Climate Change Alterations to Ecosystem Dominance: How Might Sponge‐Dominated Reefs Function?

James J Bell,Michael W Taylor,Alberto Rovellini,Holly M Bennett,Nicole S Webster,Simon K Davy,Nora M Kandler,Elizabeth A Fulton,Heidi M Luter,Matthew R Dunn

doi:10.1002/bes2.1434

Abstract

Anthropogenic stressors are impacting ecological systems across the world. Of particular concern are the rapid changes occurring on coral reefs, with future reefs being likely to function differently to current coral-dominated ecosystems. Our research explores the impacts of changing sponge dominance on coral reefs using qualitative modelling. We found that that changing sponge dominance due to increased sponge abundance will have different outcomes for other trophic levels compared with increased sponge dominance as a result of declining coral abundance. Addressing knowledge gaps we have identified will facilitate the development of more complex models that assess functional attributes of sponge-dominated reef ecosystems. These photographs illustrate the article “Climate change alterations to ecosystem dominance: how might sponge-dominated reefs function?” by James J. Bell, Alberto Rovellini, Simon K. Davy, Michael W. Taylor, Elizabeth A. Fulton, Matthew R. Dunn, Holly M. Bennett, Nora M. Kandler, Heidi M. Luter, and Nicole S. Webster published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2446

Highlights

Environmental degradation is having a major impact on marine, terrestrial and freshwater biomes across the world, altering species distribution patterns, biodiversity and trophic structure (Estes et al 2011)
Qualitative modelling of reef futures suggests that changing sponge dominance due to increased sponge abundance will have different outcomes for other trophic levels compared with increased sponge dominance as a result of declining coral abundance
It is not our intention to suggest that all reefs will transition to sponge-dominated systems

Summary

Introduction

Environmental degradation is having a major impact on marine, terrestrial and freshwater biomes across the world, altering species distribution patterns, biodiversity and trophic structure (Estes et al 2011). Qualitative modelling of reef futures suggests that changing sponge dominance due to increased sponge abundance will have different outcomes for other trophic levels compared with increased sponge dominance as a result of declining coral abundance.

Results

Conclusion