How do sink and source activities influence the reproduction and vegetative growth of spring ephemeral herbs under different light conditions?

Spring ephemeral herbs inhabiting deciduous forests commonly complete reproduction and vegetative growth before canopy closure in early summer. Effects of shading by early canopy closure on reproductive output and vegetative growth, however, may vary depending on the seasonal allocation patterns of photosynthetic products between current reproduction and storage for future growth in each species. To clarify the effects of sink–source balance on seed production and bulb growth in a spring ephemeral herb, Gagea lutea, we performed a bract removal treatment (source reduction) and a floral-bud removal treatment (sink reduction) under canopy and open conditions. Leaf carbon fixations did not differ between the forest and open sites and among treatments. Bract carbon fixations were also similar between sites but tended to decrease when floral buds were removed. Seed production was higher under open condition but decreased by the bract-removal treatment under both light conditions. In contrast, bulb growth was independent of light conditions and the bract-removal treatment but increased greatly by the bud-removal treatment. Therefore, leaves and bracts acted as specialized source organs for vegetative and reproductive functions, respectively, but photosynthetic products by bracts were flexibly used for bulb growth when plants failed to set fruits. Extension of bright period was advantageous for seed production (i.e., source limited) but not for vegetative growth (i.e., sink limited) in this species.     

Nutrient requirements of ephemeral plant species from wet,mesotrophic soils

Abstract. Nanocyperion plant communities occur on wet, more or less nutrient‐poor and sparsely vegetated soils in temperate climates and are characterized by tiny, very shortlived plant species. Most of these have become locally extinct. It is generally assumed that drainage and eutrophication were the most important reasons for this decrease. However, chemical analysis of soil pore water from plots on growth sites of these ephemerals showed that phosphorus availability was relatively high. In a greenhouse experiment, the growth of ephemeral species was strongly limited by the amount of available phosphorus, whereas there was little or no limitation to the growth of other plant species from this habitat. At low phosphorus concentrations, the ephemeral species reached their reproductive phase within the same period, but showed a strong reduction in the amount of flowers that were produced. We concluded that ephemeral species in particular require a minimum amount of phosphorus for reproduction. Other species on nutrient‐poor, wet soils have a longer life span and can postpone flowering in nutrient‐poor soils. In contrast to other short‐lived plant species from the same habitat, the growth of ephemeral species was barely stimulated by enhanced nitrogen availability. Apparently, the ephemerals are adapted to low nitrogen concentrations. The occurrence on nitrogen‐poor and relatively phosphorus‐rich soils suggests that this community may be very sensitive to nitrogen deposition. Reduced phosphorus availability below the minimum requirements of ephemerals, for example after acidification or the exclusion of human activities, has possibly contributed to the decrease of ephemeral plant species.     

近30年古尔班通古特沙漠短命植物的时空格局

基于1985—1999年的GIMMS-NDVI数据和2000—2014年的MODIS-NDVI数据提取短命植物的时空格局,结合野外调查数据和1985—2014年气象站点气温和降水数据,从不同时空尺度上分析了古尔班通古特沙漠短命植物的时空变化及其对气候变化的响应。结果表明:(1)古尔班通古特沙漠中短命植物层片整体表现出物种组成简单,优势度高、多样性和覆盖度低等特征,且层片特征主要是由优势物种所主导,在早春至盛夏期间,由于短暂的生活史造成层片整体在物候上有一个明显的起伏差异。(2)沙漠中短命植物覆盖度最高的区域为南部和中东部,北部次之,西部最少。就时间变化趋势而言,受近30年早春温度和冬春降水增加的影响,短命植物覆盖的区域面积呈现出明显的增加趋势。(3)1985—2014年间3、4月温度和冬春两季降水量呈上升趋势,而反映短命植物长势的NDVI值与冬春两季降水量也呈正相关性,但就相关性程度而言,冬季降水量与NDVI呈显著性相关(P0.05,r=0.405),而春季降水由于时滞效应并未表现出显著相关性。     

Hindcasting Historical Breeding Conditions for an Endangered Salamander in Ephemeral Wetlands of the Southeastern USA: Implications of Climate Change

