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Tropical fish diversity enhances coral reef functioning across multiple scales
Jonathan S Lefcheck1,2, Anne A Innes-Gold3, Simon J Brandl4
1Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA.
Science Advances
|March 12, 2019
Summary
Biodiversity enhances coral reef function. Conserving herbivore species richness and biomass across multiple scales is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and promoting coral recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Ecology
- Conservation science
Background:
- Biodiversity is widely accepted to enhance ecosystem functioning.
- This understanding primarily comes from small-scale experiments.
- The effect of biodiversity on ecosystem structure and function at larger spatial scales remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of fish herbivory on coral reef ecosystems across a large spatial scale.
- To determine if herbivore diversity (alpha and beta) influences ecosystem functioning.
- To link herbivory rates to reef health indicators like algal turf height and coral recruitment.
Main Methods:
- Quantified fish herbivory rates on algal turf communities across multiple coral reefs.
- Assessed herbivore biomass and species richness (alpha-diversity) within sites.
- Analyzed regional diversity patterns (beta-diversity) and used species-diversity models.
Main Results:
- Herbivory rates were significantly predicted by herbivore biomass and species richness at both local (alpha) and regional (beta) scales.
- Multiple common grazer species were essential for maximizing herbivory.
- Higher herbivory rates correlated with reduced algal turf height and increased juvenile coral recruitment.
Conclusions:
- Fish herbivore biomass and species richness are critical drivers of coral reef ecosystem functioning.
- Biodiversity conservation across multiple spatial scales is vital for maintaining healthy coral reefs.
- Effective herbivory, driven by diverse fish communities, supports coral reef resilience and recovery.
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