Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/38381
Title: | Collapsing ecosystem functions on an inshore coral reef | Contributor(s): | Tebbett, Sterling B (author); Morais, Renato A (author); Goatley, Christopher H R (author)![]() |
Publication Date: | 2021-07-01 | Early Online Version: | 2021-03-31 | DOI: | 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112471 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/38381 | Abstract: | Ecosystem functions underpin productivity and key services to humans, such as food provision. However, as the severity of environmental stressors intensifies, it is becoming increasingly unclear if, and to what extent, critical functions and services can be sustained. This issue is epitomised on coral reefs, an ecosystem at the forefront of environmental transitions. We provide a functional profile of a coral reef ecosystem, linking time-series data to quantified processes. The data reveal a prolonged collapse of ecosystem functions in this previously resilient system. The results suggest that sediment accumulation in algal turfs has led to a decline in resource yields to herbivorous fishes and a decrease in fish-based ecosystem functions, including a collapse of both fish biomass and productivity. Unfortunately, at present, algal turf sediment accumulation is rarely monitored nor managed in coral reef systems. Our examination of functions through time highlights the value of directly assessing functions, their potential vulnerability, and the capacity of algal turf sediments to overwhelm productive high-diversity coral reef ecosystems. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Grant Details: | ARC/CE140100020 ARC/FL190100062 |
Source of Publication: | Journal of Environmental Management, v.289, p. 1-11 | Publisher: | Elsevier BV | Place of Publication: | Netherlands | ISSN: | 1095-8630 0301-4797 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 310301 Behavioural ecology 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) 370201 Climate change processes |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 180203 Coastal or estuarine biodiversity | Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
---|---|
Appears in Collections: | Journal Article School of Environmental and Rural Science |
Files in This Item:
File | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|
closedpublished/CollapsingGoatley2021JournalArticle.pdf | 5.36 MB | Adobe PDF Download Adobe | View/Open |
SCOPUSTM
Citations
27
checked on Aug 10, 2024
Page view(s)
1,092
checked on Oct 8, 2023
Download(s)
162
checked on Oct 8, 2023
Items in Research UNE are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.