Changes in the population and community structure of corals during recent disturbances (February 2016-October 2017) on Maldivian coral reefs.

ABSTRACT: Climate change is the greatest threat to coral reef ecosystems. In particular, increasing ocean temperatures are causing severe and widespread coral bleaching, contributing to extensive coral loss and degradation of coral reef habitats globally. Effects of coral bleaching are not however, equally apportioned among different corals, leading to shifts in population and community structure. This study explored variation in bleaching susceptibility and mortality associated with the 2016 severe mass bleaching in the Central Maldives Archipelago. Five dominant coral taxa (tabular Acropora, Acropora humilis, Acropora muricata, Pocillopora and massive Porites) were surveyed in February 2016 and October 2017 to test for changes in abundance and size structure. Substantial taxonomic differences in r

SUBMITTER: Pisapia C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6557830 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature