Regime shift in the northernmost coral ecosystem: decline of the threatened coral Acropora pruinosa due to grazing by Diadema setosum

Abstract

Once thriving in Suruga Bay, Japan, the threatened coral species, Acropora pruinosa, faced drastic declines due to climate change and sea urchin grazing. Fourteen-years of observation (2009–2023) showed near extinction, highlighting the urgent need for conservation of corals, even in temperate zones, to preserve biodiversity.