Urban coral reefs: Degradation and resilience of hard coral assemblages in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia

• Eliza C. Heery
• Bert W. Hoeksema
• Nicola K. Browne
• James D. Reimer
• Put O. Ang
• Danwei Huang
• Daniel A. Friess
• Loke Ming Chou
• Lynette H.L. Loke
• Poonam Saksena-Taylor
• Nadia Alsagoff
• Thamasak Yeemin
• Makamas Sutthacheep
• Si Tuan Vo
• Arthur R. Bos
• Girley S. Gumanao
• Muhammad Ali Syed Hussein
• Zarinah Waheed
• David J.W. Lane
• Ofri Johan
• Andreas Kunzmann
• Jamaluddin Jompa
• Andrew G. Bauman
• Daisuke Taira
• Peter A. Todd

Abstract

Given predicted increases in urbanization in tropical and subtropical regions, understanding the processes shaping urban coral reefs may be essential for anticipating future conservation challenges. We used a case study approach to identify unifying patterns of urban coral reefs and clarify the effects of urbanization on hard coral assemblages. Data were compiled from 11 cities throughout East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Naha (Okinawa). Our review highlights several key characteristics of urban coral reefs, including “reef compression” (a decline in bathymetric range with increasing turbidity and decreasing water clarity over time and relative to shore), dominance by domed coral growth forms and low reef complexity, variable city-specific inshore-offshore gradients, early declines in coral cover with recent fluctuating periods of acute impacts and rapid recovery, and colonization of urban infrastructure by hard corals. We present hypotheses for urban reef community dynamics and discuss potential of ecological engineering for corals in urban areas.

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.041

Cite this activity

@article{Heery2018,
  Title = {Urban coral reefs: Degradation and resilience of hard coral assemblages in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia},
  Author = {Heery, Eliza C. and Hoeksema, Bert W. and Browne, Nicola K. and Reimer, James D. and Ang, Put O. and Huang, Danwei and Friess, Daniel A. and Chou, Loke Ming and Loke, Lynette H.L. and Saksena-Taylor, Poonam and Alsagoff, Nadia and Yeemin, Thamasak and Sutthacheep, Makamas and Vo, Si Tuan and Bos, Arthur R. and Gumanao, Girley S. and Syed Hussein, Muhammad Ali and Waheed, Zarinah and Lane, David J.W. and Johan, Ofri and Kunzmann, Andreas and Jompa, Jamaluddin and Bauman, Andrew G. and Taira, Daisuke and Todd, Peter A.},
  Editor = {},
  Journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},
  Year = {2018},
  Pages = {654-681},
  Volume = {135},
  Doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.041},
  Abstract = {Given predicted increases in urbanization in tropical and subtropical regions, understanding the processes shaping urban coral reefs may be essential for anticipating future conservation challenges. We used a case study approach to identify unifying patterns of urban coral reefs and clarify the effects of urbanization on hard coral assemblages. Data were compiled from 11 cities throughout East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Naha (Okinawa). Our review highlights several key characteristics of urban coral reefs, including “reef compression” (a decline in bathymetric range with increasing turbidity and decreasing water clarity over time and relative to shore), dominance by domed coral growth forms and low reef complexity, variable city-specific inshore-offshore gradients, early declines in coral cover with recent fluctuating periods of acute impacts and rapid recovery, and colonization of urban infrastructure by hard corals. We present hypotheses for urban reef community dynamics and discuss potential of ecological engineering for corals in urban areas.},
}

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Heery, Eliza C.
AU  - Hoeksema, Bert W.
AU  - Browne, Nicola K.
AU  - Reimer, James D.
AU  - Ang, Put O.
AU  - Huang, Danwei
AU  - Friess, Daniel A.
AU  - Chou, Loke Ming
AU  - Loke, Lynette H.L.
AU  - Saksena-Taylor, Poonam
AU  - Alsagoff, Nadia
AU  - Yeemin, Thamasak
AU  - Sutthacheep, Makamas
AU  - Vo, Si Tuan
AU  - Bos, Arthur R.
AU  - Gumanao, Girley S.
AU  - Syed Hussein, Muhammad Ali
AU  - Waheed, Zarinah
AU  - Lane, David J.W.
AU  - Johan, Ofri
AU  - Kunzmann, Andreas
AU  - Jompa, Jamaluddin
AU  - Bauman, Andrew G.
AU  - Taira, Daisuke
AU  - Todd, Peter A.
TI  - Urban coral reefs: Degradation and resilience of hard coral assemblages in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia
T2  - Marine Pollution Bulletin
PY  - 2018
SP  - 654-681
VL  - 135
DO  - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.041
AB  - Given predicted increases in urbanization in tropical and subtropical regions, understanding the processes shaping urban coral reefs may be essential for anticipating future conservation challenges. We used a case study approach to identify unifying patterns of urban coral reefs and clarify the effects of urbanization on hard coral assemblages. Data were compiled from 11 cities throughout East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Naha (Okinawa). Our review highlights several key characteristics of urban coral reefs, including “reef compression” (a decline in bathymetric range with increasing turbidity and decreasing water clarity over time and relative to shore), dominance by domed coral growth forms and low reef complexity, variable city-specific inshore-offshore gradients, early declines in coral cover with recent fluctuating periods of acute impacts and rapid recovery, and colonization of urban infrastructure by hard corals. We present hypotheses for urban reef community dynamics and discuss potential of ecological engineering for corals in urban areas.
ER  - 

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