Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality
Environmental drivers of coral condition (maximum quantum yield, symbiont density, chlorophyll a content and coral skeletal growth rates) were assessed in the equatorial inshore coastal waters of Singapore, where the amplitude of seasonal variation is low, but anthropogenic influence is relatively h...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2015
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/14722 |
| _version_ | 1848748699412332544 |
|---|---|
| author | Browne, Nicola Tay, J. Low, J. Larson, O. Todd, P. |
| author_facet | Browne, Nicola Tay, J. Low, J. Larson, O. Todd, P. |
| author_sort | Browne, Nicola |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Environmental drivers of coral condition (maximum quantum yield, symbiont density, chlorophyll a content and coral skeletal growth rates) were assessed in the equatorial inshore coastal waters of Singapore, where the amplitude of seasonal variation is low, but anthropogenic influence is relatively high. Water quality variables (sediments, nutrients, trace metals, temperature, light) explained between 52 and 83% of the variation in coral condition, with sediments and light availability as key drivers of foliose corals (Merulina ampliata, Pachyseris speciosa), and temperature exerting a greater influence on a branching coral (Pocillopora damicornis). Seasonal reductions in water quality led to high chlorophyll a concentrations and maximum quantum yields in corals, but low growth rates. These marginal coral communities are potentially vulnerable to climate change, hence, we propose water quality thresholds for coral growth with the aim of mitigating both local and global environmental impacts. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:09:12Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-14722 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:09:12Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-147222017-09-13T15:34:01Z Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality Browne, Nicola Tay, J. Low, J. Larson, O. Todd, P. Tolerance Coral growth Turbid reefs Singapore Coral photo-physiology Water quality Sediments Environmental drivers of coral condition (maximum quantum yield, symbiont density, chlorophyll a content and coral skeletal growth rates) were assessed in the equatorial inshore coastal waters of Singapore, where the amplitude of seasonal variation is low, but anthropogenic influence is relatively high. Water quality variables (sediments, nutrients, trace metals, temperature, light) explained between 52 and 83% of the variation in coral condition, with sediments and light availability as key drivers of foliose corals (Merulina ampliata, Pachyseris speciosa), and temperature exerting a greater influence on a branching coral (Pocillopora damicornis). Seasonal reductions in water quality led to high chlorophyll a concentrations and maximum quantum yields in corals, but low growth rates. These marginal coral communities are potentially vulnerable to climate change, hence, we propose water quality thresholds for coral growth with the aim of mitigating both local and global environmental impacts. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/14722 10.1016/j.marenvres.2015.02.002 Elsevier fulltext |
| spellingShingle | Tolerance Coral growth Turbid reefs Singapore Coral photo-physiology Water quality Sediments Browne, Nicola Tay, J. Low, J. Larson, O. Todd, P. Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality |
| title | Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality |
| title_full | Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality |
| title_fullStr | Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality |
| title_short | Fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality |
| title_sort | fluctuations in coral health of four common inshore reef corals in response to seasonal and anthropogenic changes in water quality |
| topic | Tolerance Coral growth Turbid reefs Singapore Coral photo-physiology Water quality Sediments |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/14722 |