The hydroperiod of ephemeral wetlands is often the most important characteristic determining amphibian breeding success, especially for species with long development times. In mesic and wet pine flatwoods of the southeastern United States, ephemeral wetlands were a common landscape feature. Reticulated flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma bishopi), a federally endangered species, depend exclusively on ephemeral wetlands and require at least 11 weeks to successfully metamorphose into terrestrial adults. We empirically modeled hydroperiod of 17 A. bishopi breeding wetlands by combining downscaled historical climate-model data with a recent 9-year record (2006–2014) of observed water levels. Empirical models were subsequently used to reconstruct wetland hydrologic conditions from 1896–2014 using the downscaled historical climate datasets. Reconstructed hydroperiods for the 17 wetlands were highly variable through time but were frequently unfavorable for A. bishopi reproduction (e.g., only 61% of years, using a conservative estimate of development time [12 weeks], were conducive to larval development and metamorphosis). Using change-point analysis, we identified significant shifts in average hydroperiod over the last century in all 17 wetlands. Mean hydroperiods were shorter in recent years than at any other point since 1896, and thus less suitable for A. bishopi reproduction. We suggest that climate change will continue to impact the reproductive success of flatwoods salamanders and other ephemeral wetland breeders by reducing the number of years these wetlands have suitable hydroperiods. Consequently, we emphasize the importance of conservation and management for mitigating other forms of habitat degradation, especially maintenance of high quality breeding sites where reproduction can occur during appropriate environmental conditions.     

Functional traits and life history diversity of the North Africa endemic Ebenus pinnata Aiton

Ebenus pinnata Aiton occurs in few localities along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa from Libya to Morocco. In Libya this species grows in few places of the northwestern coastal mountain escarpment, where it is rarely recorded. The study site was located one in Msallata National Park area, Libya, at an altitude of 200–300 m. Three growth types were recognized in E. pinnata: ephemeral (E), modular (M), and coppiced (C) life-forms (functional types). The intra-population variations in the plant's functional types are interpreted as a plasticity mechanism for survival and existence under the given soil texture and micronutrient heterogeneity.     

Breed Locally,Disperse Globally: Fine-Scale Genetic Structure Despite Landscape-Scale Panmixia in a Fire-Specialist

An exciting advance in the understanding of metapopulation dynamics has been the investigation of how populations respond to ephemeral patches that go ‘extinct’ during the lifetime of an individual. Previous research has shown that this scenario leads to genetic homogenization across large spatial scales. However, little is known about fine-scale genetic structuring or how this changes over time in ephemeral patches. We predicted that species that specialize on ephemeral habitats will delay dispersal to exploit natal habitat patches while resources are plentiful and thus display fine-scale structure. To investigate this idea, we evaluated the effect of frequent colonization of ephemeral habitats on the fine-scale genetic structure of a fire specialist, the black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) and found a pattern of fine-scale genetic structure. We then tested for differences in spatial structure between sexes and detected a pattern consistent with male-biased dispersal. We also detected a temporal increase in relatedness among individuals within newly burned forest patches. Our results indicate that specialist species that outlive their ephemeral patches can accrue significant fine-scale spatial structure that does not necessarily affect spatial structure at larger scales. This highlights the importance of both spatial and temporal scale considerations in both sampling and data interpretation of molecular genetic results.     

On-site growth response of a desert ephemeral plant, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plantago minuta</Emphasis>, to indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a central Asia desert

Desert ephemeral plants play a key role in desert ecosystem stability and environmental conservation. To determine the effect of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth and P uptake of the desert ephemeral Plantago minuta, we conducted two on-site experiments in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The co-development of a pre-isolated indigenous AM fungus, Glomus etunicatum, with the ephemeral was also investigated. The results showed that both the single fungus and the indigenous AM fungal community enhanced the growth and P uptake of P. minuta. The phenological phases of P. minuta were highly consistent with the phases of the indigenous AM fungus, G. etunicatum, indicating that both symbiotic partners seem to be able to sense the changes in local weather, which might be an important trait for the survival of both plant and fungus in desert environments. The development of host plant and indigenous AM fungi were interdependent in the desert.     

