International Coral Reef Symposium Research Articles

The rangeomorph Pectinifrons abyssalis: Hydrodynamic function at the dawn of animal life

Rangeomorphs are among the oldest putative eumetazoans known from the fossil record. Establishing how they fed is thus key to understanding the structure and function of the earliest animal ecosystems. Here, we use computational fluid dynamics to test hypothesized feeding modes for the fence-like rangeomorph Pectinifrons abyssalis, comparing this to the morphologically similar extant carnivorous sponge Chondrocladia lyra. Our results reveal complex patterns of flow around P.abyssalis unlike those previously reconstructed for any other Ediacaran taxon. Comparisons with C. lyra reveal substantial differences between the two organisms, suggesting they converged on a similar fence-like morphology for different functions. We argue that the flow patterns recovered for P.abyssalis do not support either a suspension feeding or osmotrophic feeding habit. Instead, our results indicate that rangeomorph fronds may represent organs adapted for gas exchange. If correct, this interpretation could require a dramatic reinterpretation of the oldest macroscopic animals.

Stokes drift through corals

Motivated by shallow ocean waves propagating over coral reefs, we investigate the drift velocities due to surface wave motion in an effectively inviscid fluid that overlies a saturated porous bed of finite depth. Previous work in this area either neglects the large-scale flow between layers (Phillips in Flow and reactions in permeable rocks, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991) or only considers the drift above the porous layer (Monismith in Ann Rev Fluid Mech 39:37–55, 2007). Overcoming these limitations, we propose a model where flow is described by a velocity potential above the porous layer and by Darcy’s law in the porous bed, with derived matching conditions at the interface between the two layers. Both a horizontal and a novel vertical drift effect arise from the damping of the porous bed, which requires the use of a complex wavenumber k. This is in contrast to the purely horizontal second-order drift first derived by Stokes (Trans Camb Philos Soc 8:441–455, 1847) when working with solely a pure fluid layer. Our work provides a physical model for coral reefs in shallow seas, where fluid drift both above and within the reef is vitally important for maintaining a healthy reef ecosystem (Koehl et al. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, vol 2, pp 1087–1092, 1997; Monismith in Ann Rev Fluid Mech 39:37–55, 2007). We compare our model with field measurements by Koehl and Hadfield (J Mar Syst 49:75–88, 2004) and also explain the vertical drift effects as documented by Koehl et al. (Mar Ecol Prog Ser 335:1–18, 2007), who measured the exchange between a coral reef layer and the (relatively shallow) sea above.

Reefs in Space and Time: Recognizing David Stoddart's Contribution to Coral Reef Science

This volume of papers grew out of a session titled ‘Modern reefs and reef islands: reflections and resonance of David Stoddart’s contributions to coral reef science’ held on the first day of the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Honolulu, Hawaii in June 2016. The session aimed to recognize the late David Stoddart’s pioneering research and organizational initiatives in the development of coral reef science over the last few decades. The present contributions are a derivative of that session and are arranged in sequence that reflects major phases of Stoddart’s field activity from British Honduras (Belize) in the early 1960s through French Polynesia in the 1990s. This sequence is introduced in a summary of over 240 of Stoddart’s writings on coral reefs that covers the key themes and regions as well as a comprehensive bibliography of those writings. Two locations where Stoddart had a constant interest were Belize on the Atlantic coast of Central America; and Aldabra in the western Indian Ocean. Contributions on both of these locations are included here: the first being a review of marine research in the Belize atolls since the early work of Stoddart, who noted that these were not Darwinian atolls but part of a massive carbonate platform; the second being a study of the benthic communities and bathymetry of the lagoon at Aldabra.

Global patterns and impacts of El Niño events on coral reefs: A meta-analysis.

Impacts of global climate change on coral reefs are being amplified by pulse heat stress events, including El Niño, the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Despite reports of extensive coral bleaching and up to 97% coral mortality induced by El Niño events, a quantitative synthesis of the nature, intensity, and drivers of El Niño and La Niña impacts on corals is lacking. Herein, we first present a global meta-analysis of studies quantifying the effects of El Niño/La Niña-warming on corals, surveying studies from both the primary literature and International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) Proceedings. Overall, the strongest signal for El Niño/La Niña-associated coral bleaching was long-term mean temperature; bleaching decreased with decreasing long-term mean temperature (n = 20 studies). Additionally, coral cover losses during El Niño/La Niña were shaped by localized maximum heat stress and long-term mean temperature (n = 28 studies). Second, we present a method for quantifying coral heat stress which, for any coral reef location in the world, allows extraction of remotely-sensed degree heating weeks (DHW) for any date (since 1982), quantification of the maximum DHW, and the time lag since the maximum DHW. Using this method, we show that the 2015/16 El Niño event instigated unprecedented global coral heat stress across the world's oceans. With El Niño events expected to increase in frequency and severity this century, it is imperative that we gain a clear understanding of how these thermal stress anomalies impact different coral species and coral reef regions. We therefore finish with recommendations for future coral bleaching studies that will foster improved syntheses, as well as predictive and adaptive capacity to extreme warming events.

