Smith, J.

One-Third of Reef-Building Corals Face Elevated Extinction Risk from Climate Change and Local Impacts

The conservation status of 845 zooxanthellate reef-building coral species was assessed by using International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Criteria. Of the 704 species that could be assigned conservation status, 32.8% are in categories with elevated risk of extinction. Declines in abundance are associated with bleaching and diseases driven by elevated sea surface temperatures, with extinction risk further exacerbated by local-scale anthropogenic disturbances. The proportion of corals threatened with extinction has increased dramatically in recent decades and exceeds that of most terrestrial groups. The Caribbean has the largest proportion of corals in high extinction risk categories, whereas the Coral Triangle (western Pacific) has the highest proportion of species in all categories of elevated extinction risk. Our results emphasize the widespread plight of coral reefs and the urgent need to enact conservation measures. 

Date
2008
Data type
Scientific article
Theme
Research and monitoring
Journal

Lytic to temperate switching of viral communities

Microbial viruses can control host abundances via density-dependent lytic predator-prey dynamics. Less clear is how temperate viruses, which coexist and replicate with their host, influence microbial communities. Here we show that virus-like particles are relatively less abundant at high host densities. This suggests suppressed lysis where established models predict lytic dynamics are favoured. Meta-analysis of published viral and microbial densities showed that this trend was widespread in diverse ecosystems ranging from soil to freshwater to human lungs. Experimental manipulations showed viral densities more consistent with temperate than lytic life cycles at increasing microbial abundance. An analysis of 24 coral reef viromes showed a relative increase in the abundance of hallmark genes encoded by temperate viruses with increased microbial abundance. Based on these four lines of evidence, we propose the Piggyback-the-Winner model wherein temperate dynamics become increasingly important in ecosystems with high microbial densities; thus 'more microbes, fewer viruses'.

Date
2016
Data type
Scientific article
Theme
Research and monitoring
Journal

In-water monitoring of sea turtle aggregations in St. Eustatius National Marine Park

Abstract:

All species of sea turtles in the Caribbean have come under threat in recent years due to a multitude of factors. Habitat destruction and modification are playing a larger and larger role in current population declines. Trends projected from data of nesting females are useful in predicting potential shifts in populations, but such changes may not appear in adult female populations until it is too late to protect them. Changes in the populations of juveniles are a much earlier and more accurate indicator to assess the future of the population as a whole. In-water surveys of sea turtle foraging grounds are the best tool to monitor such changes in juvenile and sub-adult populations so that they can be more quickly and effectively protected.

In-water surveys began in the Statia National Marine Park in January 2008 in order to asses the current status and distribution of foraging turtle aggregations (greens, Chelonia mydas, and hawksbills, Eretmochelys imbricata) in the surrounding waters. Surveys yielded a total catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 1.17 turtles per hour, with an average CPUE of 0.67 for greens and 0.50 for hawksbills. Greens and hawksbills were found to occupy different areas in different densities, with more greens in the less protected sea grass beds of the harbors and more hawksbills on the reefs of the reserves. Size and gender data indicate a healthy juvenile and sub-adult population for both species. Future monitoring is needed to assess any changes in this population, and active protection of the foraging grounds of these species is essential to their continued existence within the marine park. 

Date
2008
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
St. Eustatius
Author