4.7 Article

Algal turf productivity on coral reefs: A meta-analysis

Journal

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Volume 168, Issue -, Pages -

Publisher

ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105311

Keywords

Algal turfs; Coral reef; Ecosystem function; Herbivory; Productivity; Sediment

Funding

  1. Australian Research Council [CE140100020, FL190100062]
  2. Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (SBT)
  3. Australian Research Council [FL190100062] Funding Source: Australian Research Council

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Algal turfs are a productive component of coral reef ecosystems, with depth being the primary driver of turf productivity rates and turnover mainly related to turf biomass. However, limited data availability and methodological constraints constrain our understanding of their productivity. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving our knowledge of algal turf dynamics on coral reefs.
Algal turfs are an abundant and highly productive component of coral reef ecosystems. However, our understanding of the drivers that shape algal turf productivity across studies and among reefs is limited. Based on published studies we considered how different factors may shape turf productivity and turnover rates. Of the factors considered, depth was the primary driver of turf productivity rates, while turnover was predominantly related to turf biomass. We also highlight shortcomings in the available data collected on turf productivity todate; most data were collected prior to global coral bleaching events, within a limited geographic range, and were largely from experimental substrata. Despite the fact turfs are a widespread benthic covering on most coral reefs, and one of the major sources of benthic productivity, our understanding of their productivity is constrained by both a paucity of data and methodological limitations. We offer a potential way forward to address these challenges.

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