Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Phase shifts in coral reef communities and their ecological significance

  • Coral reef ecosystems
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many coral reefs around the world have degraded to a degree that their present intrinsic value and utility are greatly reduced: (mass coral mortality followed by algal invasions; local depletions of reef fisheries; deficit of reef accretion compared to physical and biological erosion). Though we can sometimes identify proximal causes (outbreaks of coral predators and eroders; over-fishing; habitat destruction), we do not have a good understanding of how population, community and ecosystem structure and function differ in degraded from un-degraded reefs. The deficiencies in our understanding limit our ability to interpret the long-term significance of reef degradation, and therefore to develop scientifically based plans for conservation and management of reefs.

A particular course of action, or lack of action, based on uncritical acceptance of any of the various views of temporal variability can lead to further deterioration of specific reefs. None of these views — that reefs are either inherently robust, inherently fragile, or inherently resilient — is true over all time-space scales. This presentation reviews various models and case studies which suggest that reefs can be knocked precipitously or move slowly from one phase (coral-dominated) to another (coral-depleted and/or algal dominated). Transitions in the other direction (‘recovery’) involve changes (e.g. succession) in populations and communities (of all reef-associated biota, not just sessile benthos), and in reef function (e.g. community metabolism, trophodynamics) which are of great intrinsic interest but only poorly understood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adey, W. H., P. J. Adey, R. Burke & L. Kaufman, 1977. The Holocene reef systems of Eastern Martinique, French West Indies. Atoll Res. Bull. 218: 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, M. J., 1988. Are coral reefs nutrient limited? Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 157–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babcock, R. C., 1988. Fine-scale spatial and temporal patterns in coral settlement. Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 2: 635–639.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazzaz, F. A., 1983. Characteristics of populations in relation to disturbance in natural and man-modified ecosystems. In H. A. Mooney & M. Godron (eds), Disturbance and Ecosystems. Components of Response. Springer-Verlag, Berlin: 258–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J. & R. Galzin, 1984. Influence of live coral cover on coral reef fish communities. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 15: 265–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, P. R. F., P. F. Greenfield, D. Hawker & D. Connell, 1989. The impact of waste discharge on coral reef systems. Wat. Sci. Tech. 21: 121–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, K. P., 1988. The relationship of reef hydrodynamics to variations in numbers of planktonic larvae on and around coral reefs. Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 2: 125–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchon, C., 1985. Quantitative study of scleractinian coral communities of Tiahura Reef, (Moorea, French Polynesia). Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 6: 279–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. E., 1987. Worldwide death of corals: natural cyclic events or man-made pollution? Mar. Pollut. Bull. 18: 9–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. E., 1988. The environmental impact of coral mining on coral reefs in the Maldives. Env. Cons. 15: 159–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buddemeier, R. W. & D. Hopley, 1988. Turn-on and turn-offs: causes and mechanisms of the initiation and termination of coral reef growth. Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 253–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, R. C., 1990a. Mass mortality ofDiadema antillarum. 1. Long-term effects on sea urchin population-dynamics and coral reef algal communities. Mar. Biol. 104: 67–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, R. C., 1990b. Mass mortality ofDiadema antillarum. 2. Effects on population densities and grazing intensity of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes. Mar. Biol. 104: 79–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colgan, M., 1987. Coral reef recovery of Guam (Micronesia) after catastrophic predation byAcanthaster planci. Ecology 68: 1592–1605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, J. H., 1978. Diversity in tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Science 199: 1302–1310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, J. H. & M. J. Keogh, 1985. Disturbance and patch dynamics of subtidal marine animals on hard substrata. In S. T. A. Pickett & P. S. White (eds), The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics. Academic Press Inc., Orlando: 125–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuet, P., O. Naim, G. Faure & J. Y. Conan, 1988. Nutrient-rich groundwater impact on benthic communities on la Saline reef (Reunion Island, Indian Ocean): Preliminary results. Proc 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 2: 207–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, A. L., 1974. The structure and dynamics of algae in the coral reef ecosystem. Proc. 2nd int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 21–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, P. J., 1988. Evolution of the Great Barrier Reef — reductionist dream or expansionist vision. Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 9–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, P. J. & D. McB. Williams, 1989. The replenishment of coral reef fish populations. Oceanogr. mar. biol. ann. Rev. 26: 487–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dollar, S. J. & R. W. Grigg, 1981. Impact of a kaolin clay spill on a coral reef in Hawaii. Mar. Biol. 65: 269–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Done, T. J., 1985. Effects of twoAcanthaster outbreaks on coral community structure: the meaning of devastation. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 5: 315–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Done, T. J., 1988a. Simulation of recovery of pre-disturbance size structure in populations ofPorites. Mar. Biol. 100: 51–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Done, T. J., 1988b. An assessment of coral reefs in Mauritius. COMARAF Ser. Doc. 2.

