Tebbett Sterling B, Crisp Samantha K, Evans Richard D, Fulton Christopher J, Pessarrodona Albert, Wernberg Thomas, Wilson Shaun K, Bellwood David R
Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, with the College of Science and Engineering, and with the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, Kensington, Western Australia, Australia.
Bioscience. 2023 Mar 1;73(3):220-228. doi: 10.1093/biosci/biad008. eCollection 2023 Mar.
The concept of dominance is frequently used to describe changes in rapidly reconfiguring ecosystems, but the definition of dominance can vary widely among studies. Using coral reefs as a model, we use extensive benthic composition data to explore how variability in applying dominance concepts can shape perceptions. We reveal that coral dominance is sensitive to the exclusion of key algal groups and the categorization of other benthic groups, with ramifications for detecting an ecosystem phase shift. For example, ignoring algal turf inflates the dominance of hard and soft corals in the benthic habitats underpinning reef ecosystems. We need a consensus on how dominance concepts are applied so that we can build a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem shifts across a broad range of aquatic and terrestrial settings. For reefs, we highlight the benefits of comprehensive and inclusive surveys for evaluating and managing the altered ecosystem states that are emerging in the Anthropocene.
优势度概念经常被用于描述快速重构的生态系统中的变化，但优势度的定义在不同研究中可能差异很大。以珊瑚礁为模型，我们利用广泛的底栖生物组成数据来探究应用优势度概念的变异性如何塑造认知。我们发现珊瑚优势度对关键藻类群体的排除和其他底栖生物群体的分类很敏感，这对检测生态系统的相位转移有影响。例如，忽略藻草会夸大支撑珊瑚礁生态系统的底栖生境中硬珊瑚和软珊瑚的优势度。我们需要就如何应用优势度概念达成共识，以便我们能够更全面地理解广泛的水生和陆地环境中的生态系统变化。对于珊瑚礁，我们强调全面和包容性调查对于评估和管理人类世正在出现的改变后的生态系统状态的益处。
