Dynamic simulation of tropical coral reef ecosystem being disturbed by multiple situations

Geng Wang; Rui Dong; Huimin Xu; Dewen Ding

doi:10.1007/s13131-021-1779-1

Volume 40 Issue 9

Sep. 2021

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > Acta Oceanologica Sinica > 2021 > 40(9): 105-116

Geng Wang, Rui Dong, Huimin Xu, Dewen Ding. Dynamic simulation of tropical coral reef ecosystem being disturbed by multiple situations[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2021, 40(9): 105-116. doi: 10.1007/s13131-021-1779-1

Citation:

Geng Wang, Rui Dong, Huimin Xu, Dewen Ding. Dynamic simulation of tropical coral reef ecosystem being disturbed by multiple situations[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2021, 40(9): 105-116. doi: 10.1007/s13131-021-1779-1

Citation:

PDF( 653 KB)

Dynamic simulation of tropical coral reef ecosystem being disturbed by multiple situations

doi: 10.1007/s13131-021-1779-1

Geng Wang^{1
,
,},
Rui Dong¹,
Huimin Xu²,
Dewen Ding^{3, 4}

1.
School of Geography, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China
2.
Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
3.
First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266071, China
4.
South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China

Funds: The Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Science under contract No. XDA13020401.

More Information

Corresponding author: E-mail address: wanggeng@lnnu.edu.cn
Received Date: 2020-03-13
Accepted Date: 2020-05-14

Available Online: 2021-06-29

Publish Date: 2021-09-30

Abstract

Abstract

In consideration of the rapid degradation of coral reef ecosystems, the establishment of models is helpful to comprehend the degradation mechanism of coral reef ecosystems and predict the development process of coral reef communities. According to the characteristics of complex ecosystem of tropical coral reefs in China, the coral reef functional group is the core level variable; combined with the multiple feedback effects of coral reef functional groups and environmental changes, the study presents a coral reef ecosystem dynamics model with hermatypic corals as the core. Based on the simulation of the assumed initial value and the internal feedback of the system, the results show that in the basic simulation (relative health conditions), the coverage area of live corals and coral reefs generally decreased first and then increased, and increased by 4.67% and 6.38% between 2010 and 2050, respectively. Based on the calibration model and the current situation of the studied area, the multi-factor disturbance effects of coral reef communities were simulated and explored by setting up three scenarios involving fishing policy, terrestrial deposition, and inorganic nitrogen emissions. Among them, in the single factor disturbance, the fishing policy exerts the most direct impact on the community decline; and the succession phenomenon is obvious; the terrestrial sedimentation has a faster and more integrated effect on the community decline; the effect of inorganic nitrogen emission on the community decline is relatively slow. In the double/multi-factor disturbance, the superimposed disturbance will aggravate the multi-source feedback effect of the coral reef communities development, accelerate the community decay rate, and make its development trajectory more complicated and diverse. This method provides a scientific and feasible method for simulating the damage of long-term coral reef community and exploring the development law and adaptive management of coral reef ecosystems. In the future, it can be further studied in the ecological restoration process and decision-making direction of coral reefs.
- coral reef ecosystem,
- system dynamics,
- situational disturbance,
- simulation

Estimated by existing research, 300 hm² of coral reefs can support about 2 000 ind.crown-of-thorns starfish with an initial living coral coverage of 11.6%.

FullText(HTML)

References(54)

