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The geochemical and biological study of corals
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Indication of macroalgae on the degeneration of coral reefs in the South China Sea
P-G3-14-S
Zhiheng Liao* , 1 Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 53004, China
2 Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 53004, China
3 School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 53004, China
Kefu Yu, 1 Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 53004, China
2 Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 53004, China
3 School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 53004, China
Yinghui Wang, 1 Coral Reef Research Center of China, Guangxi University, Nanning 53004, China
2 Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 53004, China
3 School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 53004, China
Presenter Email: 734832054@qq.com |
| Since the 21th century, most coral reefs in the South China Sea have been undergoing rapid degradation due to anthropogenic stressors and changes in the natural environment. Phase shifts from coral-dominated to algal-dominated occur frequently on the degenerated reefs, which negative affects hard coral growth, fecundity, and recruitment. Here we surveyed benthic cover, coral recruits, and coral-algal interactions in nine reefs of the South China Sea, and how macroalgae impacts the distribution, growth and recruitment of hard coral. We found differences in coral cover (5 to 43 %), macroalgae (fleshy macroalgae, turf algae, Halimeda and CCA) cover (13 to 45 %), and coral recruits (4 to 38 ind m-2) between sites, and the outcomes of coral-algal interaction varied across different reefs. Comparing with coral reefs in high coral cover, more frequent and harmful of macroalgal contact could be found in reefs that were dominated by fleshy macroalgae and turfs. Turf algae contributes the most on negative impacts corals; macroalgae, except CCA, were negative relationship with coral recruits. CCA were less harmful on corals and positive relationship with coral recruits. Halimeda negative impacts coral only in high cover. As macroalgae increase in degenerated coral reefs, competitive interaction between coral and macroalgae could negative impacts coral growth and coral community, and promote a further collapse of coral reef ecosystems. |
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