Competitive interactions between scleractinian corals and macroalgae

Coral larvae

(Pocillopora acuta) (Montipora stellata) (Merulina ampliata)

IUCN 级别

LC 无危

EX 灭绝

The challenge

When algae kill off corals

Coral reefs are one of the world’s most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems, yet also one of the most threatened. Human activities have dramatically contributed to this decline. Apart from overfishing, sediment run-off from agriculture, industry and sewage disposal has increased nitrates and phosphates in our oceans and rivers. This increases algae growth and when algal bloom covers the water surface, sunlight cannot reach the corals and other plants. Over time, this affects the marine animals and we may see an even greater decline in biodiversity in our waters. While some reefs can recover from these disturbances, many are overgrown with seaweed (macroalgae), which are not as beneficial to our ecosystems.

The goal

Solving the mysteries of the underwater realm

Just how do coral and macroalgae (seaweed) interact in these reef environments? And what happens if degraded coral reef systems cannot recover, survive and reproduce because macroalgae have taken over? Many of these processes are not sufficiently understood. We supported Jenny from NUS to conduct this study. The research team’s goal is to investigate these questions through on-site dive trips and aquarium experiments to better understand the extent to which coral and macroalgae interact and propose a conservation plan to ensure we don’t lose what is left of our coral reefs.

Our role

Dive, discover and save our coral reefs

We supported the team’s field and research efforts by funding the acquisition of tools for the dives, aquarium experiments, as well as chemicals for extractions and further lab-based research.

The impact

A new way to measure coral reef health

The outcome of this research initiative will provide Singapore’s marine park managers, as well as other local conservationists interested in reef management with useful data on the frequency of coral-macroalgal interactions, as well as information on the abundance of chemically potent macroalgal species. The project will introduce a new way to measure coral reef health, to complement existing methods. Ultimately, this project will better help coral reef managers in Singapore to accurately identify reefs that are most likely to recover from these disturbances and from bleaching, so that a conservation plan can be put into action.