Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia

Encrusting reef organisms such as crustose coralline algae (CCA), serpulid worms, bivalves, bryozoans, and foraminifera (collectively termed encrusters) provide essential ecosystem services and are a critical part of the reef framework. Globally, research into in situ growth and carbonate production...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Environmental Research
Main Authors: Dee, S., Cuttler, M., Cartwright, P., McIlwain, Jennifer, Browne, Nicola
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: ELSEVIER SCI LTD 2021
Subjects:
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Environmental Sciences
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Toxicology
Environmental Sciences & Ecology
Marine encrusters
Crustose coralline algae
Carbonate production
Inshore reefs
Carbonate budget
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
PHYMATOLITHON-CALCAREUM
GROWTH-RATES
CALCIFICATION
RHODOPHYTA
RECRUITMENT
COLONIZATION
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITIES
Pacific
Indian
Ocean acidification
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/90257
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105386
Description
Summary:Encrusting reef organisms such as crustose coralline algae (CCA), serpulid worms, bivalves, bryozoans, and foraminifera (collectively termed encrusters) provide essential ecosystem services and are a critical part of the reef framework. Globally, research into in situ growth and carbonate production of encrusters has focused on clear water fore-reef settings in the Pacific and Caribbean, with limited studies being conducted on marginal reef systems or within the Indian Ocean. Here we examined spatial and temporal variation in CCA coverage (%) and total encruster carbonate production rates (g cm−2 yr−1) across two inshore turbid island reefs of northern Western Australia. We recorded average carbonate production rates of 0.039 ± 0.002 g cm−2 yr−1, which are comparable to healthy reef sites globally. Our results show variation in lateral CCA cover over small spatial scales, with a strong seasonal signature, while constant average carbonate production rates were maintained. Additionally, we recorded in situ water temperatures above predicted coral bleaching threshold of 29 °C for four weeks and found annual patterns of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) of 2 °C or more being a regular occurrence over the hotter months. Encrusters on these reefs are considered to have a vital contribution to the reef carbonate budgets, and if they maintain stable carbonate production through periods of SSTA, they may support net positive reef carbonate budgets.

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