NDLI: Effects of herbivory, nutrients, and reef protection on algal proliferation and coral growth on a tropical reef

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Rasher, Douglas B. Engel, Sebastian Bonito, Victor Fraser, Gareth J. Montoya, Joseph P. Hay, Mark E.
Copyright Year	2011
Abstract	Maintaining coral reef resilience against increasing anthropogenic disturbance is critical for effective reef management. Resilience is partially determined by how processes, such as herbivory and nutrient supply, affect coral recovery versus macroalgal proliferation following disturbances. However, the relative effects of herbivory versus nutrient enrichment on algal proliferation remain debated. Here, we manipulated herbivory and nutrients on a coral-dominated reef protected from fishing, and on an adjacent macroalgal-dominated reef subject to fishing and riverine discharge, over 152 days. On both reefs, herbivore exclusion increased total and upright macroalgal cover by 9–46 times, upright macroalgal biomass by 23–84 times, and cyanobacteria cover by 0–27 times, but decreased cover of encrusting coralline algae by 46–100% and short turf algae by 14–39%. In contrast, nutrient enrichment had no effect on algal proliferation, but suppressed cover of total macroalgae (by 33–42%) and cyanobacteria (by 71% on the protected reef) when herbivores were excluded. Herbivore exclusion, but not nutrient enrichment, also increased sediment accumulation, suggesting a strong link between herbivory, macroalgal growth, and sediment retention. Growth rates of the corals Porites cylindrica and Acropora millepora were 30–35% greater on the protected versus fished reef, but nutrient and herbivore manipulations within a site did not affect coral growth. Cumulatively, these data suggest that herbivory rather than eutrophication plays the dominant role in mediating macroalgal proliferation, that macroalgae trap sediments that may further suppress herbivory and enhance macroalgal dominance, and that corals are relatively resistant to damage from some macroalgae but are significantly impacted by ambient reef condition.
Starting Page	187
Ending Page	198
Page Count	12
File Format	PDF
ISSN	00298549
Journal	Oecologia
Volume Number	169
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	14321939
Language	English
Publisher	Springer-Verlag
Publisher Date	2011-10-30
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Plant-herbivory Eutrophication Fiji MPA Overfishing Ecology Plant Sciences
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Effects of herbivory, nutrients, and reef protection on algal proliferation and coral growth on a tropical reef

The effects of top–down versus bottom–up control on benthic coral reef community structure

Distribution, behavior, and condition of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs track algal resources

Phase shift to algal dominated communities at mesophotic depths associated with lionfish (Pterois volitans) invasion on a Bahamian coral reef

Bottom-Up Factors for Algal Productivity Outweigh No-Fishing Marine Protected Area Effects in a Marginal Coral Reef System

Invertebrate biodiversity associated with algal turfs on a coral-dominated reef

Predator release of the gastropod Cyphoma gibbosum increases predation on gorgonian corals

Response: Commentary: Tropical fish diversity enhances coral reef functioning across multiple scales

Survival and dispersal of turf algae and macroalgae consumed by herbivorous coral reef fishes

Effects of herbivory, nutrients, and reef protection on algal proliferation and coral growth on a tropical reef

Similar Documents

Effects of herbivory, nutrients, and reef protection on algal proliferation and coral growth on a tropical reef

The effects of top–down versus bottom–up control on benthic coral reef community structure

Distribution, behavior, and condition of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs track algal resources

Phase shift to algal dominated communities at mesophotic depths associated with lionfish (Pterois volitans) invasion on a Bahamian coral reef

Bottom-Up Factors for Algal Productivity Outweigh No-Fishing Marine Protected Area Effects in a Marginal Coral Reef System

Invertebrate biodiversity associated with algal turfs on a coral-dominated reef

Predator release of the gastropod Cyphoma gibbosum increases predation on gorgonian corals

Response: Commentary: Tropical fish diversity enhances coral reef functioning across multiple scales

Survival and dispersal of turf algae and macroalgae consumed by herbivorous coral reef fishes

Effects of herbivory, nutrients, and reef protection on algal proliferation and coral growth on a tropical reef