Studying functions on coral reefs: past perspectives, current conundrums, and future potential

IF 2.7 2区生物学 Q1 MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY

Coral Reefs Pub Date : 2024-02-24 DOI:10.1007/s00338-024-02474-z

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Function-based studies have opened a new chapter in our understanding of coral reefs. Unfortunately, we are opening this chapter as the world’s reefs rapidly transform. In this context, one of the most important roles of function-based studies is to inform coral reef conservation. At this critical juncture, we have a chance to reflect on where we have come from, and where we are going, in coral reef functional ecology, with specific consideration of what this means for our approaches to conserving reefs. As focal examples, we examine the role of corals on reefs, and the practice of culling crown-of-thorns starfish, from a functional perspective. We also consider how the papers in this special issue build on our current understanding. Ultimately, we highlight how robust scientific investigation, based on an understanding of ecosystem functions, will be key in helping us navigate reefs through the current coral reef crisis.

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研究珊瑚礁的功能：过去的观点、当前的难题和未来的潜力

摘要基于功能的研究为我们了解珊瑚礁揭开了新的篇章。不幸的是，在我们翻开这一页的同时，世界珊瑚礁正在迅速发生变化。在这种情况下，基于功能的研究最重要的作用之一就是为珊瑚礁保护提供信息。在这个关键时刻，我们有机会反思珊瑚礁功能生态学的来龙去脉，并具体考虑这对我们保护珊瑚礁的方法意味着什么。作为重点实例，我们从功能学的角度研究了珊瑚在珊瑚礁上的作用以及捕杀棘冠海星的做法。我们还考虑了本特刊中的论文如何建立在我们目前的理解之上。最后，我们强调，在了解生态系统功能的基础上开展强有力的科学调查，将是帮助我们引导珊瑚礁度过当前珊瑚礁危机的关键。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Coral Reefs 生物-海洋与淡水生物学

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

11.40%

发文量

111

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Coral Reefs, the Journal of the International Coral Reef Society, presents multidisciplinary literature across the broad fields of reef studies, publishing analytical and theoretical papers on both modern and ancient reefs. These encourage the search for theories about reef structure and dynamics, and the use of experimentation, modeling, quantification and the applied sciences. Coverage includes such subject areas as population dynamics; community ecology of reef organisms; energy and nutrient flows; biogeochemical cycles; physiology of calcification; reef responses to natural and anthropogenic influences; stress markers in reef organisms; behavioural ecology; sedimentology; diagenesis; reef structure and morphology; evolutionary ecology of the reef biota; palaeoceanography of coral reefs and coral islands; reef management and its underlying disciplines; molecular biology and genetics of coral; aetiology of disease in reef-related organisms; reef responses to global change, and more.