[en] The status of coral reefs today is assessed largely through analysis of benthic cover, which quantifies the community structure of the ecosystem but provides only limited information on its function. Understanding ecosystem function is critical as scientists worldwide attempt to define the physical and biogeochemical conditions that indicate healthy states of coral reefs. Gross ecosystem primary production (GEP) is the major source for organic carbon on coral reefs to reef systems. It has been hypothesized that reefs of the same dominant cover class will share similar rates of GEP if they have been unaffected by stressors. This hypothesis has been supported by research in the Indo-Pacific, which found that reefs dominated by fundamental benthic functional types—coral, algae, sand—exhibit modal metabolic performance. This study aims to compare GEP for high-latitude Atlantic reefs in Bermuda. Using the gradient flux approach, daily productivity was measured for two reefs with different benthic cover. Results indicate an apparent difference in metabolic rates between Bermuda and those acquired in the CORAL mission in Hawaii, Palau, Guam, and the Great Barrier Reef. The cause of this difference is uncertain, but potential reasons include latitude, water depth, irradiance at the time of observation, and the taxa present. Future work will include analyzing additional datasets to better elucidate trends. Additional reefs should be studied across latitude and environmental gradients to investigate whether modal metabolic performance, as related to benthic cover, can be applied to coral reefs worldwide. Developing a baseline for coral reef metabolism is especially important for a proactive approach to reef health; deviations from baseline may indicate underlying stressors and allow scientists time to prevent lasting damage to coral reef communities.
