Mesophotic bioerosion: Variability and structural impact on U.S. Virgin Island deep reefs

Abstract

Mesophotic reef corals, found 30–150m below sea level, build complex structures that provide habitats for diverse ecosystems. Whereas bioerosion is known to impact the development and persistence of shallow reef structures, little is known regarding the extent of mesophotic bioerosion or how it might affect deeper reef geomorphology and carbonate accretion. Originally pristine experimental coral substrates and collected coral rubble were both used to investigate the variation and significance of mesophotic coral reef bioerosion south of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Bioerosion rates were calculated from experimental coral substrates exposed as framework for 1 and 2years at four structurally distinct mesophotic coral reef habitats (between 30 and 45m) as well as at a mid-shelf patch reef (21m) and a shallow fringing patch reef (9m). The long-term effects of macroboring were assessed by examining coral rubble collected at all sites.Overall, differences in bioerosional processes were found between shallow and mesophotic reefs. Increases in bioerosion on experimental substrates (amount of weight lost) were related to both decreasing seawater depth and increasing biomass of bioeroding parrotfish. Significant differences in coral skeleton bioerosion rates were also found between the transitional mesophotic reef zone (30–35m) and the upper mesophotic reef zone (35–50m) after 2years of exposure, ranging from −19.6 to 3.7g/year. Total coral rubble macroboring was greater at most deep sites compared to shallower sites. Bioerosional grazing was found to dominate initial substrate modification in reefs 30.7m and shallower, but sponges are believed to act as the main time-averaged long-term substrate bioeroders in reefs between 35 and 50m. Although initial substrate bioerosion rates of a uniform substrate were relatively homogeneous in the 35–50m depth zone, comparison of site composition suggests that mesophotic bioerosion will vary depending on the amount, location, and type of available substrate, and the duration both coral rubble and in situ coral framework are exposed on the seafloor. These variations may exaggerate pronounced structural differences in mesophotic reef habitats that experience few other methods of erosion.