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Heterotrophic plasticity and resilience in bleached corals

Author

Listed:
  • Andréa G. Grottoli

    (Ohio State University)

  • Lisa J. Rodrigues

    (Villanova University)

  • James E. Palardy

    (Brown University)

Abstract

Cultivating corals Elevated seawater temperatures are causing widespread coral bleaching and mortality, and threaten to damage some of these important ecosystems irreversibly. Bleaching occurs when the symbiotic microalgae that normally provide corals with food are released from the host coral, which then loses its pigment and appears almost white. Some corals survive bleaching, but the mechanisms that ensure survival are poorly understood. To date, studies have focused on the microalgae: the role of coral host physiology in bleaching and recovery has been largely overlooked. A study of bleached and recovering corals from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii now shows that the host can have a significant role in coral recovery and resilience. Increased coral feeding on zooplankton can provide an alternative food source and dramatically enhance coral survival in bleaching events.

Suggested Citation

  • Andréa G. Grottoli & Lisa J. Rodrigues & James E. Palardy, 2006. "Heterotrophic plasticity and resilience in bleached corals," Nature, Nature, vol. 440(7088), pages 1186-1189, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:440:y:2006:i:7088:d:10.1038_nature04565
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04565
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    Cited by:

    1. Speers, Ann E. & Besedin, Elena Y. & Palardy, James E. & Moore, Chris, 2016. "Impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on coral reef fisheries: An integrated ecological–economic model," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 33-43.
    2. Alex S. J. Wyatt & James J. Leichter & Libe Washburn & Li Kui & Peter J. Edmunds & Scott C. Burgess, 2023. "Hidden heatwaves and severe coral bleaching linked to mesoscale eddies and thermocline dynamics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Ruiz Sebastián, Carlos & McClanahan, Timothy R., 2013. "Description and validation of production processes in the coral reef ecosystem model CAFFEE (Coral–Algae–Fish-Fisheries Ecosystem Energetics) with a fisheries closure and climatic disturbance," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 263(C), pages 326-348.
    4. Gustafsson, Malin S.M. & Baird, Mark E. & Ralph, Peter J., 2013. "The interchangeability of autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrogen sources in Scleractinian coral symbiotic relationships: A numerical study," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 183-194.

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