Linked Life Data

19327821

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/19327821

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4-5
pubmed:dateCreated
2009-5-13
pubmed:abstractText
Population outbreaks of crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci L.) remain one of the most significant biological disturbances on tropical coral reefs although the increasing attention given to other threats has greatly limited recent progress in understanding the cause and consequences of this phenomenon. In September 2005 dramatic increases in the abundance of A. planci were observed on reefs within Bootless Bay, Central Province, Papua New Guinea, where few crown-of-thorns have previously been reported. Densities of A. planci peaked at 162 sea stars per hectare and caused extensive coral mortality. This outbreak killed upwards of 55% of live corals, reducing overall coral cover from 42.4% in 2005 down to just 19.1% in March 2006. Declines in coral cover were largely driven by widespread mortality of Acropora spp. which dominated reef assemblages prior to the outbreak. The extensive depletion of Acropora spp. greatly altered the coral composition as well as the physical structure of reef habitats. In the absence of any other major disturbances these coral communities are likely to quickly recover, but this outbreak highlights the ongoing contribution of A. planci to degradation of coral reef environments.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
1879-0291
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
67
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
230-6
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Selective coral mortality associated with outbreaks of Acanthaster planci L. in Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea.
pubmed:affiliation
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia. morgan.pratchett@jcu.edu.au
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't