Community Structure and Coral Recruitment in Southern Taiwan Coral Reefs

• Main Authors: Zong-yu Wu, 吳宗育
• Other Authors: Tung-Yung Fan
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/83813175072891800192

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 海洋生物研究所 === 100 === Coral bleaching and mortality caused by ocean warming is the largest threaten to modern coral reefs. Understanding the change and acclimatization of coral communities to warming temperature is urgent for management and conservation. Using transect photo-surveys and monitoring of natural substratum quadrats with fluorescence technique, we compare the community structure and recruitment of corals between a reef artificially heated by thermal outfall of a nuclear power plant for more than 25 years (Outlet) and a nearby natural reef (Hobihu) in Nanwan Bay, southern Taiwan. Both reefs are influenced by intermittent upwelling induced by internal wave. Abundance of hard corals in Outlet was significant higher than in Hobihu, while soft corals showed an opposite pattern. Coverages of corals such as Montipora spp., Porites spp., Galaxea spp. and Favia spp. were significant higher, but Seriatopora spp. and Stylophora spp. were significant lower in Outlet than in Hobihu. Coral recruitment rates were higher in Hobihu than in Outlet with Hobihu having more Pocilloporidae recruits while Outlet having more Euphylliidae, majorly Galaxea recruits. Coral recruitment rates and their survivorship were significant higher in spring/summer season than in autumn/winter season. These results suggest that elevated seawater temperature with other contrasting environmental conditions (different exposure and current) may change the structure of coral community by influencing differently on various life stages. Massive and encrusting corals may be more resilient to ocean warming.