Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production
Abstract While excessive anthropogenic nutrient loads are harmful to coral reefs, natural nutrient flows can boost coral growth and reef functions. Here we investigate if seabird-derived nutrient subsidies benefit the growth of two dominant corals on lagoonal reefs, submassive Isopora palifera and c...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76759-2 |
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| author | Ines D. Lange Cassandra E. Benkwitt |
| author_facet | Ines D. Lange Cassandra E. Benkwitt |
| author_sort | Ines D. Lange |
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| description | Abstract While excessive anthropogenic nutrient loads are harmful to coral reefs, natural nutrient flows can boost coral growth and reef functions. Here we investigate if seabird-derived nutrient subsidies benefit the growth of two dominant corals on lagoonal reefs, submassive Isopora palifera and corymbose Acropora vermiculata, and if enhanced colony-level calcification rates can increase reef-scale carbonate production. I. palifera and A. vermiculata colonies close to an island with high seabird densities displayed 1.4 and 3.2-times higher linear extension rates, 1.8 and 3.9-times faster planar area increase, and 1.6 and 2.7-times higher calcification rates compared to colonies close to a nearby island with low seabird densities, respectively. While benthic ReefBudget surveys in combination with average coral growth rates did not indicate differences in reef-scale carbonate production across sites, coral carbonate production was 2.2-times higher at the seabird-rich island when using site-specific linear growth rates and skeletal densities. This study shows that seabird-derived nutrients benefit fast-growing branching as well as previously unstudied submassive coral taxa. It also demonstrates that nutrient subsidies benefit colony-scale and reef-scale calcification rates, which underpin important geo-ecological reef functions. Restoring natural nutrient pathways should thus be a priority for island and reef management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a02df38b44924901808c4e8c5fa9c0f8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a02df38b44924901808c4e8c5fa9c0f82025-08-20T02:11:29ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-10-011411710.1038/s41598-024-76759-2Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate productionInes D. Lange0Cassandra E. Benkwitt1University of ExeterLancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster UniversityAbstract While excessive anthropogenic nutrient loads are harmful to coral reefs, natural nutrient flows can boost coral growth and reef functions. Here we investigate if seabird-derived nutrient subsidies benefit the growth of two dominant corals on lagoonal reefs, submassive Isopora palifera and corymbose Acropora vermiculata, and if enhanced colony-level calcification rates can increase reef-scale carbonate production. I. palifera and A. vermiculata colonies close to an island with high seabird densities displayed 1.4 and 3.2-times higher linear extension rates, 1.8 and 3.9-times faster planar area increase, and 1.6 and 2.7-times higher calcification rates compared to colonies close to a nearby island with low seabird densities, respectively. While benthic ReefBudget surveys in combination with average coral growth rates did not indicate differences in reef-scale carbonate production across sites, coral carbonate production was 2.2-times higher at the seabird-rich island when using site-specific linear growth rates and skeletal densities. This study shows that seabird-derived nutrients benefit fast-growing branching as well as previously unstudied submassive coral taxa. It also demonstrates that nutrient subsidies benefit colony-scale and reef-scale calcification rates, which underpin important geo-ecological reef functions. Restoring natural nutrient pathways should thus be a priority for island and reef management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76759-2Seabird nutrientsCoral growthCoral calcificationReef carbonate budget |
| spellingShingle | Ines D. Lange Cassandra E. Benkwitt Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production Scientific Reports Seabird nutrients Coral growth Coral calcification Reef carbonate budget |
| title | Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production |
| title_full | Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production |
| title_fullStr | Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production |
| title_short | Seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production |
| title_sort | seabird nutrients increase coral calcification rates and boost reef carbonate production |
| topic | Seabird nutrients Coral growth Coral calcification Reef carbonate budget |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76759-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT inesdlange seabirdnutrientsincreasecoralcalcificationratesandboostreefcarbonateproduction AT cassandraebenkwitt seabirdnutrientsincreasecoralcalcificationratesandboostreefcarbonateproduction |