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Diversity
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Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs
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Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 12828

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Stuart Kininmonth

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Heron Island Research Station, University of Queensland, Gladstone, QLD 4780, Australia
Interests: network modelling; marine ecosystems; bayesian networks; socioecological systems; coral reefs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As coral reefs across the globe develop a variable climate, major changes in their resilience have been observed. Despite being centres of biodiversity in the world’s oceans, species abundance variation at all trophic levels is the foundation of marine resilience. While conservation often focuses on short-term stress events, such as cyclone damage, bleaching or pollution, the capacity of coral reefs to recover is determined by processes such as the nutrient cycle and the establishment of feedback loops. All of these processes require high-level biodiversity to be healthy and active, and disruption due to anthropogenic activities can leave a coral reef highly vulnerable to long-term disturbance. The restoration of coral reefs is a potential solution. Overfishing and coastal developments are the main culprits, but alteration to a coral reef’s biodiversity can also be caused by subtle changes in anthropogenic activities.

This Special Issue of Diversity seeks papers that address the impact on conservation from the alteration or enhancement of coral reef biodiversity to protection and restoration. The research can be on a global or local scale and address a variety of time periods. Papers that acknowledge the cultural aspects of conservation and how it relates to biodiversity are particularly encouraged. This Special Issue seeks to present an updated linkage between biodiversity dynamics and conservation efforts as coral reefs struggle to survive in the twenty-first century.

Dr. Stuart Kininmonth
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • coral reefs
  • marine biodiversity
  • conservation
  • climate change
  • resilience
  • restoration