  • Done, T. J., K. Osborne & K. F. Navin, 1988. Recovery of coral communities post-Acanthaster: Progress and prospects. Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 2: 137–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Done, T. J., P. K. Dayton, A. E. Dayton & R. Steger, 1991. Regional and local variability in recovery of shallow coral communities: Moorea, French Polynesia and central Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 9: 183–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endean, R. & A. M. Cameron, 1985. Ecocatastrophe on the Great Barrier Reef. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 5: 309–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faure, G., 1989. Degradation of coral reefs at Moorea Island (French Polynesia) byAcanthaster planci. J. Coast. Res. 5: 295–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furnas, M. J., A. W. Mitchell, M. Gilmartin & N. Relevante, 1990. Phytoplankton biomass and primary production in semi-enclosed reef lagoons of the Central Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Coral Reefs 9: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrie, C., M. Porcher & M. Masson, 1985. Dredging in French Polynesian reefs: towards a general policy of resource exploitation and site development. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 4: 271–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glynn, P. W., 1985. Corallivore population sizes and feeding effects following el Niño (1982–1983) associated coral mortality in Panama. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 183–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamner, W. M., M. S. Jones, J. H. Carleton, I. R. Hauri & D. McB. Williams, 1988. Zooplankton, planktivorous fish, and water currents on a windward reef face: Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bull. mar. Sci. 42: 459–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, J. A., D. M. Alongi, D. J. W. Moriarty & P. C. Pollard, 1987. The dynamics of benthic microbial communities at Davies Reef, central Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 6: 63–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatcher, B. G., 1984. A maritime accident provides evidence for alternate stable states in benthic communities on coral reefs. Coral Reefs 4: 199–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatcher, B. G., R. E. Johannes & A. I. Robertson, 1989. Review of research relevant to the conservation of shallow water tropical marine ecosystems. Oceanogr. mar. biol. ann. Rev. 27: 337–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson, G. & J. A. Dixon, 1988. Logging versus fisheries and tourism in Palawan. Occasional Papers of the East-West Environment and Policy Institute, 7.

  • Hopley, D. & D. W. Kinsey, 1988. The effects of a rapid short-term sea-level rise on the Great Barrier Reef. In G. I. Pearman (ed.), Greenhouse. Planning for climatic change. E. J. Brill, Leiden: 189–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay, M., 1984. Patterns of fish and urchin grazing on Caribbean coral reefs: are previous results typical? Ecology 65: 446–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Highsmith, R. C., 1980. Passive colonization and asexual colony multiplication in the massive coralPorites lutea Edwards. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 47: 55–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hixon, M. A., 1983. Fish grazing and community structure of reef corals and algae: a synthesis of recent studies. In M. L. Reaka (ed.), The ecology of deep and shallow coral reefs. NOAA, Rockville, Maryland. 1: 79–87.

  • Hughes, T. P., 1989. Community structure and diversity of coral reefs: the role of history. Ecology 70: 275–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, T. P., D. C. Reed & M. J. Boyle, 1987. Herbivory on coral reefs: community structure following mass mortalities of sea urchins. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 113: 39–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannes, R. E., 1975. Pollution and degradation of coral reef communities. In E. J. Ferguson-Wood & R. E. Johannes (eds), Tropical marine pollution, Elsevier Scientific Publ., New York. Elsevier Oceanography Series 12: 15–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannes, R. E. & S. B. Betzer, 1975. Introduction: Marine communities respond differently to pollution in the tropics than at higher latitudes. In E. J. Ferguson-Wood & R. E. Johannes (eds), Tropical marine pollution, Elsevier Scientific Publ., New York. Elsevier Oceanography Series 12: 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, L., 1977. The threespot damselfish: effects on benthic biota of Caribbean coral reefs. Proc. 3rd int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 559–564.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, D. W., 1985. Metabolism, calcification and carbon production. I System level studies. Proc. 2nd int. Coral Reef Symp. 4: 505–626.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lapointe, B. E., 1989. Caribbean coral reefs: Are they becoming algal reefs? Sea Frontiers 35: 82–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larkum, A. W. D., 1983. The primary productivity of plant communities on coral reefs. In D. J. Barnes (ed.), Perspectives on Coral Reefs. The Australian Institute of Marine Science, Brian Clouston Publisher, Manuka: 221–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lighty, R. G., 1982. Fleshy-algal domination of a modern Bahamian barrier reef: example of an alternate climax reef community. Abstract — Proc. 4th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 722.

