Journal
CORAL REEFS
Volume 35, Issue 1, Pages 23-37Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00338-015-1339-2
Keywords
Mesophotic coral ecosystems; Ecological modeling; Population connectivity; Refugia; Coral reef resilience
Categories
Funding
- National Science Foundation [NSF OCE-0928423]
- Natural Environment Research Council (Exeter University)
- NOAA (NOAA-Pulley Ridge)
- Office Of The Director
- Office of Integrative Activities [1355437] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Whether mesophotic reefs will behave as refugia for corals threatened by global climate change and coastal development depends on vertical exchange of larvae between diverse habitats. Here we use a biophysical model of larval dispersal to estimate vertical connectivity of a broadcasting (Orbicella faveolata) and a brooding (Porites astreoides) species of coral in the US Virgin Islands. Modeling predicts subsidy to shallow areas by mesophotic larvae of both species based on local hydrology, adult reproductive characteristics, larval traits, and a wide range of scenarios developed to test depth-sensitive factors, such as fertilization rates and post-settlement survivorship. In extreme model scenarios of reduced fertilization and post-settlement survivorship of mesophotic larvae, 1-10 % local mesophotic subsidy to shallow recruitment is predicted for both species, which are demographically significant. Although direct vertical connectivity is higher for the broadcaster, the brooder demonstrates higher local multigenerational vertical connectivity, which suggests that local P. astreoides populations are more resilient than those of O. faveolata, and corroborates field studies. As shallow habitat degrades, mesophotic-shallow subsidy is predicted to increase for both species. This study is the first of its kind to simulate larval dispersal and settlement between habitats of different depths, and these findings have local, regional, and global implications for predicting and managing coral reef persistence in a changing climate.
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