Coral Reef Algae

Abstract

Benthic macroalgae, or “seaweeds,” are key members of coral reef communities that provide vital ecological functions such as stabilization of reef structure, production of tropical sands, nutrient retention and recycling, primary production, and trophic support. Macroalgae of an astonishing range of diversity, abundance, and morphological form provide these equally diverse ecological functions. Marine macroalgae are a functional rather than phylogenetic group comprised of members from two Kingdoms and at least four major Phyla. Structurally, coral reef macroalgae range from simple chains of prokaryotic cells to upright vine-like rockweeds with complex internal structures analogous to vascular plants. There is abundant evidence that the historical state of coral reef algal communities was dominance by encrusting and turf-forming macroalgae, yet over the last few decades upright and more fleshy macroalgae have proliferated across all areas and zones of reefs with increasing frequency and abundance. Ecological processes that sustain these shifts from coral- to algal-dominated tropical reefs include increases in open suitable substrate due to coral mortality, anthropogenic increases in nutrient supply, reductions in herbivory due to disease and overfishing, and the proliferation of algae with chemical defenses against herbivory. These shifts are likely to be accelerated and the algal state stabilized by the impacts of invasive species and climate change. Thus, algal-dominated tropical reefs may represent alternative stable states that are resistant to shifts back to coral domination due to the strength and persistence of ecological processes that stabilize the algal state.