Effects of territoriah herbivorous damselfish in the resilience of coral reers under global warming

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06814
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 45040:Ecology and environment-related
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: HATA Hiroki 愛媛大学, 理工学研究科(理学系), 教授 (00510512)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: サンゴ礁 / 生物多様性 / 地球温暖化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to clarify the contribution of herbivorous damselfish to the restoration ability of coral communities. By tracking coral communities inside and outside the territorial of herbivorous damselfishes, it was found that within their territory, coral communities with high species diversity and coverage were established, with a large number of Acropora and Pocillopora corals growing. During the survey period, a mass coral bleaching event occurred, and especially Acropora corals showed a high mortality rate. However, within the territory of the damselfish, the coverage of Acropora corals was recovered, and it was shown that they contribute to the resilience of coral reefs. In other words, it was demonstrated that herbivorous damselfish with territories can create a new foundation for coral settlement after coral bleaching, and improve the resilience of coral communities.

Free Research Field

生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、地球温暖化による海水温上昇が引き起こすサンゴ礁の大規模撹乱下でスズメダイのなわばりがサンゴ群集の初期再生に果たす役割を明らかにすることを目的とした。研究結果からは、スズメダイのなわばり内が白化による被害を受けやすいサンゴ種の回復の場として機能している可能性が示唆された。この知見は学術的にも重要であり、また、近年世界中で確認されているサンゴ白化問題や日本のサンゴ礁の保全にも大きな意義がある。今後はさらなる追跡調査が必要であり、持続可能なサンゴ礁の保護や管理計画の策定に向けた貴重な情報を提供することが期待される。