October 17, 2014
Provided by Jo Bowler, University of Exeter
New research led by the University of Exeter has found that species that live in and erode coral reefs will play a major role in determining the future of reefs.
The research, which is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, highlights the delicate balance that exists between bioerosion and carbonate production on coral reefs.
Coral eroders, termed bioeroders, include species of sea urchins, sponges, parrotfish and microorganisms, known as microendoliths. Erosion occurs as a result of feeding and during the creation of living spaces and is a natural process on all coral reefs.
Professor Chris Perry from Geography at the University of Exeter said: “Our study shows that the future health and growth potential of coral reefs is of course in part dependent on rates of coral carbonate production, but that it is equally dependent, on the species that live in and on them, and which act to erode carbonate.
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