The size-structure of corals with contrasting life-histories: a multi-scale analysis across environmental conditions
Adjeroud, M.; Mauguit, Q.; Penin, L. (2015). The size-structure of corals with contrasting life-histories: a multi-scale analysis across environmental conditions. Mar. Environ. Res. 112(Part A): 131-139. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2015.10.004
In: Marine Environmental Research. Applied Science Publishers: Barking. ISSN 0141-1136; e-ISSN 1879-0291, more
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| Keywords |
Scleractinia [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Coral reefs; Scleractinian corals; Population structure; Size-frequencydistribution; Spatial patterns; Environmental constraints; Societyislands |
| Authors | | Top |
- Adjeroud, M.
- Mauguit, Q., more
- Penin, L.
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| Abstract |
We report variation in the size-structure of three coral taxa in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) using a hierarchical sampling design that integrates the regional (among three islands: Moorea, Raiatea, Tahiti), island (among three locations around each island), and local levels (among three depths: 6, 12, 18 m, at each location). All coral taxa exhibited strong heterogeneity in their size-structure, with marked variation among depths, locations, and islands. Porites spp. and Acropora globiceps populations at 6 m depth were dominated by smaller size classes compared to other depths. Regional-scale variation was particularly evident for Pocillopora meandrina and A. globiceps, with a higher proportion of smaller colonies found at Raiatea, probably as a result of recent cyclones followed by higher recruitment rates. Porites spp. populations were characterized by a preponderance of larger colonies, and greater size ranges compared to the other two taxa. |
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