A5032310018- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Marine and fisheries research
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses
- Marine animal studies overview
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Heavy metals in environment
- Simulation Techniques and Applications
- Service-Oriented Architecture and Web Services
- Advanced Database Systems and Queries
- Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Island Studies and Pacific Affairs
The University of Queensland
2014-2024
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
2013-2021
California State University, Northridge
2021
Australian Research Council
2014-2020
James Cook University
2016
Station Biologique de Roscoff
2010-2016
University of Exeter
2011-2015
Sorbonne Université
2010-2015
Université Paris Cité
2010-2015
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2010-2015
Significance Most studies of the impact global warming focus on direct physiological impacts climate change. However, is shifting distribution many species and leading to novel interactions between previously separated that have potential transform entire ecological communities. This study shows an increase in proportion warmwater (“tropicalization”) as oceans warm increasing fish herbivory kelp forests, contributing their decline subsequent persistence alternate “kelp-free” states. These...
Abstract Drivers of recruitment in sessile marine organisms are often poorly understood, due to the rapidly changing requirements experienced during early ontogeny. The complex suite physical, biological, and ecological interactions beginning at larval settlement involves a series trade‐offs that influence success. For example, while cryptic within microhabitats is commonly observed phenomenon organisms, it unclear whether between competition refuges predation on exposed surfaces leads...
Significance Fisheries management must avoid adverse impacts on the ecosystem. Doing so can be challenging in highly complex systems, particularly if target species serves an important ecosystem function. Caribbean coral reefs provide a classic example which herbivorous parrotfish are both fishery and key driver of resilience. We developed tested multispecies fisheries model linked it to reef experiencing climate change. found that corals remain resilient less than 10% fishable biomass is...
Under projections of global climate change and other stressors, significant changes in the ecology, structure function coral reefs are predicted. Current management strategies tend to look past set goals, focusing on halting declines restoring baseline conditions. Here, we explore a complementary approach decision making that is based anticipation future ecosystem state, services. Reviewing existing literature utilizing scenario planning approach, how reef communities might response...
Abstract Ecosystem management frequently aims to manage resilience yet measuring has proven difficult. Here, we quantify the ecological of largest reef in Caribbean and map potential benefits marine reserves under two scenarios greenhouse gas emissions. Resilience is calculated using spatial models defined as probability a remaining its coral‐dominated basin attraction such that it does not flip into an alternate, algal‐dominated attractor. In practice, coral populations will maintain...
Coral-algal phase shifts in which coral cover declines to low levels and is replaced by algae have often been documented on reefs worldwide. This has motivated reef management responses that include restriction regulation of fishing, e.g. herbivorous fish species. However, there evidence eutrophication sedimentation can be at least as important a reduction herbivory causing shifts. These threats arise from coastal development leading increased nutrient sediment loads, stimulate algal growth...
Abstract One striking feature of coral reef ecosystems is the complex benthic architecture which supports diverse and abundant fauna, particularly fish. Reef‐building corals are in decline worldwide, with a corresponding loss live cover resulting architectural complexity. Understanding dynamics therefore important to envision ability maintain functional habitats an era climate change. Here, we develop mechanistic model topographical complexity for contemporary Caribbean reefs. The describes...
A total of 212 carnivorous coastal fish species from New Caledonia, represented by 7335 individuals, were analysed for their diet. Fifty two prey items identified and later grouped into broader taxonomic categories refered as "prey types". For each 6 biological traits defined: maximum adult size, major biotope, schooling behaviour, home range, nycthemeral degree crypticity. general linear model was fit to the diet data taking account these traits, depth capture family. This applied average...
SUMMARY Expert opinion was canvassed to identify crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes. Scientists that had published three or more papers the effects and environmental factors fishes were invited submit five questions that, if addressed, would improve our Thirty-three scientists provided 155 questions, 32 scored these terms of: (i) identifying a gap, (ii) achievability, (iii) applicability broad spectrum species habitats, (iv)...
Recent epizootics have removed important functional species from Caribbean coral reefs and left communities vulnerable to alternative attractors. Global warming will impact further through two mechanisms. A chronic mechanism reduces calcification, which can result in depressed somatic growth. An acute mechanism, bleaching, causes extreme mortality when sea temperatures become anomalously high. We ask how these mechanisms interact driving future reef state (coral cover) resilience (the...
Abstract Structural complexity strongly influences biodiversity and ecosystem productivity. On coral reefs, structural is typically measured using a single small-scale metric (‘rugosity’) that represents multiple spatial attributes differentially exploited by species, thus limiting complete understanding of how fish associate with reef structure. We used novel approach to compare relationships between fishes previously unavailable components complexity, contrasted the results against...
AbstractCrown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster sp.) are among the most studied coral reef organisms, owing to their propensity undergo major population irruptions, which contribute significant loss and degradation throughout Indo-Pacific. However, there still important knowledge gaps pertaining biology, ecology, management of Acanthaster sp. Renewed efforts advance understanding Pacific crown-of-thorns on Australia's Great Barrier Reef require explicit consideration relevant tractable gaps....
Abstract Trophic spectra represent the distribution of biomass, abundance, or catch by trophic level, and may be used as indicators structure functioning aquatic ecosystems in a fisheries context. As theoretical background, we present simple ecosystem model biomass flow reflecting predation ontogenetic processes. Biomass spectrum total can modelled result three major factors processes: efficiency, transfer kinetics, extent top-down control. In simulations, changes highlight fishing impacts...
Abstract Large-scale, mass-balance trophic models have been developed for northern and southern regions of both the Benguela Humboldt upwelling ecosystems. Four these Ecopath were compared calibrated against one another. A common model structure was established, a basis used to derive poorly known parameter values. The four resulting represent ecosystems in which main commercial fish species moderately heavily fished: central-southern Chile (1992), northern-central Peru (1973–1981), South...
Ecosystem engineers that create habitats facilitate the coexistence of many interacting species. This biotic response to habitat engineering may result in non‐intuitive cascading interactions, potentially including feedbacks engineer. Such feedback mechanisms, either positive or negative, be especially important for maintenance biogenic and their community‐wide facilitation. Here, we describe complex interactions link marine habitat‐forming engineers, reef‐building corals, a group...
Coral reefs around the world are threatened by recurrent marine heatwaves causing mass coral bleaching and mortality. Mitigating future warming impacts requires strategic management that adopts a long-term lens. Global analyses of projected critical for decision-making but how disturbance refugia, life-histories adaptation interact with is unknown. Here, we simulate eco-evolutionary dynamics across >3,800 individual Australia iconic Great Barrier Reef under current suite climate...
During the PROSOPE cruise (Sept. 1999) in Mediterranean Sea, dissolved iron concentrations seawater and aluminium aerosols collected on board were investigated. Concentrations about two times higher Tyrrhenian Sea than west (Alboran Sea). This was good agreement with observed increase surface waters from West to East. Depth profiles characterised by a maximum mixed layer. Using an vitro experiment, released Saharan dust during season characterized stratified water column low primary...
This article aims to review 1) the major and most frequent human-induced physical disturbances their consequences on coral reef habitats using a multi-scale approach, 2) scale-related indicators conceptual aspects used detect measure effects of these impacts. By disturbances, we mean direct perturbations that lead destruction/erosion carbonate framework. Human-induced are numerous from coastal development, tourism, harvesting, accidents nuclear/weapon testing. Since methods for monitoring...