Uncovering the hidden life of 'dead' coral reefs

Date:
September 1, 2020
Source:
University of Queensland
Summary:
'Dead' coral rubble can support more animals than live coral,
according to researchers trialing a high-tech sampling method. A
researcher said that reef rubble habitat was often overlooked as
desolate, unattractive and 'dead', however reef rubble was very
much alive.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== 'Dead' coral rubble can support more animals than live coral, according
to University of Queensland researchers trialling a high-tech sampling
method.


==========================================================================
UQ's Dr Kenny Wolfe said that reef rubble habitat was often overlooked
as desolate, unattractive and 'dead', however reef rubble was very
much alive.

"When people think of coral reefs they often think of larger invertebrates
that are easily found, such as sea cucumbers, starfish and giant clams,"
Dr Wolfe said.

"But interestingly, dead coral rubble supports more of what we call
'cryptic' animals than live coral.

"Cryptic animals are simply hidden creatures, that include tiny crabs,
fishes, snails and worms -- all of which hide in the nooks and crannies
of the reef to avoid predation.

"And just like on land with small insects and bugs, biodiversity in the
sea can be dominated by these tiny invertebrates." As these creatures
try to remain hidden, finding and surveying them requires particular
care and attention.



==========================================================================
Dr Wolfe teamed up with UQ Innovate to design 3D-printed coral stacks
called RUBS (RUbble Biodiversity Samplers), to survey cryptic animals
on coral reefs.

The 3D-printed 'coral' mimics the surrounding reef rubble, seamlessly
inviting hidden reef organisms to be unknowingly monitored.

"Every piece of coral or rubble is different," Dr Wolfe said.

"RUBS provide a uniform method to survey the hidden majority on coral
reefs.

"By sampling the RUBS' structures over time, the team were able to
identify changes in the cryptic population, adding pieces to the puzzle
and filling in the unknowns of coral reef food webs.



========================================================================== "This data fills important knowledge gaps, such as how small cryptic
animals support coral reefs from the bottom of the food chain, all the
way up to bigger predators." Dr Wolfe believes that the new technique
is another step in better understanding our precious reefs -- whether considered 'alive' or 'dead'.

"We're really pulling back the curtain on just how alive these 'degraded'
reefs are," he said.

"These are important habitats, which support coral reef biodiversity
and important food webs.

"This new technology is a new opportunity for reef management,
particularly for reef education and awareness.

"We're excited to learn about and celebrate the diversity of life in
this misunderstood habitat." It was a collaboration between UQ's School
of Biological Sciences and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef
Studies.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Queensland. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kennedy Wolfe, Peter J. Mumby. RUbble Biodiversity Samplers:
3D‐printed coral models to standardize biodiversity censuses.

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2020; DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.13462 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200901093415.htm

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