Frontiers in Marine Science最新文献

{"title":"Combined uranium-series and trace elements analysis in cold seep bivalves: possibility in hundred-year-scale reconstruction of deep-sea temperature and acidification","authors":"Chaofeng Cai, Jing-Chun Feng, Guozhong Wu, Rui Hou, Xiao Chen, Jinyi Liu, Xiaochun Zhang, Si Zhang","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1528106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1528106","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the pivotal role of deep-sea in the global climate system, effective technology is still limited for reconstructing the key parameters of deep-sea environment such as temperature and acidification, especially at the hundred-year scale. In this study, we assessed the robustness and reliability of using bivalve shells in reconstructing cold seep environments. A significant heterogeneous distribution of trace elements was observed in the shells of clams and mussels from Formosa and Haima cold seeps even if they were collected from the same site, which was caused mainly by the environmental variables rather than physiological characters. The results of the principal component analysis revealed different trace elements ratios in the shell were associated with seepage. In particular, Sr/Ca was identified as a reliable proxy for temperature reconstruction, which performed better than oxygen isotopes. Na/Ca and U/Ca are potential proxies for cold seep acidification, but further validation is needed before their practical application. The age bias using the U-series dating method resulted from high <jats:sup>232</jats:sup>Th and low initial <jats:sup>230</jats:sup>Th/<jats:sup>232</jats:sup>Th rather than from alpha-recoil processes. The median ages assigned to mussels from the F and Haima cold seeps were 229.5 and 323.5 years, respectively. The lifespan of clams from the Haima cold seep was too short to date accurately. We proposed to conduct feasibility verification and error correction to enhance the method performance in reconstructing the hundred-year evolution of cold seep environment in the South China Sea.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"206 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Numerical study of hybrid systems combining different WECs microarrays based on the TGL semi-submersible floating platform","authors":"Mingchen Li, Changdong Wei, Lilei Li, Zhenyu Yuan, Yanjun Liu, Gang Xue","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1563310","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1563310","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, a novel wind-wave energy hybrid concept is proposed, consisting of a Three Gorges Leading semi-submersible floating wind turbine and multiple point absorption wave energy converters (WECs). Based on three-dimensional potential flow theory, numerical simulations are conducted using the hydrodynamic analysis software AQWA. The existing experimental data are used to validate the reliability of the numerical model by comparing and analyzing the hydrodynamic responses of the semi-submersible platform and WECs. Subsequently, the Y-shaped WECs microarray form and the Triangular WECs microarray form are designed based on the different connection methods between WECs and the turbine platform. Numerical simulation is conducted to study the influence of these WECs microarrays on the hybrid system’s performance. The results show that WECs microarray significantly affects the wave contours under short waves. Regarding platform motion stability, the Y-shaped microarray shows superior performance. Regarding mooring line tension, the hybrid system has an advantage under short waves. Regarding absorbed power, multi-body hydrodynamic interactions significantly enhance the WECs’ power absorption capacity. Overall, this study will contribute to the design of wind-wave energy hybrid systems.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategic integration of data envelopment analysis and backcasting theories for zero-emission transition in global container shipping companies: pathways and frameworks","authors":"Min-seop Sim, Jeong-min Lee, Yul-seong Kim, Dong-ho Jung, Chang-hee Lee","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1442572","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1442572","url":null,"abstract":"While previous research on environmental efficiency examines data from the annual reports of shipping companies, this study takes a novel approach. It applies data envelopment analysis (DEA) and backcasting theory to assess environmental efficiency and plan the transition to cleaner fuels among global container shipping companies. Companies are categorized as first movers, second movers, and last movers based on their environmental efficiency. This categorization provides a new perspective on strategic differentiation and improvement tactics for each group. It allows for the development of strategic frameworks tailored to the unique positions of different shipping companies, aiding them achieve the International Maritime Organization’s net-zero target by 2050. The study’s originality lies in its use of DEA to evaluate efficiency and backcasting for strategic planning. This combination provides policymakers and industry leaders with actionable insights and a robust methodological framework for promoting sustainable maritime management. The dual approach not only contributes to academic literature, but also aids in navigating the complexities of green transitions in the shipping industry.