Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia
Encrusting reef organisms such as crustose coralline algae (CCA), serpulid worms, bivalves, bryozoans, and foraminifera (collectively termed encrusters) provide essential ecosystem services and are a critical part of the reef framework. Globally, research into in situ growth and carbonate production...
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
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ELSEVIER SCI LTD
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE180100391 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/90257 |
| _version_ | 1848765357773291520 |
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| author | Dee, S. Cuttler, M. Cartwright, P. McIlwain, Jennifer Browne, Nicola |
| author_facet | Dee, S. Cuttler, M. Cartwright, P. McIlwain, Jennifer Browne, Nicola |
| author_sort | Dee, S. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Encrusting reef organisms such as crustose coralline algae (CCA), serpulid worms, bivalves, bryozoans, and foraminifera (collectively termed encrusters) provide essential ecosystem services and are a critical part of the reef framework. Globally, research into in situ growth and carbonate production of encrusters has focused on clear water fore-reef settings in the Pacific and Caribbean, with limited studies being conducted on marginal reef systems or within the Indian Ocean. Here we examined spatial and temporal variation in CCA coverage (%) and total encruster carbonate production rates (g cm−2 yr−1) across two inshore turbid island reefs of northern Western Australia. We recorded average carbonate production rates of 0.039 ± 0.002 g cm−2 yr−1, which are comparable to healthy reef sites globally. Our results show variation in lateral CCA cover over small spatial scales, with a strong seasonal signature, while constant average carbonate production rates were maintained. Additionally, we recorded in situ water temperatures above predicted coral bleaching threshold of 29 °C for four weeks and found annual patterns of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) of 2 °C or more being a regular occurrence over the hotter months. Encrusters on these reefs are considered to have a vital contribution to the reef carbonate budgets, and if they maintain stable carbonate production through periods of SSTA, they may support net positive reef carbonate budgets. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:33:58Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-90257 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:33:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publisher | ELSEVIER SCI LTD |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-902572023-06-13T05:04:39Z Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia Dee, S. Cuttler, M. Cartwright, P. McIlwain, Jennifer Browne, Nicola Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Environmental Sciences Marine & Freshwater Biology Toxicology Environmental Sciences & Ecology Marine encrusters Crustose coralline algae Carbonate production Inshore reefs Carbonate budget CRUSTOSE CORALLINE ALGAE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION PHYMATOLITHON-CALCAREUM GROWTH-RATES CALCIFICATION RHODOPHYTA RECRUITMENT COLONIZATION ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITIES Encrusting reef organisms such as crustose coralline algae (CCA), serpulid worms, bivalves, bryozoans, and foraminifera (collectively termed encrusters) provide essential ecosystem services and are a critical part of the reef framework. Globally, research into in situ growth and carbonate production of encrusters has focused on clear water fore-reef settings in the Pacific and Caribbean, with limited studies being conducted on marginal reef systems or within the Indian Ocean. Here we examined spatial and temporal variation in CCA coverage (%) and total encruster carbonate production rates (g cm−2 yr−1) across two inshore turbid island reefs of northern Western Australia. We recorded average carbonate production rates of 0.039 ± 0.002 g cm−2 yr−1, which are comparable to healthy reef sites globally. Our results show variation in lateral CCA cover over small spatial scales, with a strong seasonal signature, while constant average carbonate production rates were maintained. Additionally, we recorded in situ water temperatures above predicted coral bleaching threshold of 29 °C for four weeks and found annual patterns of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) of 2 °C or more being a regular occurrence over the hotter months. Encrusters on these reefs are considered to have a vital contribution to the reef carbonate budgets, and if they maintain stable carbonate production through periods of SSTA, they may support net positive reef carbonate budgets. 2021 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/90257 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105386 English http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE180100391 ELSEVIER SCI LTD fulltext |
| spellingShingle | Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Environmental Sciences Marine & Freshwater Biology Toxicology Environmental Sciences & Ecology Marine encrusters Crustose coralline algae Carbonate production Inshore reefs Carbonate budget CRUSTOSE CORALLINE ALGAE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION PHYMATOLITHON-CALCAREUM GROWTH-RATES CALCIFICATION RHODOPHYTA RECRUITMENT COLONIZATION ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITIES Dee, S. Cuttler, M. Cartwright, P. McIlwain, Jennifer Browne, Nicola Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia |
| title | Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia |
| title_full | Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia |
| title_fullStr | Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia |
| title_short | Encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the Pilbara, Western Australia |
| title_sort | encrusters maintain stable carbonate production despite temperature anomalies among two inshore island reefs of the pilbara, western australia |
| topic | Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Environmental Sciences Marine & Freshwater Biology Toxicology Environmental Sciences & Ecology Marine encrusters Crustose coralline algae Carbonate production Inshore reefs Carbonate budget CRUSTOSE CORALLINE ALGAE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION PHYMATOLITHON-CALCAREUM GROWTH-RATES CALCIFICATION RHODOPHYTA RECRUITMENT COLONIZATION ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITIES |
| url | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE180100391 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/90257 |