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3842 KiB  
Article
In the Face of Climate Change, Coral Reservoirs with Restoration Potential: A Case Study in Utría Cove, Eastern Tropical Pacific
by Maria Gabriela Quirama, Juan Felipe Lazarus and Mateo López-Victoria
Diversity 2025, 17(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17020124 - 11 Feb 2025
Viewed by 868
Abstract
The limited research in Utría Cove has hindered our understanding of marginal coral areas in a rapidly changing ocean. To better understand how marginal reefs could serve as coral reservoirs where local communities could actively be involved, we assessed the ecological attributes of [...] Read more.
The limited research in Utría Cove has hindered our understanding of marginal coral areas in a rapidly changing ocean. To better understand how marginal reefs could serve as coral reservoirs where local communities could actively be involved, we assessed the ecological attributes of Utría’s coral areas, documented the impact of the 2023–2024 El Niño event, and conducted a SWOT analysis to frame the restoration potential. The current state shows a reduction of 1.4 ha in La Chola reef, where the average live coral cover is 24% and algal cover is 41%. The other two coral communities assessed (Diego and Punta Diego) showed coral cover between 14% and 17%, and algal cover between 42% and 50%, respectively. No significant differences were found in structural complexity, benthic cover, and macroinvertebrates; only fish richness was significantly higher at Punta Diego. Based on previously documented higher coral cover, the three areas need interventions (i.e., active restoration), especially considering the widespread bleaching recorded (temperatures up to 31.4 °C; sustained mean temperatures of ~30 °C ± 0.43), associated with El Niño. The SWOT analysis identified four weaknesses (e.g., logistical challenges), four threats (e.g., illegal fishing), six strengths, and six opportunities that highlight the potential to engage locals in restoration by providing economic alternatives and boosting regional initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs)
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24 pages, 4679 KiB  
Article
The Coral Reefs and Fishes of St. Brandon, Indian Ocean Archipelago: Implications for Sustainable Fisheries
by Melanie Ricot, Sruti Jeetun, Shakeel Yavan Jogee, Deepeeka Kaullysing, Nawsheen Taleb-Hossenkhan, Maina Joseph Mbui, Beatriz Estela Casareto, Yoshimi Suzuki, Diah Permata Wijayanti and Ranjeet Bhagooli
Diversity 2024, 16(12), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16120710 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 913
Abstract
Understanding the factors influencing the variability in the composition of fish assemblages is essential for bolstering the resilience of coral reef ecosystems, effective coral reef management and maintaining sustainable fisheries. The benthic composition and reef fish assemblages at eight sites at the poorly [...] Read more.
Understanding the factors influencing the variability in the composition of fish assemblages is essential for bolstering the resilience of coral reef ecosystems, effective coral reef management and maintaining sustainable fisheries. The benthic composition and reef fish assemblages at eight sites at the poorly studied St. Brandon, also known as a bank fisheries area in the Indian Ocean, were assessed to discern distribution patterns, including differences between channel (Passe Grand Capitaine, Passe Ile Longue-Canal Coco and Passe La Cayane) and non-channel (Chaloupe, Anchor Points 1 and 2, Bain des Dames, Pearl Island) sites and fisheries sustainability. The benthic composition exhibited clusters, revealing the distinct separation of Chaloupe which predominantly featured sand (75.26%) interspersed with sporadic coral patches characterized by live and dead corals and rubble. The three channel sites composed a cluster. Coral species across eight families were identified, with significant variability (p < 0.05) observed in their benthic cover, particularly live coral cover (LCC). Fish density and diversity analyses unveiled 58 fish species from 12 families, with no statistically significant disparity in density among sites. Total fish biomass (TFB) and target fish biomass (TB) ranged from 138.02 ± 65.04 to 4110.16 ± 3048.70 kg/ha and from 28.31 ± 24.52 to 3851.27 ± 2753.18 kg/ha, respectively. TFB and TB differed significantly (p < 0.05) among sites irrespective of channel and non-channel sites, with Pearl Island recording the highest biomass. TFB and TB recorded at five out of the eight surveyed sites exceeded the mean biomass benchmark (B0) for the Western Indian Ocean, set at 1150.00 and 560.00 kg/ha for TFB and TB, respectively. Functional group analysis unveiled six discrete groups influencing TFB, with scrapers being the most dominant. This study presents the first report on fish biomass surveys in St. Brandon, highlighting a case for sustainable fisheries in the waters of the Republic of Mauritius. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs)
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15 pages, 3075 KiB  
Article
Decadal Changes in Benthic Community Structure and Function in a Coral Community in the Northeastern Tropical Pacific
by Cassandra de Alba-Guzmán, Rafael Andrés Cabral-Tena, Fabián Alejandro Rodríguez-Zaragoza, José de Jesús Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Amílcar Leví Cupul-Magaña and Alma Paola Rodríguez-Troncoso
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 372; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070372 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2250
Abstract
The high diversity and biomass of organisms associated with coral communities depend directly on the maintenance or changes in the benthic composition. Over a decade, we evaluated the spatiotemporal variation in the benthic structure and composition of an insular coral community in the [...] Read more.
The high diversity and biomass of organisms associated with coral communities depend directly on the maintenance or changes in the benthic composition. Over a decade, we evaluated the spatiotemporal variation in the benthic structure and composition of an insular coral community in the Northeastern Tropical Pacific. Our results show that local conditions drive spatiotemporal differences, and benthic organisms such as sponges, crustose coralline algae, octocorals, and hydrocorals all increased in abundance (cover) in response to negative thermal anomalies caused by the 2010–2011 La Niña event. In contrast, abnormally high temperatures, such as those recorded during the 2015–2016 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, explain the loss of scleractinian corals and crustose coralline algae coverage, which reduced the benthic groups’ richness (BGR), diversity (H’BG), and evenness (J’BG), with evidence of a consequent decrease in ecosystem function recorded the following year. Our analysis also showed that sites with high habitat heterogeneity harbored higher average BRG and H’BG values and were less affected by environmental fluctuations than sites with high live scleractinian coral cover and lower BRG and H’BG values. Therefore, the benthic structure was impacted differently by the same perturbation, and changes in the benthic community composition affected the groups associated with the community and ecological functions. More importantly, regional stressors such as the ENSO event caused only temporary changes in the benthic community structure, demonstrating the high resilience of the community to annual and interannual stressors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs)
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35 pages, 3311 KiB  
Article
Biodiversity of Nematodes from Coral Reef Sediments in the South China Sea Based on eDNA Metabarcoding
by Lei An, Aiyang Wang, Zheng Zhang, Xiaoliang Ren and Zhongli Sha
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070362 - 25 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1394
Abstract
Coral reef ecosystems in the South China Sea are one of the globally important marine biodiversity hotspots. However, there are few studies on nematode biodiversity in coral reef sediments. Here, we assessed nematode biodiversity in coral reef sediments in the South China Sea [...] Read more.
Coral reef ecosystems in the South China Sea are one of the globally important marine biodiversity hotspots. However, there are few studies on nematode biodiversity in coral reef sediments. Here, we assessed nematode biodiversity in coral reef sediments in the South China Sea using eDNA metabarcoding. Eight sampling stations were set up in the region north of the South China Sea Basin (Xisha and Zhongsha Islands) and south of it (Nansha Islands), respectively. We also compared and analysed the nematode biodiversity and community structure in different regions, as well as the effects of environmental factors on the community structure. The results showed that a total of 503 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected in 16 sediment samples. The nematodes identified belong to two classes, 10 orders, 37 families, 51 genera and 61 species, and all of them were Enoplea and Chromadorea, except for the unidentified taxa, which accounted for 97.26% of the total abundance. The analyses showed that the northern region had higher nematode abundance and diversity relative to the southern region. However, there was no significant difference in the nematode community structure between the two regions, which was less affected by geographic location. Similarly, environmental factors (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and arsenic) have an effect on the abundance of specific nematode groups but not on the overall community structure. In summary, this study initially reveals the composition and diversity of nematode communities in coral reef sediments in the South China Sea and provides an important reference for further in-depth study of the South China Sea ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs)
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18 pages, 20827 KiB  
Article
Crambe insularis sp. nov. (Crambeidae: Poecilosclerida) a New Crambeid from the Eastern Tropical North Pacific: Morphological, Molecular and Ontogenetic Approach
by Eric Bautista-Guerrero, José Luis Carballo and Alma Paola Rodríguez-Troncoso
Diversity 2023, 15(5), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050608 - 29 Apr 2023
Viewed by 2354
Abstract
Specimens of Poecilosclerida taxa, collected from an insular coral community on the Pacific coast of Mexico, were identified as members of the family Crambeidae Lévi, 1963. They were associated with larvae and rhagon phases by using morphological characters, the nucleotide relationship and genetic [...] Read more.
Specimens of Poecilosclerida taxa, collected from an insular coral community on the Pacific coast of Mexico, were identified as members of the family Crambeidae Lévi, 1963. They were associated with larvae and rhagon phases by using morphological characters, the nucleotide relationship and genetic divergence of three independent loci, two mitochondrial (COI and 16S rDNA) and one ribosomal (28S rDNA C3–C5). Crambe insularis sp. nov. differs from the general skeletal architecture in the genus Crambe Vosmaer, 1880, by its reduced spiculation defined by the presence of ectosomal and choanosomal monactinal megascleres, and the absence of microscleres. Bayesian and Maximum–Likelihood analyses of three loci supported the clustering of larvae, rhagon and adult sponge, all closely related to Mediterranean Crambe crambe (type species of the genus Crambe), and with South American Crambe species (C. chilensis, C. maldonadoi and C. amarilla) as sister species. The larva of C. insularis sp. nov. corresponded to the typical parenchymella larvae poecilosclerid species but with the presence of subtylostyles and styles. Ontogenetic process about the larval and rhagon of this new crambeid are provided. The morphological characters and molecular affinities of Crambe insularis sp. nov. are similar to Monanchora genus, and the implications are further discussed. This is the first taxonomic and molecular study with an integrative approach that includes other diagnostic features such as larval and rhagon development for the description of new species in Porifera. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs)
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Review