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Canopy-forming kelp forests persist in the dynamic subregion of the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, Canada","authors":"L. Man, R. V. Barbosa, L. Y. Reshitnyk, L. Gendall, A. Wachmann, N. Dedeluk, U. Kim, C. J. Neufeld, M. Costa","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1537498","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1537498","url":null,"abstract":"Canopy-forming kelp forests act as foundation species that provide a wide range of ecosystem services along temperate coastlines. With climate change, these ecosystems are experiencing changing environmental and biotic conditions; however, the kelp distribution and drivers of change in British Columbia remain largely unexplored. This research aimed to use satellite imagery and environmental data to investigate the spatiotemporal persistence and resilience of kelp forests in a dynamic subregion of cool ocean temperatures and high kelp abundance in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia. The specific objectives were to identify: 1) long-term (1984 to 2023) and short-term (2016 to 2023) kelp responses to environmental changes; and 2) spatial patterns of kelp persistence. The long-term time series was divided into three climate periods: 1984 to 1998, 1999 to 2014, and 2014 to 2023. The first transition between these periods represented a shift into cooler regional sea-surface temperatures and a negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation in 1999. The second transition represented a change into warmer temperatures (with more marine heatwaves and El Niño conditions) after 2014. In the long-term time series (1984 to 2023), which covered a site with <jats:italic>Macrocystis pyrifera</jats:italic> beds, kelp area increased slightly after the start of the second climate period in 1999. For the short-term time series (2016 to 2023), which focused on eight sites with <jats:italic>Nereocystis luetkeana</jats:italic> beds, most sites either did not change significantly or expanded in kelp area. This suggests that kelp areas remained persistent across these periods despite showing interannual variability. Thus, the dynamic subregion of the Broughton Archipelago may be a climate refuge for kelps, likely due to cool water temperatures that remain below both species’ upper thermal limits. Spatially, on a bed level, both species were more persistent in the center of the kelp beds, but across the subregion, <jats:italic>Macrocystis</jats:italic> had more persistent areas than <jats:italic>Nereocystis</jats:italic>, suggesting life history and/or other factors may be impacting these kelp beds differently. These findings demonstrate the spatiotemporal persistence of kelp forests in the dynamic subregion of the Broughton Archipelago, informing the management of kelp forest ecosystems by First Nations and local communities.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quaternary gas hydrate dissociation promotes the formation of Shenhu Canyon Group in the South China Sea","authors":"Hui Pan, Hui Xie, Zhongxian Zhao, Jinlong Liu, Guozhong Jiang, Ruilong Li, Yuanping Li, Eun Young Lee, Wen Yan","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1530207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1530207","url":null,"abstract":"The Baiyun deepwater region (Shenhu area) of the Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), northern South China Sea (SCS), is characterized by the presence of abundant gas hydrate deposits and dense submarine canyons. However, the relationships between gas hydrate decomposition and formation of submarine canyons remain unclear. Based on the seismic and well data, the variations of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ) thickness were quantitatively calculated. The results indicate that the thickness of the GSHZ, which ranges from 0 to 350m, is distributed in areas where the water depth exceeds 600m. Since ~2.5 Ma, there have been three combinations of sea level and bottom water temperature (BWT) changes that can significantly reduce the thickness of the GHSZ. These combinations have exerted control over the GHSZ thickness in this region: (1) a slight increase in sea level accompanied by a rapid increase in BWT; (2) a rapid decrease in sea level but a slight decrease in BWT; (3) a rapid increase in both sea level and BWT. It has been found that water depth exerts an influence on the variation of the thickness of GHSZ. The impact in shallow water areas (&amp;lt; 1000m) is more significant than that in deep water areas (&amp;gt; 1000m). Consequently, in the Shenhu area, where the water depth ranges from 500 to 1000 m, the reduction in the thickness of GHSZ is consistently much greater than that in deep water areas. It is hypothesized that during seawater warming or seal level dropping, the substantial decrease in the thickness of GHSZ in the Shenhu area leads to the dissociation of gas hydrates. This dissociation may have triggered methane seepage, resulting in the formation of pockmarks. The pockmarks likely weaken the slope sediments, and the subsequent rapid sea level fall promotes synchronous gravity erosion processes, thereby forming a chain of pockmarks (channel). Continuous gas seepage may further trigger slope failures, which can widen the channel. It is proposed that this iterative process contributes to the formation of the current Shenhu Canyon Group. Our study presents a plausible mechanism elucidating how the reduction in the thickness of GHSZ, the release of methane, and the formation of submarine pockmarks interact to influence and reshape the slope morphology, as well as drive the evolution of submarine canyons. This integrative analysis not only uncovers the complex geological processes at play in the study area but also offers valuable insights into the long term geomorphological development in submarine environments.