Spatio-temporal variation in rate of carbonate deposition by encrusting organisms in different reef microhabitats from Eastern Pacific coral reefs

• DOI: 10.1017/s0025315419000638
• Publication Date: 2019-08-05T08:46:53Z
• Authors: J. F. Alvarado-Ro...; H. Nava; J. L. Carballo
• Keywords: Hermatypic coral; Bioerosion; Coralline algae; Fringing reef

Abstract Reef encrusting calcifiers (non-scleractinian species) constitute assemblages that participate in the carbon cycle at coral reefs. Despite their apparent secondary role building reef framework, they contribute to consolidation binding sediments and inducing larval recruitment from other epilithic invertebrates. The contribution of on accretion was examined by assessment rate carbonate deposition four different simulated microhabitats using calcification units (CAUs) during 12 months Playa Las Gatas Islote Zacatoso, two communities coast Mexican Pacific. Encrusting Gatas, most impacted site, showed a (mean ± SD) times higher than Zacatoso (10.02 3.22 g CaCO 3 m −2 d −1 vs 2.48 1.01 ). Overall, surfaces protected sedimentation light up 1.8 exposed ones (11.40 4.35 6.18 3.13 Carbonate calcareous algae well-lit while filter-feeding invertebrates major shaded cryptic surfaces. Although seems be lower hermatypic corals, it relevant reefs affected anthropogenic impacts where is low. Under global demise environmental degradation climate change, may become for process deposition.