The impact of benthic algae on the settlement of a reef-building coral |
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Authors: | G. Diaz-Pulido S. Harii L. J. McCook O. Hoegh-Guldberg |
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Affiliation: | (1) Centre for Marine Studies and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia;(2) Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia;(3) Present address: Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan;(4) Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, PO Box 1379, Townsville, QLD, Australia;(5) Pew Fellowships Program in Marine Conservation, PO Box 1379, Townsville, QLD, Australia |
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Abstract: | The capacity of corals to re-establish in degraded and algal-dominated habitats will depend on the effects of algae on coral settlement and growth. We tested the effect of 11 macroalgal species, of widely different functional-forms, on swimming and settlement by larvae of the coral Platygyra daedalea from the Great Barrier Reef. Algal turfs and the crustose calcareous algae groups had minor effects on coral settlement, while upright calcareous and fleshy macroalgae inhibited settlement. However, the extent of inhibition of larval settlement differed amongst upright macroalgal species, variations that were not well explained by physical differences and probably reflect chemical differences not explained by functional-form. Thus, while algal functional-form is useful in identifying general competition patterns, more detailed taxonomic and chemical approaches may be required to fully understand algal effects on corals. Different macroalgal communities on degraded reefs may have different effects on coral settlement, and hence on coral population resilience. |
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