Influence of marine reserves on coral disease prevalence

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Kathryn B. Rosell¹  Krystal L. Rypien¹  Laurie Raymundo¹  Stephen J. Neale¹  David M. Baker¹  Yimnang Golbuu¹  Bette L. Willis¹  Cathie A. Page¹  Jason P. Andras¹  C. Drew Harvell¹ 

关键词: Coral disease;    Skeletal eroding band;    Brown band disease;    Growth anomalies;    Coral bleaching;    Marine protected area;    Marine reserve;    Indo-Pacific;   

DOI  :  10.3354/dao02112

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT: Predicted increases in disease with climate warming highlight the need for effective management strategies to mitigate disease effects in coral communities. We examined the role of marine protected areas (MPAs) in reducing disease in corals and the hypothesis that the composition of fish communities can influence coral health, by comparing disease prevalence between MPA and non-protected (control) reefs in Palau. Overall, the prevalence of diseases pooled, as well as the prevalence of skeletal eroding band (SEB), brown band disease (BrB) and growth anomalies (GAs) individually in major disease hosts (families Acroporidae and Poritidae), were not significantly reduced within MPAs. In fact, the prevalence of SEB was 2-fold higher within MPAs overall; however, the 4 studied MPAs were ineffective in enhancing coral assemblage or fish stock health. A negative association between the prevalence of SEB and richness of a fish species targeted by fishers in Palau highlights the potential role that well-managed MPAs could play in reducing SEB. The composition of coral communities and their susceptibility to bleaching also influenced the prevalence of disease on the studied reefs. The prevalence of diseases pooled and SEB were positively associated with the cover of major disease hosts (families Acroporidae and Poritidae), and the prevalence of BrB and bleaching were also positively associated. Although our study did not show positive effects of MPAs on coral heath, we did identify the potential for increased fish diversity within MPAs to reduce coral disease. Our study also highlights the complexity of relationships between fish assemblages, coral community composition and coral health on Indo-Pacific reefs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown