scholarly journals Long-term dynamics of coral reefs in the inshore Southern Great Barrier Reef

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Lepore
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Barrier Reef

Temporal dynamics in coral bioindicators for water quality on coastal coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy F. Cooper ◽  
Peter V. Ridd ◽  
Karin E. Ulstrup ◽  
Craig Humphrey ◽  
Matthew Slivkoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Pocillopora Damicornis ◽  
Skeletal Density ◽  
Massive Porites

There is a need to identify effective coral bioindicators that provide quantifiable links between changes in water quality and the condition of coastal coral reefs. Temporal variation in a range of coral bioindicators including symbiont density, concentration of chlorophyll a, skeletal density and colony brightness of Pocillopora damicornis, as well as colony brightness and density of macro-bioeroders of massive Porites spp. was examined for 2 years on a coastal coral reef of the Great Barrier Reef. The specificity to changes in water quality varied among bioindicators. For example, a 2.5-fold variation in symbiont density of P. damicornis was related strongly to mean 14-day sea surface temperature and seasonal changes in water quality, suggesting medium specificity to changes in water quality. In contrast, the density of macro-bioeroders in Porites did not vary seasonally but there were consistently more macro-bioeroders at the coastal than mid-shelf reference locations, suggesting high specificity of spatial differences in water quality. In situ measurements of benthic irradiance and turbidity allowed the quantification of potential stress thresholds for coastal corals. Our data suggest long-term turbidity >3 NTU leads to sublethal stress, whereas long-term turbidity >5 NTU corresponds to severe stress effects on corals at shallow depths.

scholarly journals Ecological changes over 90 years at Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maoz Fine ◽  
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg ◽  
Efrat Meroz-Fine ◽  
Sophie Dove
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Initial State ◽  
Ecosystem Responses ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Reef Decline

Abstract Coral reefs are under increasing stress from local and global factors. Long-term perspectives are becoming increasingly important for understanding ecosystem responses. Here, we provide insights from a 91-year study of the Low Isles on the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR) that begins with the pioneering Great Barrier Reef Expedition (1928-29). We show that intertidal communities have experienced major phase-shifts since 1928, with few signs of a return to the initial state. Coral communities demolished by cyclones 50 years ago and exposed to multiple stressors have yet to recover. Richness and diversity of these communities systematically declined for corals and other invertebrates. Specifically, massive corals have replaced branching corals, and soft corals have become much more numerous. The long-term perspective of this study illustrates the importance of considering multiple factors in reef decline, and potential recovery, of coral reefs, and the importance of tracking changes in community structure as well as coral abundance over long periods.

Internal macrobioerosion on five species of Acropora following the 1998 bleaching event: Implications for the long-term impact of bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Hutchings ◽  
Mireille Peyrot-Clausade ◽  
Anke Stuken
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Internal Erosion ◽  
Bleaching Event ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

While bleaching events have received wide public attention, little attention has been given to the follow on effects on coral reefs. Bleached colonies of five species of Acropora of known age were sampled to study rates and agents of internal bioerosion at two sites on the southern Great Barrier Reef. The dominant erosion agents were worms and sponges and up to 23% of branches were eroded after 37 months. Significant differences were exhibited between species and between sites in terms of the animals responsible for internal erosion. The significance of bleaching and subsequent death of coral colonies is discussed with regard to their increased susceptibility storm damage and the loss of associated fish and invertebrates dependent on these habitat forming corals.

Water quality in the inshore Great Barrier Reef lagoon: Implications for long-term monitoring and management

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (4-9) ◽  
pp. 249-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Schaffelke ◽  
John Carleton ◽  
Michele Skuza ◽  
Irena Zagorskis ◽  
Miles J. Furnas
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Reef Lagoon ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring ◽  
Inshore Great Barrier Reef

Benthic community composition influences within-habitat variation in macroalgal browsing on the Great Barrier Reef

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cvitanovic ◽  
A. S. Hoey
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Benthic Community ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Habitat Variation ◽  
Benthic Composition

The removal of macroalgae by herbivores is fundamental to the long-term persistence of coral reefs. Variation in macroalgal browsing has been documented across a range of spatial scales on coral reefs; however, few studies have examined the factors that influence within-habitat rates of herbivory. The aim of the present study was to quantify herbivory on two species of Sargassum across three bays on an inshore island in the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR), and to determine whether these removal rates were related to the benthic composition or herbivorous fish communities. Removal rates of Sargassum differed significantly among bays, with removal rates in the southern bay (66.9–83.0% per 3 h) being approximately double that of the two other bays (29.2–38.5% per 3 h). The removal rates displayed a direct relationship with the benthic community structure, in particular the cover of macroalgae and live plate corals. Although it is difficult to determine whether these relationships are related to the availability of food resources or the structural complexity of the substratum, they highlight the potential influence of benthic composition on ecological processes. Quantifying and understanding the drivers of herbivory across a range of spatial scales is essential to the future management of coral reefs.

Manipulation of fishing effort in Australia's penaeid Prawn Fisheries

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
IF Somers
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Simulation Model ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Term Management

The potentially detrimental side-effects of prawn trawling are coming under increasing scrutiny in Australian waters, particularly in such ecologically sensitive areas as Queensland's Great Barrier Reef, and various restrictive measures are being suggested. Before changes are imposed on the prawning industry, the effects of trawling on the target prawn species and the long-term management of these effects need to be fully understood. Using a simulation model of a simplified prawn fishery, this paper describes the basis for the current regulatory mechanisms for Australian's prawn fisheries, in particular the manipulation of both the level and pattern of fishing effort. It is shown that even in moderately fished stocks, the fishery manager has several options, such as seasonal and nursery area closures, that are consistent with the goal of minimizing the impact of prawn trawling, while in no way penalizing the industry economically. With these in mind, possible ways of resolving or reducing the conflict with groups outside the prawning industry are discussed.

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