Biopolarity: Coral Scientists between Hope and Despair

On July 5, 2016, I returned from the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Hawai'i. Some 2,500 coral scientists, managers and policy makers from 70 countries had convened there, as they do e...

David Stoddart OBE

David Stoddart <scp>OBE</scp>

INTERNAL TIDE AND ITS ASSOCIATED COOLING SYSTEM IN GENKA BAY, OKINAWA, JAPAN

Poster

INTRODUCTION The role of environment and microorganisms in diseases of corals: overview of DAO Special 5 Kiho Kim1,*, Cathie A. Page2, C. Drew Harvell3

Coral reefs are in decline worldwide. In the last several decades, bleaching and disease in a warming ocean have emerged as dominant drivers of ecological change on coral reefs. This special issue of DAO presents papers based on presentations from the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (2008, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA). The articles herein document disease outbreaks involving novel hosts, pathogens and/or locations, experimental studies investigating processes and mechanisms underlying pathogen dynamics, and the application of increasingly sophisticated laboratory and modeling approaches to understanding disease epizootiology.

A Call to Action for Coral Reefs

At the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) held in July in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, midway through the International Year of the Reef, more than 3500 experts from 75 countries assembled to face some hard truths: Coral reefs are teetering on the edge of survival, and it is our fault. High levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can produce a lethal combination of warmer seawater and lower pH. Pervasive overfishing, pollution, coastal development, and physical damage further undermine reef health—and consequently the health of the people and ecosystems depending upon them ([1][1]). Coral reefs feed, protect, and provide livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people around the world. They create homes for billions of fish and other animals, buffer coastlines from the ravages of storms, and provide rich economic opportunities through tourism and fishing. Their value to society has been estimated at more than $300 billion per year. Reefs are the dynamic centers of the most concentrated biodiversity on Earth. It is not too late to save coral reefs. A consensus emerged at the 11th ICRS that society has both the knowledge and the tools to bring coral reefs back from the brink. We have a real—but rapidly narrowing—window of opportunity in which to take decisive action. We must immediately: (i) Cut CO2 emissions by lowering our carbon footprint and ask our policy-makers to commit to low carbon economic growth. (ii) Eliminate open-access fisheries in coral reef ecosystems and instead establish and enforce regulations on user rights, total allowable catch, individual catch quotas, nondestructive gear, and other sustainable fisheries regulations. (iii) Protect coral reef herbivores, including parrotfish, by banning the harvesting of these species for sale and commercial consumption. (iv) Establish and strictly enforce networks of Marine Protected Areas that include No-Take Areas. (v) Effectively manage the waters in between Marine Protected Areas. (vi) Maintain connectivity between coral reefs and associated habitats; mangroves, sea grass beds, and lagoons contribute to the integrity of reef ecosystems and their continued production of ecosystem services. (vii) Report regularly and publicly on the health of local coral reefs. (viii) Recognize the links between what we do on land and how it affects the ocean. (ix) Bring local actors together—including members of industry, civil society, local government, and the scientific community—to develop a shared vision of healthy reefs and a road map for getting there. Only by taking bold and urgent steps now can we hope to ensure that reefs will survive to enrich life on Earth, as they have for millions of years before us. By failing to act, we risk bequeathing an impoverished ocean to our children and future generations ([2][2]). 1. 1.[↵][3]An overview of the 2632 papers presented can be found on [www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/outcomes.html][4]. 2. 2.[↵][5]Please add your name to sign up for this Call to Action. Go to [www.thepetitionsite.com/1/11th-international-coral-reef-symposium-call-to-action][6]. 3. 3.R.E.D. is the Chair of the 11th ICRS Local Organizing Committee (LOC); C.B., M.H., J.K., S.R.P., and O.H.-G. are Super Chairs of the 11th ICRS Mini-Symposia. R.v.W. is the Science Chair of the LOC. J.C.O. and B.D.C. are LOC organizers, R.B.A. is the President of the International Society for Reef Studies, and F.S. is Coordinator of the International Year of the Reef 2008. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1. in text [4]: http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/outcomes.html [5]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2. in text [6]: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/11th-international-coral-reef-symposium-call-to-action

Overfishing worse than thought

The work, presented Tuesday at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, suggests that for fifteen of twenty tropical island nations and territories examined, subsistence and recreational fishing has gone almost completely unreported over the past half-century. Such fishing actually collects a volume of reef fish at least as great as official statistics show, and in most cases much more.

From molecules to moonbeams: Spawning synchrony in coral reef organisms

Summary A mini-symposium at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium highlighted significant advances towards understanding the factors controlling reproductive timing and spawning synchrony in coral reef organisms. Studies of the phenology of reef organisms are finally moving beyond the purely descriptive and researchers are starting to explore the molecular mechanisms underpinning spawning synchrony. An increasing geographical focus of research, in particular much novel work from the centre of coral reef diversity, is enabling rigorous examination of latitudinal gradients of spawning synchrony and the role of environmental factors such as sea temperature and insolation in regulating spawning timing.

