be incorporated into monitoring programs and management objectives.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Nocturnal surveys reveal novel insights into the community dynamics of an anchialine ecosystem from The Bahamas
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Ecological impacts of the non-native Macrophyte Crassula helmsii on freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages in Dartmoor National Park, UK
TL;DR: This article evaluated the impacts of the non-native macrophyte Crassula helmsii on macroinvertebrate assemblages in ponds in Dartmoor National Park, UK.
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Trapezia Crabs That Dwell in Distinctive Day/Night Canopy Compartments of a Marine Animal Forest, Forage on Demersal Plankton
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors study Stylophora pistillata, a common branching coral in the Gulf of Eilat that harbors obligatory crabs from the family Trapezia.
Strahler Ordering Analyses on Branching Coral Canopies: Stylophora pistillata as a Case Study
TL;DR: In this paper , the Strahler number of a mathematical tree was employed for the numerical measurements of the coral canopy complexity, and the coral's dwellers' diel distribution patterns were quantified and analyzed.
Journal ArticleDOI
A contemporary baseline of Madagascar’s coral assemblages: Reefs with high coral diversity, abundance, and function associated with marine protected areas
Mahery Randrianarivo,François Guilhaumon,Johanès Tsilavonarivo,Andriamanjato Razakandrainy,Jacques Philippe,Radonirina Botosoamananto,Lucie Penin,Gildas Todinanahary,Mehdi Adjeroud +8 more
TL;DR: In this article , the authors analyzed the multiscale spatial variation of the composition, generic richness, abundance, life history strategies, and cover of coral assemblages among 18 stations placed at three regions around the island.
References
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Toby A. Gardner,Toby A. Gardner,Isabelle M. Côté,Jennifer A. Gill,Jennifer A. Gill,Alastair Grant,Andrew R. Watkinson,Andrew R. Watkinson +7 more
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Journal ArticleDOI
Ecological goods and services of coral reef ecosystems
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify ecological goods and services of coral reef ecosystems, with special emphasis on how they are generated, and the consequences of human impacts on coral reefs are also discussed, including loss of resilience or buffer capacity.