Changing Coral Reef Biodiversity and Function in the Anthropocene

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine and Freshwater Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026 | Viewed by 1539

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
Interests: butterflyfishes; coral biology; crown-of-thorns starfish; coral reef management; dietary and habitat specialisation; disturbance ecology; ecology of reef fishes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Being among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, coral reefs are also crucial in providing critical ecosystem services. However, escalating anthropogenic pressures—including climate change, overfishing, and coastal development—are drastically impacting the biodiversity and function of these ecosystems. This Special Issue explores changes in the ecological structure and function of coral reefs in the Anthropocene, considering a range of reef organisms, with special close attention to under-studied species groups. We invite contributions that highlight new and novel insights into the threats posed by escalating human pressures, and/or offer solutions to ensure the conservation of critical components of corals reef that will ensure continued provisioning of key services. By integrating fundamental biology with applied solutions, this collection aims to advance our understanding of observed and projected changes in coral reef biodiversity and function in the Anthropocene.

Prof. Dr. Morgan Pratchett
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • anthropogenic stressors
  • coral reefs
  • climate change
  • biodiversity loss
  • marine conservation
  • ecological adaptation
  • ecosystem function
  • resilience

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 3657 KB  
Article
Taxonomic Variation in Coral Depletion at Orpheus Island (Inshore Great Barrier Reef, Australia) Linked to Unprecedented Rainfall and Hyposalinity
by Morgan S. Pratchett, Harrison Locke, Roemer Booij, Ewa Buczkowska, Raj H. Mathias, Jennifer Calcraft, Gideon Heller-Wagner, Scott F. Heron, Peter C. Doll and Mike J. McWilliam
Biology 2026, 15(9), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15090718 - 1 May 2026
Viewed by 858
Abstract
Acute disturbances caused by changing environmental conditions are increasingly affecting the structure and function of coral reef ecosystems. Notably, changing rainfall patterns are leading to increasing incidence of hyposalinity. This study explored interannual changes in the overall cover and composition of hard corals [...] Read more.
Acute disturbances caused by changing environmental conditions are increasingly affecting the structure and function of coral reef ecosystems. Notably, changing rainfall patterns are leading to increasing incidence of hyposalinity. This study explored interannual changes in the overall cover and composition of hard corals (order Scleractinia) in Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island, which was subject to hyposalinity during unprecedented high rainfall in February 2025. Hard coral cover declined 66.60%, from 41.66% (±1.22 SE) in September 2024 to 13.92% (±0.92 SE) in October 2025, with coral loss mostly apparent on the reef flat and reef crest. Coral loss was not equally apportioned among different coral taxa (genera), possibly reflecting differential susceptibility to hyposalinity based on specific physiology and habitat associations. The most pronounced declines were recorded among Merulinidae, which were the predominant hard corals on the reef flat in 2024. Soft corals were similarly affected and exhibited major declines in abundance on the reef flat. Hyposalinity is rarely considered among the suite of climatic disturbances that impact on coral assemblages and reef ecosystems, but this research shows that the potential ecological effects are very extensive, adding to the diversity of acute disturbances that will influence the structure coral reef ecosystems in the Anthropocene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Changing Coral Reef Biodiversity and Function in the Anthropocene)
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