Reproductive diversity and survival of the potential annual Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss (Brassicaceae) in Egypt

Diplotaxis harra is a common annual species in the desert of Egypt, The investigated population was located in Wadi Hof near Helwan city. Additional water in relatively wet years cause these ephemeral plants to live longer and become perennials. The species has ephemeral, modular and coppiced life‐cycles and may shift from a r‐ to a K‐selected strategy. The germinable seed bank represented 15,6% of the total seed rain, out of which only 0,03% established as adult plants. About 72.7% of the adult plants were ephemeral. 27.0% modular and 0.3% coppiced plants. The highest contribution of the seed rain came from modular plants and the lowest contribution from coppiced plants. The survivorship curve of the coppiced plants exhibited a combination of Deevey type I and III curves. The ephemeral and modular plants showed steep curves. In contrast to ephemeral plants, the coppiced plants attained the highest reproductive value and the lowest reproductive effort, while the modular plants demonstrated intermediate values. The active phonological cycle started earlier in coppiced plants than in the modular and ephemeral plants. The period from the start of vegetative growth lo shoot‐die back extends from mid‐December to early June in coppiced plants, from February to May in modular plants, and from late February to early May in ephemeral plants. The living stumps of the coppiced plants remained dormant during summer and autumn months. Seeds collected from coppiced plants attained high germinability and viability, while those from ephemeral and modular plants attained low values. Seed longevity was higher in the modular plants (> 10 yr) than in seeds of ephemeral and coppiced plants (7–8 yr). The high energy content of the seeds produced from different cohorts over ten years of storage enabled the population to maximize the germinability. viability and longevity of seeds despite the unpredictable environment. The potential annual behaviour of D. harra is mainly attained by the persistence of viable seed bank and root‐shoot stock. The ability to shift from a r‐ to a K‐selected life‐cycle, phenological variations among the different cohorts of the population, variations in seed longevity and energy content strengthen intra‐population interactions.     

Larval salamanders and channel geomorphology are indicators of hydrologic permanence in forested headwater streams

Regulatory agencies need rapid indicators of hydrologic permanence for jurisdictional determinations of headwater streams. The study objective was to assess the utility of larval salamanders and habitat variables for determining stream permanence across a large geographic area. We sampled four core forests (61 sites in IN, KY, and OH) in spring (April–May) and summer (August–September) over a 2-year period. Sites in each forest were selected to cover a gradient of permanence, from perennial to ephemeral. Salamanders were collected by both benthic core sampling and timed visual search on each site visit. Classification and regression tree (CART) models were used to identify indicators of seasonal permanence at core sites that were then tested using data collected from 6 satellite forests (52 sites) located nationwide. Southern two-lined salamanders, Eurycea cirrigera, were numerically dominant and were the only species included in CART models. Salamander diversity declined with distance from the Appalachians and strong longitudinal changes in assemblage composition were evident within streams. Abundance of E. cirrigera was positively correlated with watershed area, whereas dusky salamanders, Desmognathus spp., and spring salamanders, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, comprised a greater proportion of salamander communities at intermittent sites within their range. Spring and summer CART models incorporated E. cirrigera abundance and measures of channel geomorphology to accurately classify approximately 80% of core sites as either ephemeral, intermittent or perennial. When applied to validation data from national satellite forests, correct classification rates were >85% for intermittent and ephemeral sites, but were only ～20% for perennial sites. These findings suggest that larval plethodontid salamanders and habitat variables can be valuable predictors of headwater stream hydroperiod, but indicators are largely limited to the regional scale.     

Do yeasts and Drosophila interact just by chance?

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are classic research model organisms that are also associated in nature, at least around vineyards. Sharing the same ephemeral fruit niche, winged Drosophila feed on immotile yeasts. That a yeast diet is essential for larval development, and that saprophagous fruit flies are attracted to a suite of yeast volatiles, has been well established over the last century. Recently, research has focussed on the potential mutual benefit of this interaction hypothesising yeasts also benefit via dispersal from ephemeral fruits. It now appears that the concept of a co-evolved mutualism between yeasts and Drosophila has permeated the literature. However, until robust evidence regarding the evolution and maintenance of this yeast-fly association has been provided, we suggest there is no compelling evidence to reject the more simplistic null hypothesis that these interactions are due to exaptation, and not a mutualism driven by natural selection.     