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12 pages, 956 KiB  
Review
A Review of Research on the Mustard Hill Coral, Porites astreoides
by Ryan G. Eagleson, Lorenzo Álvarez-Filip and John S. Lumsden
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030462 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3712
Abstract
Coral reefs are the most diverse habitat per unit area in the world’s oceans, supporting an estimated 1–3 million species in only 0.2% of its area. These ecosystems have suffered severe declines since the 1970s, largely as a result of climate change, ocean [...] Read more.
Coral reefs are the most diverse habitat per unit area in the world’s oceans, supporting an estimated 1–3 million species in only 0.2% of its area. These ecosystems have suffered severe declines since the 1970s, largely as a result of climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, disease, and overfishing. Porites astreoides is a shallow species that is able to thrive in a variety of environmental conditions and has been a clear ‘winner’ on Atlantic reefs in the last decades. This, coupled with its ease of identification and wide distribution, has caused P. astreoides to become a focal species in many scientific studies. Given the current and increasing significance of P. astreoides, this review sought to (i) identify the key life history traits that allowed this species to thrive under stressful conditions; (ii) compile aspects of its biology and ecology to understand its future contribution to Atlantic reefs, and (iii) identify knowledge gaps. To date, no comprehensive overview of the literature exists for P. astreoides. All articles available on Google Scholar up to the time of submission containing the terms ‘Mustard Hill Coral’, ‘Porites astreoides’, or ‘P. astreoides’ were examined for potential inclusion in this review. Papers were assessed based on whether they captured the most influential or widespread theories, represented an important trend in the research, or contained novel findings relevant to the understanding of this species. This review provides a scholarly resource and wide-ranging synthesis of P. astreoides on Atlantic reefs of today and the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Conservation of Coral Reefs)
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