Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Abundance and composition of juvenile corals reveals divergent trajectories for coral assemblages across the United Arab Emirates

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-30-2017

Publication Title

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Keywords

Coral Reefs, Assemblage structure, Population replenishment, Resilience, Scleractinian corals

ISSN

0025-326X

Volume

114

Issue/No.

2

First Page

1031

Last Page

1035

Abstract

Marked shifts in the composition of coral assemblages are occurring at many locations, but it is unknown whether these are permanent shifts reinforced by patterns of population replenishment. This study examined the composition of juvenile coral assemblages across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Densities of juvenile corals varied significantly among locations, but were highest where coral cover was highest. Juvenile coral assemblages within the Persian Gulf were dominated by Porites, while no Acropora were recorded. We expect therefore, continued declines in Acropora abundance, while observed dominance of Porites is likely to persist. In the Oman Sea, Pocillopora was the dominant juvenile coral, with Acropora and Stylophora also recorded. This study shows that taxonomic differences in replenishment are reinforcing temporal shifts in coral composition within the southern Persian Gulf, but not in the Oman Sea. Differences in environmental conditions and disturbance regimes likely explain the divergent responses between regions.

ORCID ID

0000-0001-9260-2153

DOI

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.11.036

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