Epiphytic algae on eelgrass at Roscoff,France

Algae growing as epiphytes on eelgrass, Zostera marina L., at Roscoff were investigated during one year by examining the species richness and abundance. The abundance of the algae, expressed as cover values, appeared to be influenced by the characteristics of the substrate, especially the ephemeral status and growth rate of the leaves.Colonization of the seagrass leaves occurred primarily on tips and edges, subsequently spreading over the faces to the base. The pioneers appeared to be the dominant, persistent taxa, of which Audouinella virgatula (Harv.) Dixon, Fosliella lejolisii (Rosan.) Howe, Myrionema magnusii (Sauv.) Lois. and the diatoms were most prominent. The oldest parts of fully grown leaves showed the most diverse epiphytic vegetation. Though there was a form of succession, a climax community was not reached.On examining the spatial distribution of the epiphytes, a group of characteristic taxa was seen to be accompanied by a second group, whose variation in occurrence seemed to be correlated with the height in the littoral.     

早春首次降雨时间及降雨量对古尔班通古特沙漠两种短命植物形态特征与叶绿素荧光的影响

早春降雨事件是影响荒漠短命植物生长的重要因子, 为了解古尔班通古特沙漠积雪完全融化后早春首次降雨时间及降雨量对短命植物光合生长的影响。该研究选取两种优势短命植物尖喙牻牛儿苗(Erodium oxyrhinchum)和琉苞菊(Centaurea pulchella)为研究对象, 设置3个首次降雨时间(积雪完全融化后第10、20和30天)和3个降雨水平(5、10和15 mm), 探究两物种的形态、生物量及光化学效率的响应差异。结果显示: 积雪完全融化后第10天进行首次降雨处理时, 随着首次降雨量的增加, 尖喙牻牛儿苗的叶面积和总生物量呈显著增加趋势, 最大光化学效率呈下降趋势。在第20和30天进行首次降雨处理时, 尖喙牻牛儿苗和琉苞菊的叶面积均呈显著增加趋势。在积雪完全融化后5 mm降雨处理时, 随着首次降雨时间的延迟, 尖喙牻牛儿苗和琉苞菊的最大光化学效率呈先下降后上升趋势; 10 mm降雨处理时, 尖喙牻牛儿苗的冠根比降低, 根长和总生物量呈先增加后下降趋势, 琉苞菊的根长呈显著增加趋势; 15 mm降雨处理时, 尖喙牻牛儿苗的叶面积、冠根比和最大光化学效率呈显著增加趋势; 琉苞菊的冠根比和最大光化学效率呈下降趋势, 总生物量呈显著增加趋势。尖喙牻牛儿苗和琉苞菊的根长分别与0-5 cm和5-10 cm土壤含水量呈显著正相关关系。这说明早春首次降雨量比首次降雨时间更能影响植株生长, 但不同物种对降雨格局变化的响应不一致, 这可能通过影响早春短命植物的形态特征, 进而影响早春荒漠生态系统的稳定性。     

Rapid growth and large body size in annual fish populations are compromised by density-dependent regulation

We tested the effect of population density on maximum body size in three sympatric species of annual killifishes Nothobranchius spp. from African ephemeral pools. We found a clear negative effect of population density on body size, limiting their capacity for extremely fast development and rapid growth. This suggests that density-dependent population regulation and the ephemeral character of their habitat impose contrasting selective pressures on the life history of annual killifishes.     

Early Human Speciation,Brain Expansion and Dispersal Influenced by African Climate Pulses

Early human evolution is characterised by pulsed speciation and dispersal events that cannot be explained fully by global or continental paleoclimate records. We propose that the collated record of ephemeral East African Rift System (EARS) lakes could be a proxy for the regional paleoclimate conditions experienced by early hominins. Here we show that the presence of these lakes is associated with low levels of dust deposition in both West African and Mediterranean records, but is not associated with long-term global cooling and aridification of East Africa. Hominin expansion and diversification seem to be associated with climate pulses characterized by the precession-forced appearance and disappearance of deep EARS lakes. The most profound period for hominin evolution occurs at about 1.9 Ma; with the highest recorded diversity of hominin species, the appearance of Homo (sensu stricto) and major dispersal events out of East Africa into Eurasia. During this period, ephemeral deep-freshwater lakes appeared along the whole length of the EARS, fundamentally changing the local environment. The relationship between the local environment and hominin brain expansion is less clear. The major step-wise expansion in brain size around 1.9 Ma when Homo appeared was coeval with the occurrence of ephemeral deep lakes. Subsequent incremental increases in brain size are associated with dry periods with few if any lakes. Plio-Pleistocene East African climate pulses as evinced by the paleo-lake records seem, therefore, fundamental to hominin speciation, encephalisation and migration.     

