Temporal functional changes in coral and fish communities on subtropical coastal coral reefs
Charlotte G. Clay
A * , James Davis Reimer B C , Katie M. Cook A D , Hirotaka Yamagawa B , Ellen Gravener A , Lee Hui Yian Theodora B E and Maria Beger A F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
B Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan.
C Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan.
D National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Hamilton, New Zealand.
E Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Singapore.
F Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
Marine and Freshwater Research 74(12) 1081-1094 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF22253
Submitted: 1 April 2022 Accepted: 17 June 2023 Published: 18 July 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: Global and local stressors can drive phase shifts from zooxanthellate scleractinian coral communities to macroalgae-dominated ecosystems. However, our understanding of altered ecosystem functioning, productivity and stability remains limited as pre-shift data are typically lacking for degraded coral-reef sites.
Aims: Here, we assessed functional changes in fish communities in Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa, Japan, over 45 years, by comparing pre-disturbance (1975) to post-disturbance (2018–2020) datasets, and identified possible drivers of changes.
Methods: We analysed data for 393 fish species and 26 coral genera at 13 sites, measured at four-time points (1975, 2018, 2019 and 2020). Analyses were performed using a range of ordination techniques.
Key results: We found reductions in functional richness and trait space contraction over time for fishes. Changes in coral functional groups over time correlated with changes in the functional diversity of reef-fish communities; a reduction in branching corals reduced habitat availability for coral-reliant fishes.
Conclusions: Increasing sedimentation and eutrophication as a result of construction along the Nakagusuku Bay coast likely reduced living coral cover and fish diversity, and thermal stress likely facilitated the simplification and shifts of both coral communities and coral specialist fishes away from shore.
Implications: Both global and local threats need to be considered when assessing functioning of coral-reef ecosystems for coral-reef conservation efforts.
Keywords: coastal urbanisation, functional change, Japan, Okinawa, reef communities, Ryukyu Islands, urban reefs, turbid reefs.
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