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"54 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143608394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatiotemporal variation characteristics and forecasting of the sea surface temperature in the North Indian Ocean","authors":"Wenwen Huang, Haoran Liang, Tonghui Zhang, Zhendao Chen","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1543177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1543177","url":null,"abstract":"Sea surface temperature (SST) is important for marine environment, and the variation of SST in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) might influence the climate in the local and surrounding area significantly. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) was used to analyze the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of SST in the NIO. Simultaneously, seven hydrometeorological elements, including 10-m zonal wind (U10), 10-m meridional wind (V10), SST, 2-m dew-point temperature (D2M), 2-m air temperature (T2M), mean sea level pressure (MSLP), and total cloud cover (TCC), were selected as input factors to construct a daily SST forecast model based on deep learning method with convolutional neural networks (CNN). A linear and unsaturated Relu function was used in this model as activation function, which could overcome vanishing gradients and accelerate training speed. The results indicate that the annual mean SST in the NIO exhibits an increasing trend from 1980 to 2021 with a spatial gradual increase from northwest to southeast. The EOF analysis shows that the first mode contributes 28.4% of the variance, exhibiting a basin-wide uniform warming pattern over the Indian Ocean. Contribution of the second mode is 10.1%, displaying the characteristic zonal dipole pattern of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Additionally, the SST in the NIO is positively correlated with D2M, T2M, and TCC, while exhibits a negative correlation with MSLP. The correlations with U10 and V10 exhibit significant spatial variability. The constructed SST forecast model has a small prediction error, which is basically stable between ±1°C, and does not exceed 0.5°C in most of the NIO. In spite that the overall prediction error increases with the increase of prediction days, the increase of error is smooth, indicating that the forecast model has a good stability. The SST prediction results preserved the contour and distribution characteristics of the actual images holistically, and the spatiotemporal variation patterns are identical to those of the NIO.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"23 5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cyanobacteria Desertifilum tharense NIOF17/006 as a novel aquafeed additive: effect on the growth, immunity, digestive function, and gene expression of whiteleg shrimp postlarvae","authors":"Mohamed Ashour, Ahmed Said Al-Souti, Ahmed Mamoon, Fawzia S. Ali, Mostafa E. Elshobary, Mohamed M. Mabrouk, Ahmed I. A. Mansour, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Ehab El-Haroun, Ahmed F. Abdelhamid","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1532370","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1532370","url":null,"abstract":"This work investigated the molecular identification and potential application of the cyanobacterial strain <jats:italic>Desertifilum tharense</jats:italic> NIOF17/006 as a novel aquafeed additive for whiteleg shrimp (<jats:italic>Litopenaeus vannamei</jats:italic>) postlarvae (PLs). Morphological and molecular characterization confirmed the isolate as <jats:italic>D. tharense</jats:italic>, with the 16S rRNA sequence analysis showing high similarity (98.01%–98.53%) to the known strains of <jats:italic>D. tharense</jats:italic>. Biochemical analysis revealed that the isolate contains 37.74% protein, 5.52% lipid, and 21.25% carbohydrate, on a dry weight basis. An 8-week feeding trial for <jats:italic>L. vannamei</jats:italic> PLs evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with <jats:italic>D. tharense</jats:italic> NIOF17/006 at doses of 0, 1, 2.5, and 5 g/kg diet. Compared with shrimp in the control group, shrimp fed <jats:italic>D. tharens</jats:italic>e-supplemented diets had significantly higher feed utilization, growth performance, survival rate, and whole body composition. The nonspecific immunity parameters (i.e., lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, and catalase), as well as the digestive enzyme activity of amylase and lipase, were significantly enhanced in shrimp fed diets supplemented with cyanobacteria, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased. The gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of growth-related genes (<jats:italic>growth hormone</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>insulin-like growth factor I</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>insulin-like growth factor II</jats:italic>) and the immune-related genes prophenoloxidase (<jats:italic>proPO</jats:italic>), superoxide dismutase (<jats:italic>SOD</jats:italic>), and lysozyme (<jats:italic>Lys</jats:italic>) in shrimp muscles with increasing cyanobacteria supplementation, particularly at doses of 2.5–5 g/kg diet. Moreover, the polynomial regression machine learning model predicts that the ideal supplementation level of the probiotic cyanobacteria <jats:italic>D. tharense</jats:italic> NIOF17/006 ranges from 3.4 to 4.2 g/kg diet. This study demonstrates the potential of <jats:italic>D. tharense</jats:italic> NIOF17/006 as a promising aquafeed additive for improvement of the growth, immunity, and overall health of <jats:italic>L. vannamei</jats:italic> PLs, opening a new avenue for sustainable aquaculture practices.