    Google Scholar 

  • Littler, M. M. & D. S. Littler, 1985. Factors controlling relative dominance of primary producers on biotic reefs. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 4: 35–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobel, P. S., 1980. Herbivory by damselfish and their role in coral reef community ecology. Bull. mar. Sci. 30: 273–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maragos, J. E., C. Evans & P. Holthus, 1985. Reef corals in Kaneohe Bay six years before and after termination of sewerage discharges. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 4: 189–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • McClanahan, T. R. & N. A. Muthiga, 1988. Changes in Kenyan coral reef community structure and function due to exploitation. Hydrobiologia 166: 269–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • McClanahan, T. R. & N. A. Muthiga, 1989. Patterns of predation on a sea urchin,Echinometra mathaei (de Blainville), on Kenyan coral reefs. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 126: 77–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moran, P. J., R. H. Bradbury & R. E. Reichelt, 1988. Distribution of recent outbreaks of the crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) along the Great Barrier Reef: 1985–1986. Coral Reefs 7: 125–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty, D. J. W., P. C. Pollard, W. G. Hunt, C. M. Moriarty, T. Wassenberg, 1985. Productivity of bacteria and microalgae and the effect of grazing by holothurians on a coral reef flat. Mar. Biol. 85: 293–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro, J. L. & D. McB. Williams, 1985. Assessment and management of coral reef fisheries: biological, environmental and socioeconomic aspects. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp. 4: 543–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro, J. L. & I. R. Smith, 1984. Management strategies in multispecies complexes in artisanal fisheries. Proc. Gulf Caribb. Fish. Inst. 36: 127–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muthiga, N. A. & T. R. McClanahan, 1987. Population changes of a sea urchin (Echinometra mathaei) on an exploited fringing reef. Afr. J. Ecol. 25: 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, J. K. & B. L. Willis, 1987. Coral-spawn slicks in the Great Barrier Reef: preliminary observations. Mar. Biol. 94: 521–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payri, P. E. & O. Naim, 1982. Variations entre 1971 et 1980 de la biomass et de la composition des populations de macroalgues sur le recif corallien de Tiahura (Ile de Moorea, Polynesie Francaise) Cryptogamie: Algologie 3: 229–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, R. G., 1981. Recovery and recolonisation of coral reefs. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 4: 105–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pichon, M. & J. Morrissey, 1985. Premieres mesures de bilan metabolique dans l'ecosysteme recifal de Tulear (Madagascar). C.r. Acad. Sci. Paris 300: 99–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potts, D. C., 1977. Suppression of coral populations by filamentous algae within damselfish territories. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 28: 207–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricard, M., 1982. Mean features of phytoplankton and primary productivity of Moorea Island (French Polynesia). Abstract. Proc. 4th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russ, G., 1984. The distribution and abundance of herbivorous grazing fishes in the central Great Barrier Reef. I. Levels of variability across the entire continental shelf. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 20: 23–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russ, R. G. & A. C. Alcala, 1989. Effects of intense fishing pressure on an assemblage of coral reef fishes. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 65: 13–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sale, P. F., 1988. What coral reefs can tell us about ecology. Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 19–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvat, B. (ed.), 1987. Human Impacts on Coral reefs: Facts and Recommendations. Antenne Museum Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, French Polynesia, 253 pp.

  • Sammarco, P. W. & J. C. Andrews, 1988. Localised dispersal and recruitment in Great Barrier Reef corals: the Helix Experiment. Science 239: 1422–1424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoilys, M. A., 1988. Abundance and species richness of coral reef fish on the Kenyan coast: the effects of protective management and fishing. Proc. 2nd int. Coral Reef Symp. 2: 261–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. V., W. J. Kimmener, E. A. Laws, R. E. Brock & T. W. Walsh, 1981. Kaneohe Bay sewage diversion experiment: perspectives on ecosystem responses to nutritional perturbation. Pac. Sci. 35: 279–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sournia, A., 1976. Oxygen metabolism of a fringing reef in French Polynesia. Helgol. wiss. Meeres. 28: 401–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steneck, R. S., 1988. Herbivory on coral reefs: a synthesis. Proc. 6th int. Coral Reef Symp. 1: 37–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, T. & G. O'Donnell, 1981. Observations on nitrate, phosphate and silicate in Cleveland Bay, northern Queensland. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 32: 877–887.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, D. McB. & A. I. Hatcher, 1983. Structure of fish communities on outer slopes of inshore, mid-shelf and outer shelf reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 10: 239–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, D. McB., E. Wolanski & J. C. Andrews, 1984. Transport mechanisms and the potential movement of planktonic larvae in the central region of the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 3: 229–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodley, J. D., 1979. The effects of trap-fishing on reef communities in Jamaica. Proc. Is. Mar. Labs. Carib. 13: 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodley, J. D. & 19 others, 1981. Hurricane Allen's impact on Jamaican coral reefs. Science 214: 749–755.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, 4810, Townsville MC, Queensland, Australia

    T. J. Done

Authors
  1. T. J. Done
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Done, T.J. Phase shifts in coral reef communities and their ecological significance. Hydrobiologia 247, 121–132 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008211

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008211

Key words

Search

Navigation