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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Shading responses are species-specific in thermally stressed corals
Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.11, 1333806
13/09/2024
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Abstract
Light is critical to coral growth through endosymbiont photosynthesis but can also act with elevated temperatures to cause coral bleaching. When more light is absorbed than can be used for photosynthesis, elevated irradiance can damage symbiont photosynthetic machinery. Hence, solar-radiation management through shading has been suggested to alleviate coral bleaching during marine heatwaves. Acropora divaricata and Acropora kenti were tested at two temperatures with 30% shading and an unshaded control to determine the relative impacts of light and temperature on coral bleaching severity. The coral bleaching response was assessed by photochemical (pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry), physiological (symbiont density, chlorophyll a concentration, catalase activity, and lipid peroxidation), and physical (mean intensity of grey or ‘percentage whiteness’) markers. Shading significantly reduced the bleaching response in A. divaricata , whilst for some parameters A. kenti responded negatively to shade. In A. divaricata , shading prevented photochemical collapse up to the experiment’s maximum 4.4 degree-heating weeks (DHW). Biomarkers of coral bleaching stress responded to shade and water temperature at 4.4 DHW; catalase activity was greatest in the shaded and ambient temperature treatment. Shading did not reduce the effects of bleaching in A. kenti ; the mean intensity of grey and light saturation coefficient was greatest in the shaded treatment. Shading did, however, reduce lipid peroxidation at 3 DHW. Our results suggest shading during thermal stress may only protect some coral species, highlighting the need to consider species-specific responses when evaluating the potential efficacy of coral bleaching interventions.
Details
- Title
- Shading responses are species-specific in thermally stressed corals
- Creators
- Sophia L. Ellis (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science CentrePeter Butcherine (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science CentreAlejandro Tagliafico (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science CentreConor Hendrickson (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science CentreBrendan P. Kelaher (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science CentreKai G. Schulz (Author) - Southern Cross University, Centre for Coastal BiogeochemistryDaniel P. Harrison (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science Centre
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.11, 1333806
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was undertaken as part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (Cooling and Shading sub-program), funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
- Identifiers
- 991013222588302368
- Copyright
- © 2024 Ellis, Butcherine, Tagliafico, Hendrickson, Kelaher, Schulz and Harrison.
- Academic Unit
- National Marine Science Centre; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article