Effects of hurricane impact on the functionality of hermatypic corals of the Banco Chinchorro coral reef
Por:
Madrigal-González, KA, Cabral-Tena, RA, Tortolero-Langarica, JJA, Vargas-Ponce, O, Ayón-Parente, M, García-Rivas, MD, Rodríguez-Zaragoza, FA
Publicada:
1 abr 2025
Resumen:
Corals perform vital functions within coral reefs, including building the physical framework, balancing geochemical cycles, and maintaining ecological niches. However, increased natural stressors due to climate change have resulted in species loss and a reconfiguration of coral assemblages, leading to a decline in reef functions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatio-temporal variation of coral functional diversity and reef physical functionality concerning the impact of Hurricane Dean in three zones (La Baliza, La Caldera, and Chancay) of the Banco Chinchorro reef during two annual seasons (2007-2009). The results showed that functional diversity changed between zones and seasons concerning richness, evenness, divergence, and functional dispersion. Beta functional diversity was < 0.50 across seasons, indicating that species with stress-resistant life histories and non-reef-forming species prevailed after the impact. Moreover, Hurricane Dean decreased the physical functionality of the reef throughout the study. Topographic complexity mostly explained the variations in richness, specialization, and functional divergence with a positive relationship, whereas algal cover and depth had a negative relationship with these metrics. Similarly, algae and debris were related to the change in functional uniformity and reef functional index (RFI), with a positive and negative relationship, respectively. RFI was positively explained by functional richness and specialization and negatively by functional originality and dispersion. The evidence from this study indicates that hurricanes can modify functional diversity and physical functionality differentially in different areas of the reef and affect their potential for recovery. However, if the frequency of disturbances increases, reefs may experience shifts towards completely different species configurations, resulting in reduced complexity, habitat provision, and ecosystem functionality.
Filiaciones:
Madrigal-González, KA:
Univ Guadalajara, Ctr Univ Ciencias Biol & Agr, Ciencias Biosistemat & Manejo Recursos Nat & Agr, Camino Ramon Padilla Sanchez 2100, Zapopan 45200, Mexico
Univ Guadalajara, Dept Ecol, Lab Ecol Mol Microbiol & Taxon LEMITAX, CUCBA, Camino Ramon Padilla Sanchez 2100, Zapopan 45200, Mexico
Cabral-Tena, RA:
Ctr Invest Cient & Educ Super Ensenada, Dept Ecol Marina, Lab Arrecifes & Biodiversidad, Carretera Ensenada Tijuana 3918, Ensenada 22860, Baja CA, Mexico
Tortolero-Langarica, JJA:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Unidad Acad Sistemas Arrecifales, Lab Esclerocronol Corales Arrecifales, Inst Ciencias Mar & Limnol, Prol Ave Ninos Heroes S-N, Puerto Morelos 77580, Q Roo, Mexico
Tecnol Nacl Mexico, IT Bahia Banderas, Crucero Punta Mita S-N, Bahia De Banderas 63734, Nayarit, Mexico
Vargas-Ponce, O:
Univ Guadalajara, Ctr Univ Ciencias Biol & Agr, Dept Bot & Zool, Inst Bot, Camino Ramon Padilla Sanchez 2100, Zapopan 45200, Mexico
Ayón-Parente, M:
Univ Guadalajara, Dept Ecol, Lab Ecol Mol Microbiol & Taxon LEMITAX, CUCBA, Camino Ramon Padilla Sanchez 2100, Zapopan 45200, Mexico
García-Rivas, MD:
Comis Nacl Areas Nat Protegidas CONANP, Parque Nacl Arrecifes Puerto Morelos, Calle Matamoros 7 Con Miguel Hidalgo Instalac CRIP, Puerto Morelos 77580, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Rodríguez-Zaragoza, FA:
Univ Guadalajara, Dept Ecol, Lab Ecol Mol Microbiol & Taxon LEMITAX, CUCBA, Camino Ramon Padilla Sanchez 2100, Zapopan 45200, Mexico
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