Sensitivity of a cold-water coral reef to interannual variability in regional oceanography

Kazanidis, G., Henry, L.-A., Vad, J., Johnson, C., De Clippele, L. and Roberts, J. M. (2021) Sensitivity of a cold-water coral reef to interannual variability in regional oceanography. Diversity and Distributions, 27(9), pp. 1719-1731. (doi: 10.1111/ddi.13363)

Abstract

Aim: We assessed the effects of regional oceanographic shifts on the macrofaunal biodiversity and biogeography of cold-water coral reefs (CWCRs). CWCRs are often hotspots of biodiversity and ecosystem services and are in the frontline of exposure to multiple human pressures and climate change. Almost nothing is known about how large-scale atmospheric variability affects the structure of CWCRs’ communities over ecological timescales, and this hinders their efficient conservation. This knowledge gap is especially evident for species-rich macrofauna, a key component for ecosystem functioning. Location: The Mingulay Reef Complex, a protected biogenic ecosystem in the northeast Atlantic (120–190 m). Methods: A unique time series (2003–2011) at 79 stations was used to make the first assessment of interannual changes in CWCRs’ macrofaunal biodiversity, biogeography and functional traits. We quantified the impacts of interannual changes in North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI)—the major mode of atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic, bottom temperature and salinity alongside static variables of seafloor terrain and hydrography. Results: Environmental gradients explained a significant amount of community composition (urn:x-wiley:13669516:media:ddi13363:ddi13363-math-0001 = 26.7%, p < .01) with interannual changes in bottom temperature, salinity and NAOI explaining nearly twice as much variability than changes in terrain or hydrography. We observed significant differences in community composition, diversity and functional traits but not in species richness across interannual variability in bottom temperature. In warmer years, the biogeographic composition shifted more towards a temperate and subtropical affinity. Main Conclusions: Our findings highlight the necessity for thorough investigations of faunal communities in CWCRs as they may be sensitive to interannual changes in regional oceanography. Considering the scientific consensus on the substantial warming of North Atlantic by 2100, we recommend the establishment of programmes for the monitoring of CWCRs. This will support an advanced understanding of CWCRs’ environmental status over time and will serve their conservation for the future.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding information: This study received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 678760 (ATLAS) and grant agreement no. 818123 (iAtlantic) to JMR.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: De Clippele, Dr Laurence
• Authors: Kazanidis, G., Henry, L.-A., Vad, J., Johnson, C., De Clippele, L., and Roberts, J. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Diversity and Distributions
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1366-9516
• ISSN (Online): 1472-4642
• Published Online: 02 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Diversity and Distributions 27(9):1719-1731
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license