The effect of water flow on growth and reproduction of celleporella hyalina (l.) (bryozoa : cheilostomata)

Colonies of Celleporella hyalina (L.), settled on glass Petri dishes, were grown in the Menai Straits. Water flow over the colonies was either unrestricted or increasingly restricted by short and long funnels fitted over the Petri dishes. Under all conditions, colonies grew exponentially for the first few weeks, but then growth decelerated. Growth rate at standard size was minimal in winter (December–February). Restricted water flow enhanced growth during winter but retarded growth at other times. Colonies began sexual reproduction at a size of ≈57 autozooids, but at different ages depending on growth conditions. When colonies had accumulated 1000–2000 autozooids, the number of reproductive zooids (males plus females) per autozooid became asymptotic in the ratio of 1.0 : 2.0 : 3.6 in conditions of restricted, semi-restricted, and unrestricted water flow, respectively. The proportion of sexual zooids that were reproductively active was greater among colonies experiencing greater water flow and, for all treatments, was greatest in June and least in winter. The experimentally induced trends in growth and reproduction were reversed by translocating colonies from one regime of water flow to another. Colonies had lower budding rates when grown close to neighbouring colonies than when isolated, but the ratio of reproductive zooids to autozooids was similar in both treatments. Ratios of female to male zooids varied among colonies but with no clear relation to the experimental conditions, suggesting that relative investments in male and female functions are largely under genetic control. The life history of C. hyalina is well-suited to the ephemeral frondai tissue of Laminaria saccharina L. (Lamour), commonly used as a substratum in British waters. Early sexual maturity and sexual activity, concurrent with somatic growth, maximize average sexual output in the circumstances of unpredictable longevity.     

古尔班通古特沙漠某些短命植物叶片N、P化学计量特征的季节变化

短命植物是荒漠生态系统的重要组成部分。为了解短命植物叶片N、P化学计量特征随生长季变化的特点,选择古尔班通古特沙漠6种优势短命植物(3种一年生短命植物,3种多年生类短命植物)为研究对象,对比了2种生活型短命植物叶片N、P化学计量特征随生长季变化特点。结果表明,3种一年生短命植物尖喙牻牛儿苗(Erodium oxyrrhynchum)、小花荆芥(Nepeta micrantha)以及条叶庭芥(Alyssum linifolium)N含量平均值(±标准差)分别为(11.23±7.16)、(14.11±6.38)和(10.85±6.14)mg·g–1;P含量平均值分别为(2.82±0.73)、(3.12±1.24)和(3.43±0.55)mg·g–1;3种多年生类短命植物独尾草(Eremurus chinensis)、雅葱(Scorzonera pusilla)和簇花芹(Soranthus meyeri)N含量的平均值分别为(19.97±5.94)(15.08±4.01)和(17.94±9.03)mg·g–1;P含量平均值分别为(3.55±0.83)、(2.73±1.11)和(5.03±0.65)mg·g–1。由此可见,短命植物在生长过程中叶片N-P化学计量特征存在一定差异。各物种N、P含量在生长初期都大于其它生长季节,在生长旺季随叶片生物量增加,N、P含量呈下降趋势;而在生长末季N、P含量又有所回升。相关性分析表明,不同生活型短命植物元素间的关系存在差异,但同一生活型短命植物元素间的关系并无显著差异,体现了种内一致性。     

准噶尔盆地南缘不同坡向对短命植物生物量分配和化学计量特征的影响

短命植物是中国荒漠区系中重要的组成部分,坡向是准噶尔荒漠区最重要的地形因子之一,可能影响该地区短命植物的生物量和化学计量特征.该研究通过分析两种十字花科的短命植物涩荠(Malcolmia africana)和条叶庭荠(Alyssum linifolium)的不同器官(根、茎、叶和繁殖器官)在不同坡向(东坡、西坡和北坡)...     