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"183 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Responses of zebrafish to chronic environmental stressors: anxiety-like behavior and its persistence","authors":"Xiao-hong Li, Cheng Fu, Xue-ting Tan, Shi-jian Fu","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1551595","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1551595","url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionFish in natural ecosystems face long-term environmental stressors, with anxiety being a critical stress response. This study investigates how chronic stressors—predators, social isolation, and caffeine—affect anxiety-like behavior and cortisol levels in zebrafish (<jats:italic>Danio rerio</jats:italic>), and examines the persistence of these effects post-stressor removal.MethodsZebrafish were exposed to three stressors for 14 days. Anxiety-like behavior and cortisol levels were measured for up to 28 days following the removal of the stressors.ResultsChronic predator stress significantly increased anxiety-like behavior and cortisol levels, persisting for at least seven days post-removal. Social isolation reduced anxiety-like behavior and cortisol levels, with effects lasting no less than one day after re-socialization. Caffeine induced temporary anxiolytic effects, reversing one day post-withdrawal and persisting for at least seven days, while cortisol levels remained elevated.DiscussionZebrafish exhibit stressor-specific behavioral and physiological changes with varying persistence. These findings enhance understanding of fish responses to environmental stressors, offering insights into their survival strategies and ecosystem health.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"183 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing aquaculture sustainability: the role of rice floating beds in improving Gibel carp growth and microbiota composition","authors":"Yangyang Jiang, Yongxu Sun, Beibei Zhou, Chaozhen Rong, Shouyun Ruan, Minglin Wu","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1549639","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1549639","url":null,"abstract":"To explore the effects of rice floating beds on fish growth and intestinal microbiota, the present study compared the fish growth performance and the microbial diversity, microbial construction, and microbial composition of water and Gibel carp (<jats:italic>Carassius auratus gibelio</jats:italic>) intestine in rice floating beds ponds and normal ponds. The results revealed that the Gibel carp raised in rice floating beds ponds exhibited significantly greater body length, body weight, and weight gain rates than those in normal ponds. Microbial community analysis showed enhanced richness and diversity in water and intestine of the rice floating beds group. Furthermore, the assembly processes of these microbial communities were predominantly influenced by stochastic mechanisms in rice floating beds ponds. The bacterial phyla associated with nutrient cycling, such as Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Ignavibacteria, were significantly assembled in the rice floating beds group. Overall, these results highlight the potential of rice floating bed systems as a sustainable aquaculture technique, fostering improved growth performance and microbial diversity, which are critical for the health of cultured fish.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of algae in structuring reef communities: innovative monitoring and ecological insights within a Mediterranean conservation priority area","authors":"Thibaut de Bettignies, Lucie Vanalderweireldt, Marie Launay, Grégoire Moutardier, Vanina Pasqualini, Éric Durieux, Line Le Gall","doi":"10.3389/fmars.2025.1516792","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1516792","url":null,"abstract":"The Mediterranean Sea is a “sea under siege”, facing numerous anthropogenic pressures leading to the spread of invasive species and the degradation of reefs, particularly the reduction of habitat-forming macroalgae to turf algae or sea urchin barrens. The coastal waters of Corsica, often considered as a “reference state” due to their lower human impact, have not been thoroughly studied with regard to infralittoral reef communities. This study aimed to characterize these communities and identify their biotic and abiotic drivers through an innovative monitoring protocol (VIT-Reef). From 2019 to 2021, we monitored infralittoral reef communities at 59 sites between 15 and 35 m depth within and adjacent to three MPAs, using innovative rapid assessment dive surveys for 74 benthic taxa. Our results highlighted vertical zonation in reef communities, in particular the depth extent of photophilic algae and the emergence of pre-coralligenous communities. Important ecological implications of taxa covariation were discussed, such as the negative relationship between canopy-forming macroalgae and the invasive algae, <jats:italic>Caulerpa cylindracea</jats:italic>. Notably, geographical contrasts were observed along northern, southern and western MPAs, primarily influenced by algal community changes. <jats:italic>Cystoseira</jats:italic> (sensu lato) forests were identified as the climax state on western reefs, while northern and southern reefs showed significant cover of <jats:italic>Dictyota</jats:italic> spp. and crustose corallines respectively, with concerning levels of <jats:italic>Caulerpa cylindracea</jats:italic> in deeper southern reefs. Our results underscored the structuring role of <jats:italic>Cystoseira</jats:italic> spp. forests and the effects of light, nutrients and <jats:italic>Posidonia oceanica</jats:italic> meadows extending into the reefs. This study highlighted the role of algae in structuring reef communities and will contribute to establish a baseline for conservation planning and predicting future changes in these high priority infralittoral communities.","PeriodicalId":12479,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Marine Science","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}