References

[1]	Baker A C, Glynn P W, Riegl B. 2008. Climate change and coral reef bleaching: An ecological assessment of long-term impacts, recovery trends and future outlook. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 80(4): 435–471. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2008.09.003
[2]	Bartelet H A. 2017. Coral Reef Dynamics. Amsterdam: DynaMundo Publishing, 34–37
[3]	Bellwood D R, Hoey A S, Ackerman J L, et al. 2006. Coral bleaching, reef fish community phase shifts and the resilience of coral reefs. Global Change Biology, 12(9): 1587–1594. doi: 10.1111/j.1365–2486.2006.01204.x
[4]	Bongiorni L, Giovanelli D, Rinkevich B, et al. 2011. First step in the restoration of a highly degraded coral reef (Singapore) by in situ coral intensive farming. Aquaculture, 322–323: 191–200. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2011.09.024
[5]	Branchini S, Pensa F, Neri P, et al. 2015. Using a citizen science program to monitor coral reef biodiversity through space and time. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24(2): 319–336. doi: 10.1007/s10531–014-0810–7
[6]	Carpenter K E, Abrar M, Aeby G, et al. 2008. One-third of reef-building corals face elevated extinction risk from climate change and local impacts. Science, 321(5888): 560–563. doi: 10.1126/science.1159196
[7]	Chang Y C, Hong F W, Lee M T. 2008. A system dynamic based DSS for sustainable coral reef management in Kenting coastal zone, Taiwan. Ecological Modelling, 211(1–2): 153–168. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2007.09.001
[8]	Fabricius K E. 2005. Effects of terrestrial runoff on the ecology of corals and coral reefs: review and synthesis. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 50(2): 125–146. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.11.028
[9]	Fabricius K E, Wild C, Wolanski E, et al. 2003. Effects of transparent exopolymer particles and muddy terrigenous sediments on the survival of hard coral recruits. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 57(4): 613–621. doi: 10.1016/S0272–7714(02)00400–6
[10]	Grossman L A. 2014. The impact of sea surface temperature on outbreaks of Acanthaster planci on the Great Barrier Reef. Scripps Senior Theses, Paper 306
[11]	Heron S F, Eakin C M, Fanny D, et al. 2017. Impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage Coral Reefs: A First Global Scientific Assessment. Paris: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
[12]	Holmes G, Johnstone R W. 2010. Modelling coral reef ecosystems with limited observational data. Ecological Modelling, 221(8): 1173–1183. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.01.010
[13]	Huang Hui, Dong Zhijun, Lian Jiansheng. 2008. Establishment of nature reserve of coral reef ecosystem on the Xisha Islands. Tropical Geography (in Chinese), 28(6): 540–544. doi: 10.13284/j.cnki.rddl.001090
[14]	Huang Hui, You Feng, Lian Jiansheng, et al. 2012. Composition and distribution of scleractinian coral in the northwest of Hainan Island. Marine Sciences (in Chinese), 36(9): 64–74
[15]	Huang Jieying, Huang Hui, Zhang Yuyang, et al. 2011. Embryonic and larval development of Montipora turgescens and Acropora robusta. Journal of Tropical Oceanography (in Chinese), 30(2): 67–73
[16]	Hughes T P, Graham N A J, Jackson J B C, et al. 2010. Rising to the challenge of sustaining coral reef resilience. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 25(11): 633–642. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2010.07.011
[17]	Kubicek A, Reuter H. 2016. Mechanics of multiple feedbacks in benthic coral reef communities. Ecological Modelling, 329: 29–40. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.02.018
[18]	Li Xiubao, Huang Hui, Lian Jiansheng, et al. 2007. Progress of adaptive mechanism of coral and symbiotic algae during bleaching. Acta Ecologica Sinica (in Chinese), 27(3): 1217–1225
[19]	Li Yuanchao, Chen Shiquan, Zheng Xinqing, et al. 2018. Analysis of the change of hermatypic corals in Yongxing Island and Qilianyu Island in nearly a decade. Haiyang Xuebao (in Chinese), 40(8): 97–109. doi: 10.3969/ji.ssn.0253–4193.2018.08.010
[20]	Li Yuanchao, Huang Hui, Dong Zhijun, et al. 2008. Headway of study on coral reefs ecological restoration. Acta Ecologica Sinica (in Chinese), 28(10): 5047–5054
[21]	Li Yuanchao, Liu Yilin, Huang Jieying, et al. 2015. Feasibility study on restoration of coral reef ecosystem in Xisha Islands. Ocean Development and Management (in Chinese), 32(1): 101–103
[22]	Liao Zhiheng, Yu Kefu, Wang Yinghui. 2016. Review on the effect of macroalgae on the degeneration of coral reefs. Acta Ecologica Sinica (in Chinese), 36(21): 6687–6695. doi: 10.5846/stxb201505040909
[23]	Liu Xiaoqian, Pei Tao, Zhou Chenghu, et al. 2018. A systems dynamic model of a coal-based city with multiple adaptive scenarios: A case study of Ordos, China. Science China Earth: Sciences, 61(3): 302–316. doi: 10.1007/s11430–016-9077–5
[24]	Liu Yong, Zhou Feng, Guo Huaicheng, et al. 2006. Management-oriented characterization of lake ecosystem dynamics. Acta Ecologica Sinica (in Chinese), 26(10): 3434–3441
[25]	Moran P J, De'ath G. 1992. Estimates of the abundance of the crown-of-throns starfish Acanthaster planci in outbreaking and non-outbreaking populations on reefs within the Great Barrier Reef. Marine Biology, 113: 509–515. doi: 10.1007/BF00349178
[26]	National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China. 2010–2016. China Fishery Statistical Yearbook. Beijing: China Agricultural Publishing House
