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Variation in the health and biochemical condition of the coral Acropora tenuis along two water quality gradients on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2017-06-01, 00:00 authored by Melissa RockerMelissa Rocker, David FrancisDavid Francis, K E Fabricius, B L Willis, L K BayThis study explores how plasticity in biochemical attributes, used as indicators of health and condition, enables the coral Acropora tenuis to respond to differing water quality regimes in inshore regions of the Great Barrier Reef. Health attributes were monitored along a strong and weak water quality gradient, each with three reefs at increasing distances from a major river source. Attributes differed significantly only along the strong gradient; corals grew fastest, had the least dense skeletons, highest symbiont densities and highest lipid concentrations closest to the river mouth, where water quality was poorest. High nutrient and particulate loads were only detrimental to skeletal density, which decreased as linear extension increased, highlighting a trade-off. Our study underscores the importance of assessing multiple health attributes in coral reef monitoring. For example, autotrophic indices are poor indicators of coral health and condition, but improve when combined with attributes like lipid content and biomass.
History
Journal
Marine pollution bulletinVolume
119Issue
2Pagination
106 - 119Publisher
ElsevierLocation
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
eISSN
1879-3363Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2017, ElsevierUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
Acropora tenuisCoral healthEnvironmental driversGreat Barrier ReefInshore reefsWater qualityScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineEnvironmental SciencesMarine & Freshwater BiologyEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyAcropora randsTERRESTRIAL RUNOFFWHITSUNDAY REGIONSKELETAL DENSITYGROWTHINSHORELIGHTSEDIMENTSYMBIODINIUMTURBIDITYTISSUE
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