Underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican Reef
Abstract Coral bleaching, a consequence of stressed symbiotic relationships between corals and algae, has escalated due to intensified heat stress events driven by climate change. Despite global efforts, current early warning systems lack local precision. Our study, spanning 2015–2017 in the Mesoame...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Communications Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07128-y |
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| author | Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo Andrea Rivera-Sosa Melanie McField Iliana Chollett C. Mark Eakin Susana Enríquez Ana Giró Ian Drysdale Marisol Rueda Mélina Soto Nicole Craig Jesús Ernesto Arias-González |
| author_facet | Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo Andrea Rivera-Sosa Melanie McField Iliana Chollett C. Mark Eakin Susana Enríquez Ana Giró Ian Drysdale Marisol Rueda Mélina Soto Nicole Craig Jesús Ernesto Arias-González |
| author_sort | Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Coral bleaching, a consequence of stressed symbiotic relationships between corals and algae, has escalated due to intensified heat stress events driven by climate change. Despite global efforts, current early warning systems lack local precision. Our study, spanning 2015–2017 in the Mesoamerican Reef, revealed prevalent intermediate bleaching, peaking in 2017. By scrutinizing 23 stress exposure and sensitivity metrics, we accurately predicted 75% of bleaching severity variation. Notably, distinct thermal patterns—particularly the climatological seasonal warming rate and various heat stress metrics—emerged as better predictors compared to conventional indices (such as Degree Heating Weeks). Surprisingly, deeper reefs with diverse coral communities showed heightened vulnerability. This study presents a framework for coral reef bleaching vulnerability assessment, leveraging accessible data (including historical and real-time sea surface temperature, habitat variables, and species composition). Its operational potential lies in seamless integration with existing monitoring systems, offering crucial insights for conservation and management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-71c05a6a10d44cfc916663ccf2f2dbb4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2399-3642 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-71c05a6a10d44cfc916663ccf2f2dbb42025-08-20T02:13:55ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422024-11-017111110.1038/s42003-024-07128-yUnderlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican ReefAarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo0Andrea Rivera-Sosa1Melanie McField2Iliana Chollett3C. Mark Eakin4Susana Enríquez5Ana Giró6Ian Drysdale7Marisol Rueda8Mélina Soto9Nicole Craig10Jesús Ernesto Arias-González11Laboratorio de Ecología de Ecosistemas de Arrecifes Coralinos, Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. MéridaLaboratorio de Ecología de Ecosistemas de Arrecifes Coralinos, Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. MéridaHealthy Reefs for Healthy PeopleSea Cottage, LouisburghCorals and ClimateLaboratorio de Fotobiología. Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoHealthy Reefs for Healthy PeopleHealthy Reefs for Healthy PeopleHealthy Reefs for Healthy PeopleHealthy Reefs for Healthy PeopleHealthy Reefs for Healthy PeopleLaboratorio de Ecología de Ecosistemas de Arrecifes Coralinos, Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. MéridaAbstract Coral bleaching, a consequence of stressed symbiotic relationships between corals and algae, has escalated due to intensified heat stress events driven by climate change. Despite global efforts, current early warning systems lack local precision. Our study, spanning 2015–2017 in the Mesoamerican Reef, revealed prevalent intermediate bleaching, peaking in 2017. By scrutinizing 23 stress exposure and sensitivity metrics, we accurately predicted 75% of bleaching severity variation. Notably, distinct thermal patterns—particularly the climatological seasonal warming rate and various heat stress metrics—emerged as better predictors compared to conventional indices (such as Degree Heating Weeks). Surprisingly, deeper reefs with diverse coral communities showed heightened vulnerability. This study presents a framework for coral reef bleaching vulnerability assessment, leveraging accessible data (including historical and real-time sea surface temperature, habitat variables, and species composition). Its operational potential lies in seamless integration with existing monitoring systems, offering crucial insights for conservation and management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07128-y |
| spellingShingle | Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo Andrea Rivera-Sosa Melanie McField Iliana Chollett C. Mark Eakin Susana Enríquez Ana Giró Ian Drysdale Marisol Rueda Mélina Soto Nicole Craig Jesús Ernesto Arias-González Underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican Reef Communications Biology |
| title | Underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican Reef |
| title_full | Underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican Reef |
| title_fullStr | Underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican Reef |
| title_full_unstemmed | Underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican Reef |
| title_short | Underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the Mesoamerican Reef |
| title_sort | underlying drivers of coral reef vulnerability to bleaching in the mesoamerican reef |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07128-y |
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