[27]	Precht W F. 2006. Coral Reef Restoration Handbook. Boca Raton, Florida, USA: CRC Press
[28]	Qin Zhenjun, Yu Kefu, Wang Yinghui. 2016. Review on ecological restoration theories and practices of coral reefs. Tropical Geography (in Chinese), 36(1): 80–86. doi: 10.13284/j.cnki.rddl.002809
[29]	Ramos-Scharrón C E, Torres-Pulliza D, Hernández-Delgado E A. 2015. Watershed- and island wide-scale land cover changes in Puerto Rico (1930s–2004) and their potential effects on coral reef ecosystems. Science of the Total Environment, 506–507: 241–251. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.11.016
[30]	Rinkevich B. 2005. Conservation of coral reefs through active restoration measures: recent approaches and last decade progress. Environmental Science and Technology, 39(12): 4333–4342. doi: 10.1021/es0482583
[31]	Shen Yuchun, Yang Xiaodong, Liu Li, et al. 2014. Gonadal development and fecundity of corals Porites lutea, Goniopora djiboutiensis, and Galaxea fascicularis in South China Sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese), 45(2): 314–321. doi: 10.11693/hyhz20121112002
[32]	Shi Qi, Zhao Meixia, Zhang Qiaomin, et al. 2009. Estimate of carbonate production by scleractinian corals at Luhuitou fringing reef, Sanya, China. Chinese Science Bulletin, 54(4): 696–705. doi: 10.1007/s11434–008-0533–9
[33]	Shlesinger T, Loya Y. 2016. Recruitment, mortality, and resilience potential of scleractinian corals at Eilat, Red Sea. Coral Reefs, 35(4): 1357–1368. doi: 10.1007/s00338–016-1468–2
[34]	Sterman J D. 2000. Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World. Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill, doi: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601336
[35]	South China Sea Bureau of Natural Resources Ministry. 2013−2017. Bulletin on the state of the marine environment of the South China Sea in 2012−2016. http://scs.mnr.gov.cn/scsb/gbytj/list.shtml [2019-06-15]
[36]	Szmant A M. 2002. Nutrient enrichment on coral reefs: Is it a major cause of coral reef decline?. Estuaries, 25(4): 743–766. doi: 10.1007/BF02804903
[37]	Talbot F, Wilkinson C. 2001. Coral Reefs, Mangroves and Seagrasses: a Sourcebook for Managers. Townsville, AU: Australian Institute of Marine Sciences
[38]	Tu Qiang. 2007. Xisha coral reef is eroded by a large number of crown-of-thorns starfish. Ocean World (in Chinese), (6): 4
[39]	Wang Daoru, Wang Huajie, Li Yuanchao, et al. 2011. Preliminary study of coral larvae supplementary source around Leizhou Peninsula. Journal of Tropical Oceanography (in Chinese), 30(2): 26–32
[40]	Wang Lirong, Yu Hongbin, Li Cuitian, et al. 2018. Progress in marine ecosystem restoration. Journal of Applied Oceanography (in Chinese), 37(3): 435–446. doi: 10.3969/J.ISSN.2095–4972.2018.03.017
[41]	Wilkinson C. 2008. Status of coral reefs of the world: 2008—Global coral reef monitoring network and reef and rainforest research center. Coral Reefs, (3): 296
[42]	Wilkinson C R. 2004. Status of the Coral Reefs of the World: 2004. Vol 2. Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science
[43]	Wu Zhongjie, Wang Daoru, Tu Zhigang, et al. 2011. The analysis on the reason of hermatypic coral degradation in Xisha. Haiyang Xuebao (in Chinese), 33(4): 140–146
[44]	Yu Kefu. 2012. Coral reefs in the South China Sea: Their response to and records on past environmental changes. Science China: Earth Sciences, 55(8): 1217–1229. doi: 10.1360/zd-2012–42-8–1160
[45]	Zhang Yuanhui, Chen Liqi. 2006. Response of coral reef in Nansha waters to increasing atmospheric CO₂. Journal of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 25(1): 68–76
[46]	Zhang Yuyang, Huang Hui, Huang Jieying, et al. 2013. Xisha Islands coral larvae cultivation experiment. Ocean Development and Management (in Chinese), 30(Z1): 78–82
[47]	Zhang Zhendong, Shao Kuishuang, Yang Zhengxian, et al. 2018. Evaluation of the Xisha coral reef ecosystem carrying capacity. Marine Environmental Science (in Chinese), 37(4): 487–492
[48]	Zhao Huanting, Wang Lirong, Yuan Jiayi. 2016. Sustainable development of the coral reefs in the South China Sea Islands. Tropical Geography (in Chinese), 36(1): 55–65. doi: 10.13284/j.cnki.rddl.002800
[49]	Zhao Meixia, Jiang Dapeng, Zhang Qiaomin. 2017. Review on the study of coral cay dynamics and its stability. Tropical Geography (in Chinese), 37(5): 694–700. doi: 10.13284/j.cnki.rddl.002988
[50]	Zhao Meixia, Yu Kefu, Zhang Qiaomin. 2006. Review on coral reefs biodiversity and ecological function. Acta Ecologica Sinica (in Chinese), 26(1): 186–194
[51]	Zhou Hongying, Yao Xuemei, Li Li, et al. 2017. Scleractinian coral community structure and distribution in the coastal waters surrounding Hainan Island. Biodiversity Science (in Chinese), 25(10): 1123–1130. doi: 10.17520/biods.2017079
[52]	Zhou Jin, Jin Hui, Cai Zhonghua. 2014. A review of the role and function of microbes in coral reef ecosystem. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (in Chinese), 25(3): 919–930. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.2014.0066
[53]	Zhu Zhixiong, Zhou Yongcan, Ke Shaowen, et al. 2012. The survey and preliminary research on main diseases of stony coral in Xisha Archipelago. Haiyang Xuebao (in Chinese), 34(6): 195–204
[54]	Zou Dinghui, Xia Jianrong. 2011. Nutrient metabolism of marine macroalgae and its relationship with coastal eutrophication: A review. Chinese Journal of Ecology (in Chinese), 30(3): 589–595. doi: 10.13292/j.1000–4890.2011.0076