Using the Goldilocks Principle to model coral ecosystem engineering

Hennige, S.J., Larsson, A.I., Orejas, C., Gori, A., De Clippele, L. H. , Lee, Y.C., Jimeno, G., Georgoulas, K., Kamenos, N.A. and Roberts, J. M. (2021) Using the Goldilocks Principle to model coral ecosystem engineering. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences, 288(1956), 20211260. (doi: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1260)

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Abstract

The occurrence and proliferation of reef-forming corals is of vast importance in terms of the biodiversity they support and the ecosystem services they provide. The complex three-dimensional structures engineered by corals are comprised of both live and dead coral, and the function, growth and stability of these systems will depend on the ratio of both. To model how the ratio of live : dead coral may change, the ‘Goldilocks Principle’ can be used, where organisms will only flourish if conditions are ‘just right’. With data from particle imaging velocimetry and numerical smooth particle hydrodynamic modelling with two simple rules, we demonstrate how this principle can be applied to a model reef system, and how corals are effectively optimizing their own local flow requirements through habitat engineering. Building on advances here, these approaches can be used in conjunction with numerical modelling to investigate the growth and mortality of biodiversity supporting framework in present-day and future coral reef structures.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Ecology, Goldilocks Principle, Lophelia pertusa, flow velocity, smoothed-particle hydrodynamics modelling, particle image velocimetry, coral.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:De Clippele, Dr Laurence and Kamenos, Professor Nick
Authors: Hennige, S.J., Larsson, A.I., Orejas, C., Gori, A., De Clippele, L. H., Lee, Y.C., Jimeno, G., Georgoulas, K., Kamenos, N.A., and Roberts, J. M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences
Publisher:The Royal Society
ISSN:0962-8452
ISSN (Online):1471-2954
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences 288(1956):20211260
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

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