Simulated Macro-Algal Outbreak Triggers a Large-Scale Response on Coral Reefs.

ABSTRACT: Ecosystem degradation has become common throughout the world. On coral reefs, macroalgal outbreaks are one of the most widely documented signs of degradation. This study simulated local-scale degradation on a healthy coral reef to determine how resident taxa, with the potential to reverse algal outbreaks, respond. We utilized a combination of acoustic and video monitoring to quantify changes in the movements and densities, respectively, of coral reef herbivores following a simulated algal outbreak. We found an unprecedented accumulation of functionally important herbivorous taxa in response to algal increases. Herbivore densities increased by 267% where algae were present. The increase in herbivore densities was driven primarily by an accumulation of the browsing taxa Naso unicornis and Ky

SUBMITTER: Welsh JQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4501832 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature