Effects of herbivores, wave exposure and depth on benthic coral communities of the Easter Island ecoregion
Erin E. Easton A D , Carlos F. Gaymer A E , Alan M. Friedlander A B C and James J. Herlan A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Millennium Nucleus for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI), Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile.
B Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC 20036, USA.
C Fisheries Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
D Present address: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA.
E Corresponding author. Email: cgaymer@ucn.cl
Marine and Freshwater Research 69(6) 997-1006 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17064
Submitted: 3 June 2017 Accepted: 16 November 2017 Published: 27 February 2018
Abstract
The Easter Island ecoregion includes Rapa Nui (Easter Island; RN), with a human population of ~5600, and the uninhabited Salas y Gómez (SyG). Although the culture and terrestrial ecology of RN have been well studied, we know little about the marine environment of these islands, particularly the interplay among herbivores, algae, and corals, and how coral reef communities differ between islands, by wave energy exposure, and between depths. To address the potential roles of herbivores, wave-energy exposure, and depth on the sessile benthic communities, we examined herbivorous fish biomass, sea urchin (Diadema savignyi) density, and algal and coral cover to identify patterns and relationships among these groups. We found significant differences between islands. For example, turf and macroalgae were nearly absent from SyG, whereas D. savignyi density and Kyphosus sandwicensis biomass were ~28- and ~3-fold greater respectively at SyG. Benthic cover of coral and algae and density of D. savignyi significantly differed among levels of wave exposure, especially between wave-protected stations and semi-exposed and exposed stations. Likewise, community structure significantly differed at protected stations. Concordant patterns between herbivores and algae were observed. Therefore, herbivores and wave energy likely play important roles in structuring these benthic communities, especially for algal groups.
Additional keywords: community structure, Diadema savignyi, fishing impacts, trophic structure.
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