 |
| Titel |
Diverse coral communities in mangrove habitats suggest a novel refuge from climate change |
| VerfasserIn |
K. K. Yates, C. S. Rogers, J. J. Herlan, G. R. Brooks, N. A. Smiley, R. A. Larson |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
|
| Sprache |
Englisch
|
| ISSN |
1726-4170
|
| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Biogeosciences ; 11, no. 16 ; Nr. 11, no. 16 (2014-08-19), S.4321-4337 |
| Datensatznummer |
250117550
|
| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/bg-11-4321-2014.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
| Zusammenfassung |
Risk analyses indicate that more than 90% of the world's reefs will be
threatened by climate change and local anthropogenic impacts by the year 2030
under "business-as-usual" climate scenarios. Increasing temperatures and
solar radiation cause coral bleaching that has resulted in extensive coral
mortality. Increasing carbon dioxide reduces seawater pH, slows coral growth,
and may cause loss of reef structure. Management strategies include
establishment of marine protected areas with environmental conditions that
promote reef resiliency. However, few resilient reefs have been identified,
and resiliency factors are poorly defined.
Here we characterize the first natural, non-reef coral refuge from thermal
stress and ocean acidification and identify resiliency factors for
mangrove–coral habitats. We measured diurnal and seasonal variations in
temperature, salinity, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and
seawater chemistry; characterized substrate parameters; and examined water
circulation patterns in mangrove communities where scleractinian corals are
growing attached to and under mangrove prop roots in Hurricane Hole, St.
John, US Virgin Islands. Additionally, we inventoried the coral species and
quantified incidences of coral bleaching, mortality, and recovery for two
major reef-building corals, Colpophyllia natans and Diploria
labyrinthiformis, growing in mangrove-shaded and exposed (unshaded) areas.
Over 30 species of scleractinian corals were growing in association with
mangroves. Corals were thriving in low-light (more than 70% attenuation
of incident PAR) from mangrove shading and at higher temperatures than nearby
reef tract corals. A higher percentage of C. natans colonies were
living shaded by mangroves, and no shaded colonies were bleached. Fewer D.
labyrinthiformis colonies were shaded by mangroves, however more unshaded
colonies were bleached. A combination of substrate and habitat heterogeneity,
proximity of different habitat types, hydrographic conditions, and biological
influences on seawater chemistry generate chemical conditions that buffer
against ocean acidification. This previously undocumented refuge for corals
provides evidence for adaptation of coastal organisms and ecosystem
transition due to recent climate change. Identifying and protecting other
natural, non-reef coral refuges is critical for sustaining corals and other
reef species into the future. |
| |
|
| Teil von |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|