Reef environments shape microbial partners in a highly connected coral population

ABSTRACTCorals from more thermally variable environments often fare better under thermal stress compared to those from less thermally variable environments, an important finding given that ocean warming threatens corals worldwide. Evidence is mounting that thermal tolerance can be attributed to the coral itself, as well as microbial communities present within the holobiont (coral host and its associated microorganisms). However, few studies have characterized how thermally variable environments structure multiple holobiont members in situ. Here, using 2b-RAD sequencing of the coral and metabarcoding of algal (ITS2) and bacterial (16S) communities, we show evidence that reef zones (locales differing in proximity to shore, physical characteristics, and environmental variability) structure algal and bacterial communities at different scales within a highly connected coral population (Acropora hyacinthus) in French Polynesia. Fore reef (more stable) algal communities were on average more diverse than the back reef (more variable), suggesting that variability constrains algal diversity. In contrast, microbial communities were structured on smaller scales with site-specific indicator species and enriched functions across reef zones. Our results illuminate how associations with unique microbial communities can depend on spatial scale across highly dispersive coral populations, which may have fitness consequences in thermally divergent regions and rapidly changing oceans.

Climate Change May Shift Coral Population Dynamics

New paleoceanographic research indicates that warming waters may contribute to fewer coral reefs but to a flourishing presence of soft-bodied corals.

Stony coral populations are more sensitive to changes in vital rates in disturbed environments

Reef-building corals, like many long-lived organisms, experience environmental change as a combination of separate but concurrent processes, some of which are gradual yet long-lasting, while others are more acute but short-lived. For corals, some chronic environmental stressors, such as rising temperature and ocean acidification, are thought to induce gradual changes in colonies’ vital rates. Meanwhile, other environmental changes, such as the intensification of tropical cyclones, change the disturbance regime that corals experience. Here, we use a physiologically structured population model to explore how chronic environmental stressors that impact the vital rates of individual coral colonies interact with the intensity and magnitude of disturbance to affect coral population dynamics and cover. We find that when disturbances are relatively benign, intraspecific density dependence driven by space competition partially buffers coral populations against gradual changes in vital rates. However, the impact of chronic stressors is amplified in more highly disturbed environments, because disturbance weakens the buffering effect of space competition. We also show that coral cover is more sensitive to changes in colony growth and mortality than to external recruitment, at least in non-self-seeding populations, and that space competition and size structure mediate the extent and pace of coral-population recovery following a large-scale mortality event. Understanding the complex interplay among chronic environmental stressors, mass-mortality events, and population size structure sharpens our ability to project coral dynamics in an increasingly disturbed future.

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAMMETRY, CODED TARGET AND PLENOPTIC TECHNOLOGY: A SET OF TOOLS FOR MONITORING RED CORAL IN MEDITERRANEAN SEA IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ”PERFECT” PROJECT

PErfECT "Photogrammetry, gEnetic, Ecology for red coral ConservaTion" is a project leaded by the Laboratoire des Sciences de lInformation et des Systmes (LSIS - UMR 7296 CNRS) from the Aix-Marseille University (France) in collaboration with the Spanish National Agency for Scientific Research (CSIC, Spain). The main objective of the project is to develop innovative Tools for the conservation of the Mediterranean red coral, <i>Corallium rubrum</i>. PErfECT was funded by the Total Fundation. The adaptation of digital photogrammetric techniques for use in submarine is rapidly increasing in recent years. In fact, these techniques are particularly well suited for use in underwater environments. PErfECT developed different photogrammetry tools to enhance the red coral population surveys based in: (i) automatic orientation on coded quadrats, (ii) use of NPR (Non Photo realistic Rendering) techniques, (iii) the calculation of distances between colonies within local populations and finally (iv) the use of plenoptic approaches in underwater conditions.