Contrasting coral community structures between natural and artificial substrates at Koh Tao, Gulf of Thailand. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monchanin, Coline; Mehrotra, Rahul; Haskin, Elouise; Scott, Chad M.; Urgell Plaza, Pau; Allchurch, Alyssa; Arnold, Spencer; Magson, Kirsty; Hoeksema, Bert W.
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 172(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Artificial reef -- Coral reef -- Recruitment -- Spawning; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: Concrete cubic frames and decommissioned steel naval vessels have been deployed in Thailand liberally to act as artificial substrates for coral restoration and marine recreation. We assessed recruitment at such substrate types at Koh Tao, Gulf of Thailand, and compared the community structure of scleractinian corals between artificial substrates and nearby natural reefs. Our results from a sample of 2677 recruits from nine sites highlighted significant differences in community structure between both reef types. Investigations of variables including time since deployment, distance from the natural reef, and seafloor depth revealed only the latter as a possible influencing factor. The diversity of recruits could not be explained by dynamics in coral spawning, and were found to represent groups with lower structural complexity. Our results suggest that coral community structure on artificial and natural reefs differs and supports distinct ecological and functional roles. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Abundance and diversity of coral recruits were evaluated on different artificial substrates. Coral community structures between artificial substrates and natural reefs differ considerably. Differences are not explained by time nor distance between artificial and natural reefs. Some trends correlate with depth, however mechanisms remain unclear. Possible explanations for differences between artificial and natural reefs are explored.