Coral community composition and carbonate production in an urbanized seascape.

Autor: Ng CSL; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore. Electronic address: lionel.ngcs@gmail.com., Chan YKS; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore., Nguyen NTH; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore., Kikuzawa YP; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore., Sam SQ; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore., Toh TC; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore; College of Alice and Peter Tan, National University of Singapore, 8 College Avenue East, 138615, Singapore., Mock AYJ; Yale-NUS College, Environmental Studies, National University of Singapore, 16 College Avenue West, 138527, Singapore., Chou LM; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore., Huang D; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119223, Singapore; Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Marine environmental research [Mar Environ Res] 2021 Jun; Vol. 168, pp. 105322. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 31.
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105322
Abstrakt: Coastal urbanization causes environmental modifications that directly and indirectly influence the distribution and functioning of coral reefs. However, the capacity of urban infrastructure to support corals and vertically accrete is less understood. Here, we investigated if coral communities on reefs and seawalls in Singapore are distinct, and examined the environmental variables influencing coral carbonate production. Surveys at 22 sites yielded 134 coral species, with richness significantly higher on reefs. Coral cover and Shannon index did not differ between habitat types. Community composition was distinct between habitat types, with seawalls supporting a higher proportion of massive and thick-plating species. 'Distance from mainland' was the single most important variable influencing normalized carbonate production rates (a function of species-specific linear extension rate and skeletal bulk density and site coral cover), which were higher further from the mainland where human activity and development pressures were greater. Our results indicate that environmental filtering strongly shapes coral communities and may influence ecosystem functioning in Singapore's urbanized reef system. The findings will guide the management of reefs on increasingly urbanized coastlines.
(Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz: