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In situ measured seasonal variations in F v/F m of two common Red Sea corals

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Abstract

Pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry has been suggested as a tool for estimating environmental stresses on corals. However, information regarding natural changes in maximal quantum yields (F v/F m) of corals during “normal” (i.e. non-bleaching) years has been limited. In this study, seasonal variations in F v/F m for Stylophora pistillata and Favia favus, measured in situ, correlated with seasonal changes in solar irradiance but not in sea temperature. Interactions between sea temperature and irradiance were further studied by growing these corals and Pocillopora damicornis under controlled conditions. Exposure to high light with normal or high temperatures resulted in lower F v/F m values than exposure to low light at both temperatures. Thus, high irradiances may cause decreased F v/F m values in corals at least as much as, if not more than, high temperatures. Such seasonal variations should be taken into account when using PAM fluorometry as a diagnostic tool for predicting coral bleaching.

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Acknowledgments

Funding from the Rufford Foundation for Nature Conservation and PADI Foundation to GW, and from the Israel Science Foundation and the Raynor Chair for Environmental Conservation Research to YL, is greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

    Gidon Winters & Sven Beer

  2. The Inter University Institute of Eilat, POB 469, Eilat, 88103, Israel

    Gidon Winters

  3. Department of Zoology and the Porter School for Environmental Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

    Yossi Loya

Authors
  1. Gidon Winters
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  2. Yossi Loya
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  3. Sven Beer
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Correspondence to Gidon Winters.

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Communicated by Environment Editor K. Fabricius

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Winters, G., Loya, Y. & Beer, S. In situ measured seasonal variations in F v/F m of two common Red Sea corals. Coral Reefs 25, 593–598 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0144-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0144-3

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