New editorship, new developments, at Coral Reefs

On 1 July 2005 I took over the Editorship of Coral Reefs from Dick Dodge, who is now heavily involved in the planning of the next International Coral Reef Symposium. Dick has done an excellent job for the journal over his 5-year-tenure. We all have to congratulate him for achieving such high standards through his dedicated work. Thank you. My Editorship opens with many new exciting developments for Coral Reefs. Nick Polunin (ISRS President) and Dick Dodge agreed a new page allowance with our publisher, Springer earlier this year. In the current year (2005), the journal will publish 704 pages. This rises to 800 pages next year, and 900 pages in 2007. What does this mean for the reader and the author? For authors, your accepted papers will appear in the printed journal more quickly. For readers, you will experience greater content, and more up-to-date science. Increased publication capacity is just one side of the picture. To improve our manuscript handling and review, we have introduced a new electronic process. From 1 July, authors, reviewers and the editorial team have all had direct internet access to our dedicated site at Manuscript Central: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/coral. Authors now submit their manuscripts electronically to the site, the Editorial Office co-ordinates and oversees the routing of manuscripts to the Topic Editors who handle the review process. Reviewers can then access manuscripts and either work onor off-line. Authors can track their manuscripts at all stages of the process. Using this system we can minimise delays, and reduce time in review. I encourage potential authors to visit the site where they will find helpful guidance. I also recognise that some of you may find the idea alien and impersonal. I can assure you that it is not, ‘real people‘ are working with your manuscript, you can see their names and contact them easily. The academic community has always been at the forefront in adopting new technology and tools, this is a major step forward for Coral Reefs, and a necessary one if we are to keep to the fore of publishing. We have also made changes to the format of ‘Notes’. These are short manuscripts of up to 2–4 journal pages. They are valuable contributions to the science, and are subject to the same critical review process. To enhance their status, Notes will be allowed short abstracts in future. This will enable them to be cross-referenced by the various abstracting services, and so improve their visibility to the research community. There have also been major changes at our publisher, Springer, over the last year. We have a new editorial team based in Holland following the merger between Springer and Kluwer Academic Publishing. The new company is the second largest professional publisher in the fields of science, technology and medicine worldwide. Suzanne Mekking is our Publishing Editor at Springer. The production stays in Heidelberg, Germany, and we welcome Elke Werner as the new Production Editor from 1 August. It is she who liaises with authors once their papers have been accepted and the copy editing/ publishing process is initiated. I, the Topic Editors, the Editorial Board, and the team at Springer look forward to working with you all in striving to establish our journal as the premier location for the publication of papers related to the study of corals and coral reefs.

The Human Dimension of Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas: Recent Social Science Research and Its Policy Implications

Coral reefs provide ecosystem goods and services to millions of people around the world (Cesar et al. 1997; Costanza et al. 1997). The long-term sustainability of these ecosystem benefits is threatened, however, by direct overexploitation of coral reef resources, destructive fishing practices, air and water pollution, and climate change (Wilkinson 2000). Traditional efforts to manage coral reefs—species by species, sector by sector—have proven insufficient to ensure resource sustainability or to protect biodiversity against these threats, spurring calls for an ecosystem-oriented approach (Botsford et al. 1997; Cicin-Sain & Knecht 1998; National Research Council 1999, 2001 ). Central to this ecosystem approach to coral reef management are marine protected areas (MPAs), a family of spatially explicit marine management systems that includes underwater parks, fishery reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries (National Research Council 1999, 2001). Coral reef MPAs have yet to realize their full potential. Although the number of coral reef MPAs has grown rapidly in recent years, their performance remains highly variable (Kelleher et al. 1995; Halpern in press; M. G. Pajaro, C. M. Nozawa, M. N. Lavides, and S. Gutierrez. 2000. Status of marine protected areas in the Philippines: better management of coral reefs and coastal areas in the tropics. Paper presented at the 9th ICRS [hereafter referred to as Pajaro et al. 2000].). Research suggests that social factors, not biological or physical variables, are the primary determinants of MPA success or failure (Kelleher & Recchia 1998; McClanahan 1999). Efforts to design more effective coral reef MPAs are hindered, however, by the dearth of social scientific research into the human dimensions of MPA development and management. Social science research presented during the ninth International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS; in Bali, Indonesia, 2000) provides valuable insights into the human dimensions of coral reef MPAs. Here I synthesize findings from social science MPA research delivered at the ICRS and suggest several implications of these findings for coral reef MPA policy.

Ninth International Coral Reef Symposium. Reef migrations, bleaching effects stir the air in Bali.

More than 1500 marine biologists, ecologists, conservationists, and community activists met at this Bali resort from 23 to 27 October for the Ninth International Coral Reef Symposium. Topics included the dynamics of reef fish communities and the lingering impacts of coral bleaching.

The Year of the Reef-Special Issue-Plenaries from the Eighth International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama

The Year of the Reef-Special Issue-Plenaries from the Eighth International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama

8th International Coral Reef Symposium

8th International Coral Reef Symposium

Guide to authors preparing papers for the 7th International Coral Reef Symposium and for publication in Coral Reefs

This is a statement of the problem, along with a summary of the method adopted for solving the problem, the major results and conclusions, and an explanation regarding the importance of the research. The Abstract should not include phrases such as “the results will be discussed...”.