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Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities
Published on: January 6, 2023
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Microbial processes driving coral reef organic carbon flow.
Cynthia B Silveira1,2, Giselle S Cavalcanti1,2, Juline M Walter1
1Institute of Biology and COPPE/SAGE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, RJ 21941-599, Brazil.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|May 10, 2017
Summary
Coral reefs experience microbial phase shifts when species change, impacting carbon flow and ecosystem resilience. These shifts in microbial communities can lead to degraded reef states.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Microbial Ecology
- Ecosystem Dynamics
Background:
- Coral reefs are highly productive ecosystems, comparable to rainforests.
- Benthic organisms release significant organic matter as mucus, fueling rapid microbial growth.
- Anthropogenic disturbances can lead to phase shifts from coral to fleshy organism dominance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review microbial processes in coral reef organic carbon flux during species phase shifts.
- To identify ecosystem-level microbial responses to benthic phase shifts.
- To discuss the role of microbial consumption in reef trophic dynamics and resilience.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of microbial processes in coral reefs.
- Analysis of microbial community composition, biomass, metabolism, and viral predation.
- Examination of organic carbon flux and trophic relationships.
Main Results:
- Microbial communities within the coral holobiont are key to reef carbon flow.
- Benthic species phase shifts alter microbial community composition, biomass, metabolism, and viral predation.
- Microbial consumption of benthic organic matter significantly impacts reef trophic relationships.
Conclusions:
- Microbial phase shifts are linked to reduced coral reef resilience.
- These shifts can facilitate transitions to degraded ecosystem states.
- Understanding microbial roles is crucial for coral reef conservation and management.
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