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Coverage, diversity, and functionality of a high-latitude coral community (Tatsukushi, Shikoku Island, Japan)
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, Vol 8, Iss 1, p e54330 (2013), PLoS ONE
- Publication Year :
- 2013
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2013.
-
Abstract
- BackgroundSeawater temperature is the main factor restricting shallow-water zooxanthellate coral reefs to low latitudes. As temperatures increase, coral species and perhaps reefs may move into higher-latitude waters, increasing the chances of coral reef ecosystems surviving despite global warming. However, there is a growing need to understand the structure of these high-latitude coral communities in order to analyze their future dynamics and to detect any potential changes.Methodology/principal findingsThe high-latitude (32.75°N) community surveyed was located at Tatsukushi, Shikoku Island, Japan. Coral cover was 60±2% and was composed of 73 scleractinian species partitioned into 7 functional groups. Although only 6% of species belonged to the 'plate-like' functional group, it was the major contributor to species coverage. This was explained by the dominance of plate-like species such as Acropora hyacinthus and A. solitaryensis. Comparison with historical data suggests a relatively recent colonization/development of A. hyacinthus in this region and a potential increase in coral diversity over the last century. Low coverage of macroalgae (2% of the benthic cover) contrasted with the low abundance of herbivorous fishes, but may be reasonably explained by the high density of sea urchins (12.9±3.3 individuals m⁻²).Conclusions/significanceThe structure and composition of this benthic community are relatively remarkable for a site where winter temperature can durably fall below the accepted limit for coral reef development. Despite limited functionalities and functional redundancy, the current benthic structure might provide a base upon which a reef could eventually develop, as characterized by opportunistic and pioneer frame-building species. In addition to increasing seawater temperatures, on-going management actions and sea urchin density might also explain the observed state of this community. A focus on such 'marginal' communities should be a priority, as they can provide important insights into how tropical corals might cope with environmental changes.
- Subjects :
- Coral
Science
Population Dynamics
Marine Biology
Biology
Ecosystems
Japan
Global Change Ecology
Animals
Community Assembly
Aquaculture of coral
Reef
Community Structure
Ecosystem
Islands
geography
Multidisciplinary
geography.geographical_feature_category
Ecology
Resilience of coral reefs
Coral Reefs
Marine Ecology
Species diversity
Coral reef
Biodiversity
Anthozoa
Fishery
Community Ecology
Corals
Medicine
Environmental issues with coral reefs
Coral reef protection
Ecosystem Functioning
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 8
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....34d13c98fe144eb9e407e347b66924b0