2013年
Coverage, diversity, and functionality of a high-latitude coral community (Tatsukushi, Shikoku Island, Japan).
PloS one
- ,
- ,
- ,
- ,
- ,
- ,
- 巻
- 8
- 号
- 1
- 開始ページ
- e54330
- 終了ページ
- 記述言語
- 英語
- 掲載種別
- 研究論文(学術雑誌)
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0054330
- 出版者・発行元
- PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
BACKGROUND: Seawater temperature is the main factor restricting shallow-water zooxanthellate coral reefs to low latitudes. As temperatures increase, coral species and perhaps reefs may move into higher-latitude waters, increasing the chances of coral reef ecosystems surviving despite global warming. However, there is a growing need to understand the structure of these high-latitude coral communities in order to analyze their future dynamics and to detect any potential changes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The high-latitude (32.75°N) community surveyed was located at Tatsukushi, Shikoku Island, Japan. Coral cover was 60±2% and was composed of 73 scleractinian species partitioned into 7 functional groups. Although only 6% of species belonged to the 'plate-like' functional group, it was the major contributor to species coverage. This was explained by the dominance of plate-like species such as Acropora hyacinthus and A. solitaryensis. Comparison with historical data suggests a relatively recent colonization/development of A. hyacinthus in this region and a potential increase in coral diversity over the last century. Low coverage of macroalgae (2% of the benthic cover) contrasted with the low abundance of herbivorous fishes, but may be reasonably explained by the high density of sea urchins (12.9±3.3 individuals m⁻²). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The structure and composition of this benthic community are relatively remarkable for a site where winter temperature can durably fall below the accepted limit for coral reef development. Despite limited functionalities and functional redundancy, the current benthic structure might provide a base upon which a reef could eventually develop, as characterized by opportunistic and pioneer frame-building species. In addition to increasing seawater temperatures, on-going management actions and sea urchin density might also explain the observed state of this community. A focus on such 'marginal' communities should be a priority, as they can provide important insights into how tropical corals might cope with environmental changes.
- リンク情報
-
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054330
- PubMed
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23342135
- PubMed Central
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3544760
- Web of Science
- https://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=JSTA_CEL&SrcApp=J_Gate_JST&DestLinkType=FullRecord&KeyUT=WOS:000314759400150&DestApp=WOS_CPL
- ID情報
-
- DOI : 10.1371/journal.pone.0054330
- ISSN : 1932-6203
- PubMed ID : 23342135
- PubMed Central 記事ID : PMC3544760
- Web of Science ID : WOS:000314759400150