Macroalgae as a tool for assessing the ecological status of coral reefs under the Water Framework Directive: A case study on the reef flats of La Réunion (Indian Ocean). (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zubia, Mayalen; Depetris, Mathieu; Flores, Olivier; Turquet, Jean; Cuet, Pascale
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 137(2018)
• Page Start: 339
• Page End: 351
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Macroalgae -- Cyanobacteria -- Coral reef -- Bioindicator -- Nutrient; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The monitoring of macroalgae is required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) to achieve good ecological status for coastal waters and specific questions arise for tropical ecosystems belonging to the outermost European regions. To assess the suitability of macroalgae as a biological quality indicator for La Réunion reef flats (France), we performed multivariate analyses linking the abundance and composition of macroalgae to water physico-chemistry. Three hydrological groups of stations were identified according to dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations and DIN/PO4 ratios. Some indicator species were found at the N-enriched stations ( Bryopsis pennata, Caulerpa lamourouxii, Chaetomoropha vieillardii, Derbesia sp., Blennothrix lyngbyacea, Sphacelaria tribuloides ), and others at the non-impacted stations ( Anabaena sp1, Blennothrix glutinosa, Codium arabicum, Neomeris vanbosseae ). Another key result was the significant increase in red algal cover at the most N-enriched station. Our findings are discussed in the context of the application of the WFD in the outermost French regions. Highlights: We describe floral assemblages vs. water physico-chemistry on La Réunion reef flats. Three hydrological groups were identified, mainly based on N-enrichment. Abundance and composition of macroalgae differed according to hydrological groups. A list of 10 bioindicator algal species is proposed for La Réunion reef flats. Recommendations are given for the application of the WFD in coral reefs.