Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
June 11, 2026Coral ReefsOpen Access

Macroalgal removal increases calcifier abundance and promotes coral settlement on inshore reefs

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Authors

MWMegan H. WilliamsTKTara KerrDBDavid G. Bourne

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

Randomized trial investigates macroalgal removal effects on coral settlement and calcifier abundance in degraded inshore reefs, suggesting potential management strategies.

Key Points

  • This research aims to understand how removing macroalgae influences coral settlement and the composition of benthic communities on degraded reefs.
  • 240 terracotta settlement tiles were deployed across experimental plots at two inshore reefs.
  • Six plots underwent regular macroalgal removal while six acted as untreated controls.
  • Tiles were retrieved and analyzed for coral abundance and benthic composition at 3, 6, and 13 months.
  • Macroalgal removal significantly increased crustose coralline algae cover and bryozoan abundance, promoting higher coral settlement.
  • CCA cover was identified as a significant positive predictor of coral abundance 1 month after spawning (p<0.05).
  • Coral abundance declined sharply over 13 months across all treatments, indicating the limited persistence of corals.

Cite This Study

Williams et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2a52ae80c8f91e7f39e9b7https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-026-02900-4
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Ocean Acidification and Control of Reef Coral Calcification by Boundary Layer Limitation of Proton Flux2011 · 138 citations
  2. 2Coral recruitment is impacted by the presence of a sponge community2019 · 33 citations
  3. 3Climate Change, Human Impacts, and the Resilience of Coral Reefs2003 · 3,956 citations
  4. 4Coral reef degradation affects the potential for reef recovery after disturbance2018 · 89 citations
  5. 5A clear human footprint in the coral reefs of the Caribbean2008 · 315 citations