Acropora pulchra; Bora Bora; Macroalgae; Sea urchins; Tripneustes gratilla; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Aquatic Science; Ecology; French Polynesia; Marine Biology; Coral Reefs
Abstract :
[en] Coral reefs, some of the most important marine ecosystems, are mainly structured by interactions between corals and benthic algae. The outcome of these interactions varies depending on the types of corals and algae involved. However, human activities, associated mainly with eutrophication and overfishing of herbivorous organisms, strongly impact the outcome of algae-coral interactions by promoting progressive replacement of corals by algae. The present study aimed to firstly establish the first inventory of algae-coral interactions at the species level on the Bora Bora reefs, and then experimentally determine the role of herbivorous species (sea urchins and Trochus shells) in the regulation of these complex algae-coral interactions. Firstly, visual surveys showed that the outcome of algae-coral interactions varied significantly according to the length of the algae-coral interaction border, and among algae-coral couples. For example, unhealthy coral colonies with large interaction borders were associated with a higher percentage of negative interactions. Then, using experimental enclosures for 70 days, we showed that the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla controlled the proliferation of algae and thus allowed a better growth of Acropora corals. Overall, the present study suggests that conservation programs should rely on grazer densities as a Nature-Based Solution to attenuate global shifts from coral- to algal-dominance.
Research Center/Unit :
FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
Carpentier, C.; University of French Polynesia, UMR EIO, Tahiti, French Polynesia ; Espace Bleu & Sea Narea, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bertucci, F.; UMR MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, Sète, France
Sowinski, L.; Espace Bleu & Sea Narea, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Gairin, E.; Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan
Minier, L.; PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR3278 CRIOBE, Moorea, French Polynesia ; Polynésienne des Eaux, Vaitape, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
This work has received several grants: Fondation de France (2019\u201308602), Polyn\u00E9sienne des Eaux, Bloody Mary\u2019s project, ANR-19-CE34-0006-Manini, ANR-19-CE14-0010-SENSO, ANR-23-SSRP-0020-01, and ANRT grant (CIFRE 2021/1268).
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