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Increasing benthic dominance of the phototrophic sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea on a sedimented reef within the Coral Triangle

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Abstract

Coral abundance on tropical reefs is declining due to climatic change and other direct anthropogenic impacts. The long-term consequences of coral ‘regime-shifts’ are not fully understood, but they are expected to impact ecosystem services (e.g., ecotourism and fisheries). Within the Wakatobi region of Indonesia a coral-to-sponge regime-shift has occurred on a sedimented reef (Sampela). The dominant sponge species, Lamellodysidea herbacea, is a phototrophic sponge that appears to be proliferating through effective sediment clearance mechanisms and rapid photoacclimation to turbid conditions. L. herbacea monitoring is required to determine whether this ecosystem is still transitioning, stable or whether the regime-shift is transient. This study (2013–2015) assessed the percentage cover and abundance of L. herbacea, along with the quantity of settled sediment, at Sampela, Pak Kasim’s (a nearby reef) and multiple reefs in the region. High growth rates for individual L. herbacea, but low recruitment rates were recorded at Sampela. Increases in the proportion of L. herbacea that decreased in areal coverage between sampling periods indicate short periods of positive growth, with this effect being greater in deeper, more sedimented zones. The percentage cover and abundance of L. herbacea, and the quantity of settled sediment, was low at all surrounding reefs and remained stable at Pak Kasim’s. However, the percentage cover of L. herbacea at Sampela was high and increased, in conjunction with a stable, comparatively high quantity of settled sediment. These results are the first to document a reef in the process of transitioning towards greater sponge dominance and indicate that efforts to reverse this regime-shift would likely require a reduced level of sedimentation.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by a Victoria University of Wellington doctoral scholarship awarded to Andrew Biggerstaff. A research permit for this research was issued to Prof David Smith in collaboration with Prof Jamal Jompa by the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology (RISTEK). We also thank Operation Wallacea for providing funding for travel and accommodation associated with the data collection and the staff and volunteers of Hoga Island Marine Research Station.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    A. Biggerstaff & J. J. Bell

  2. Research and Development Centre on Marine, Coastal and Small Islands, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

    J. Jompa

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  1. A. Biggerstaff
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Correspondence to A. Biggerstaff.

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No funding from outside institutions, foundations or companies was received for this study other than has been mentioned in the “Acknowledgements”.

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Andrew Biggerstaff declares that he has no conflict of interest. James John Bell declares that he has no conflict of interest. Jamal Jompa declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Biggerstaff, A., Jompa, J. & Bell, J.J. Increasing benthic dominance of the phototrophic sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea on a sedimented reef within the Coral Triangle. Mar Biol 164, 220 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3253-3

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