Invasive bullfrog larvae lack developmental plasticity to changing hydroperiod

Determining the mechanisms responsible for the success of invasive species is critical for developing effective management strategies. Artificially draining managed wetlands to maintain natural ephemeral conditions is a common practice in the Pacific Northwest and is assumed to kill invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) larvae, which typically overwinter in permanent wetlands before metamorphosis. Bullfrogs in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, however, have invaded ephemeral wetland sites with confirmed metamorphosis within 4 months after hatching at 1 site. We hypothesized that plasticity in growth and development rates in response to hydroperiod facilitated bullfrog invasion in Oregon. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying larval bullfrog development and growth in response to 3 hydroperiod conditions in a mesocosm setting. We tested clutches collected from both ephemeral (n = 3) and permanent (n = 3) wetlands. We found no differences in development or growth due to hydroperiod treatments (body length, P = 0.48; mass, P = 0.27), but we found differences in growth among clutches (P ≤ 0.001). These differences likely represent natural variation in growth rates because clutches collected from the same wetland type did not respond with similar growth and geographic barriers between collection sites did not account for the differences. These results indicate a lack of plasticity to hydroperiod and suggest that artificial hydroperiod manipulation in the Pacific Northwest will not induce rapid metamorphosis by invasive bullfrog larvae, although some genotypes may be capable of rapid growth and metamorphosis. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.     

Preliminary studies of the complement fixation test to confirm the diagnosis of bovine ephemeral fever

A strain of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) virus isolated in China in 1976 was adapted to growth in tissue cultures. A baby hamster kidney complement fixing (CF) antigen, stable at -20 degrees C for at least 120 days, was prepared from the BEF virus grown in tissue culture and used to test bovine sera for antibodies to that virus. CF antibodies were detected in all of 31 cattle after convalescence from experimental infection with BEF virus, in 208 (98%) of 213 cattle observed to have shown clinical ephemeral fever in an epidemic, in 96 cattle in these herds which did not show clinical signs of ephemeral fever and 16 cattle from herds in northern China outside the epidemic area. The CF antibodies to BEF virus were found to persist in 34 (89%) of 38 cattle which were bled 6 years after natural exposure to ephemeral fever. The CF antigen is economical to prepare and is suitable to differentiate ephemeral fever from other viral infections with which it could possibly be confused on clinical appearance.     

Reef-scale failure of coral settlement following typhoon disturbance and macroalgal bloom in Palau,Western Pacific

Factors affecting coral recruitment are critical in influencing the scope and rate of reef recovery after disturbance. In December 2012, super-typhoon Bopha caused immense damage to the eastern reefs of Palau, resulting in near complete loss of coral cover. Within weeks following the typhoon, an ephemeral monospecific bloom of the foliose red macroalga Liagora (up to 40 % cover in February 2013) was recorded at impacted reefs with moderate wave exposure. Conversely, impacted and un-impacted reefs in areas of low wave exposure remained Liagora free. To quantify the effect of this ephemeral macroalgal bloom on coral recruitment, we installed settlement tiles during the major spawning period (March–April 2013) at forereefs with and without Liagora. Reefs (n = 3) with Liagora (13–24 % cover in April) experienced an almost complete failure of settlement, with only two individual corals recorded on settlement tiles (n = 90). This settlement failure was unexpected, as tiles were situated adjacent to, and not within Liagora canopies. In contrast, settlement was significantly higher on reefs that lacked macroalgae (n = 3), ranging from an average of 0.5–2.5 and 2.7–18.9 individuals 25 cm^?2 per top- and under-sided tile, respectively. Reefs with and without Liagora were in close proximity (≤8 km), and hydrodynamic models predicted that larval supply did not limit coral settlement among sites. While some differences in the community composition on the tiles were observed among sites, settlement substrate availability also did not limit coral settlement. Generalised linear mixed effects models indicated that while no settlement substrate explained more than 10 % of the variability in coral settlement, coral cover positively accounted for 26 %, and the cover of Liagora on reefs negatively accounted for more than 50 % of the observed variation. Combined, our results indicate that the typhoon induced ephemeral macroalgal bloom resulted in a reef-scale failure of coral settlement.