Erect macroalgae influence epilithic bacterial assemblages and reduce coral recruitment
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Published source details
Bulleri F., Thiault L., Mills S.C., Nugues M.M., Eckert E.M., Corno G. & Claudet J. (2018) Erect macroalgae influence epilithic bacterial assemblages and reduce coral recruitment. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 597, 65-77.
Published source details Bulleri F., Thiault L., Mills S.C., Nugues M.M., Eckert E.M., Corno G. & Claudet J. (2018) Erect macroalgae influence epilithic bacterial assemblages and reduce coral recruitment. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 597, 65-77.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Control spread of non-native/invasive/problematic plants/algae using biological, chemical and/or mechanical methods Action Link |
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Control spread of non-native/invasive/problematic plants/algae using biological, chemical and/or mechanical methods
A replicated, controlled, study in 2014–2015 at a lagoon in Taareu, Moorea, French Polynesia (Bulleri et al. 2018), found that clearing all macroalgae species from the tops of massive coral Porites porites colonies (known as ‘bommies’) led to higher coral recruitment compared to partially cleared or uncleared bommies. Eight months after clearance, a total of 54 coral recruits were found on bommies with a higher number on fully cleared (total: 40, average 9.5/bommie) compared to partially cleared and uncleared (each total: seven, average 1.6) bommies. In November 2014, fifteen bommies (2–3 m diameter) colonized with macroalgae (Turbinaria ornata) were randomly selected from the lagoon. Five bommies were randomly assigned to one of three treatments (full clearance: removal of all macroalgae, including understorey species and holdfasts; partial clearance: removal of fronds of canopy-forming macroalgae including Turbinaria ornata; uncleared: nothing removed). Coral recruits (colonies ≤ 1 cm diameter) were counted after eight months.
(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)
