Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 22;11(1):18787. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98239-7.
Thermal-stress events have changed the structure, biodiversity, and functioning of coral reefs. But how these disturbances affect the dynamics of individual coral colonies remains unclear. By tracking the fate of 1069 individual Acropora and massive Porites coral colonies for up to 5 years, spanning three bleaching events, we reveal striking genus-level differences in their demographic response to bleaching (mortality, growth, and recruitment). Although Acropora colonies were locally extirpated, substantial local recruitment and fast growth revealed a marked capacity for apparent recovery. By contrast, almost all massive Porites colonies survived and the majority grew in area; yet no new colonies were detected over the 5 years. Our results highlight contrasting dynamics of boom-and-bust vs. protracted declines in two major coral groups. These dangerous demographics emphasise the need for caution when documenting the susceptibility and perceived resistance or recovery of corals to disturbances.
热应激事件改变了珊瑚礁的结构、生物多样性和功能。但是，这些干扰如何影响单个珊瑚群体的动态仍然不清楚。通过跟踪 1069 个个体鹿角珊瑚和巨石珊瑚群体长达 5 年的命运，跨越了三次白化事件，我们揭示了它们对白化（死亡率、生长和繁殖）的明显恢复能力在属级水平上存在显著差异。尽管鹿角珊瑚群体在当地被灭绝，但大量的本地繁殖和快速生长显示出明显的恢复能力。相比之下，几乎所有的巨石珊瑚群体都存活下来，并且大部分面积都在增长；然而，在 5 年内没有发现新的群体。我们的研究结果突出了两个主要珊瑚群体中繁荣与衰退的动态对比。这些危险的种群动态强调了在记录珊瑚对干扰的敏感性以及感知的抗性或恢复能力时需要谨慎。
