[Coral-List] Dendrogyra

Thu Jun 3 15:04:11 UTC 2021

Dear dedicated ocean and coral reef champions. These are complicated and
emotional discussions where we face realities none of us want to embrace.
But there is another scenario we haven’t discussed much. Looking back on
past extinction events and in contemporary ecosystem collapse, the speed of
change is such an important factor. Given enough time, as labs such as Ruth
Gates’ and many others have investigated, it is certainly a possibility
that some corals may adapt. Reefs will certainly not look the same, and
many will no doubt perish. But some may survive in a different state.
Perhaps a phase shift of sorts.

We are studying the ecology and the genetics of an unusual coral in the
pacific that seems to be doing just that. It has seemed to find an
ecological opportunity in these changing climatic regimes. It overtakes
other corals, and creates, for a time anyway, a mono specific reef. But
reef indeed. And large ones.

This coral, in some places, is certainly not dominant, it is in places
where others suffer that it seems to find its competitive opportunity.

So while this is not what we all necessarily want for coral reefs, I
suggest that some attention be paid (as I know it is, but not much in these
dialogues) to these species that may be able to survive in climate refugia
while adapting, and possibly being able to find a way to re emerge. Maybe
not. But maybe.

In solidarity for reefs
Nicole

On Thu, Jun 3, 2021 at 7:02 AM Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal via Coral-List
<coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:

> I didn't say anything about giving up.  I'm suggesting that some places may
> have to face a near-term reality that none of us would wish on anyone.
> Failure of ecosystem services.  It doesn't help them in the short term if
> we overlook that possibility.  While long-term solutions are obviously
> needed soon, I'm suggesting we also need to prepare for significant changes
> on much shorter time frames.
>
> On Wed, Jun 2, 2021 at 1:06 PM Steve Mussman via Coral-List <
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>
> >
> > . . . “I think it would help to consider a world where failure actually
> IS
> > an option”.
> >
> > I’m still trying to wrap my head around this concept.
> >
> > How can we possibly continue to envision or even maintain any hope for
> > implementing the changes needed to save coral reefs from the continued
> > downward spiral if coral scientists have given up and moved on to
> “instead
> > recognize that with impending disaster comes opportunity, whether
> financial
> > or otherwise”.
> >
> > So, what does this say about the prospects of “saving” what remains of
> the
> > world’s coral reefs?
> >
> > Oh, right, that’s where recognizing opportunity comes into play.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > On 5/31/21, 12:46 PM, Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal via Coral-List <
> > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
> >
> > Bill,
> >
> > We each have opinions and concerns about political will and the
> likelihood
> >
> > of seeing changes on the scale needed to save reefs from continued loss.
> >
> > But while people valiantly try to turn things around using existing
> >
> > socio-political approaches, I think it would help to consider a world
> where
> >
> > failure actually IS an option.
> >
> > Let's objectively imagine a collective future when people and economies
> >
> > that now depend on reefs have none. The science community knows the
> >
> > resource and ecosystem service consequences, and I think we would agree
> >
> > that it is our role to make sure those are clearly communicated - as you
> >
> > say, "speak with one voice." But to make progress with those whose work
> >
> > has changed the world during past crises, including corporations,
> >
> > philanthropists, and yes, politicians, we need to resist ascribing blame
> >
> > (that's not directed at your message, which did not do that). Few are
> >
> > motivated by being blamed. Problem-solvers - even those that may have
> some
> >
> > culpability - instead recognize that with impending disaster comes
> >
> > opportunity, whether financial or otherwise. I believe our priority as
> >
> > scientists should be to empower them with awareness, constructive
> >
> > information, and advice.
> >
> > As reefs disappear, new food production, distribution, and financing
> >
> > systems will be needed to support the importation of protein,
> construction
> >
> > of coastal and offshore aquaculture facilities and artificial reefs, and
> >
> > perhaps expansion and diversification of terrestrial agriculture. New
> >
> > infrastructure will be needed to deal with nuisance flooding,
> >
> > increased coastal erosion, transportation safety, utilities, energy
> >
> > production, and disaster response. And training will have to be supported
> >
> > and promoted to prepare people with new skills that synchronize with the
> >
> > transition. We need corporate and government leaders and philanthropists
> >
> > to recognize that these needs are not only opportunities that could
> bolster
> >
> > tourism-based economies, but alternatively, could support the transition
> >
> > away from them. Effective diversification planning could accomplish both.
> >
> > Few coral reef scientists work directly in these areas, but we know how
> we
> >
> > got here and how ecosystems might respond to many of the changes. So,
> >
> > while none of us prefer a future without coral reefs, and while we
> continue
> >
> > to fight for other solutions, we have a responsibility to consider our
> role
> >
> > if we fail to protect or restore coral reefs.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > On Mon, May 31, 2021 at 9:17 AM William Precht via Coral-List <
> >
> > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
> >
> > > To be blunt - my point was while we are bickering about whether
> >
> > > *Dendrogyra* was
> >
> > > or not it was an important reef builder and the importance of losing
> >
> > > individual species even if they were always rare - we are missing the
> >
> > > bigger picture. In the last four decades we have watched reef after
> reef
> >
> > > go up in flames. Some due to local causes but most to to
> >
> > > overarching regional and global issues associated with global climate
> >
> > > change. *Dendrogyra cylindrus* is nothing more than a bellwether
> species
> >
> > > that is giving us a glimpse of the future. .Dendrogyra is a
> >
> > > beautiful iconic species and seeing a giant colony on a dive is awe
> >
> > > inspiring. I remember making a dive in the Florida Keys to a site known
> > as
> >
> > > the "Pillar Forest." There were over 200 columns at this one site! They
> >
> > > are now ALL gone - dead from a variety of causes - but the main and
> final
> >
> > > blow was from SCTLD.
> >
> > >
> >
> > > People have been talking about reefs as being like "canaries in a coal
> >
> > > mine" - well that canary has a very bad case of COPD and it's getting
> > worse
> >
> > > day by day. This week the average CO2 concentration at the Mauna Loa
> >
> > > Observatory was 419.02 ppm. In 2009 Veron et al. wrote a manuscript of
> > the
> >
> > > need to maintain CO2 concentrations below 350 ppm for the future
> survival
> >
> > > of coral reef ecosystems. That number came from a quote by Dr.
> >
> > > James Hansen during testimony to the US Congress where he stated “If
> >
> > > humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which
> > civilization
> >
> > > developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence
> > and
> >
> > > ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced … to at
> >
> > > most 350 ppm.” The math is pretty simple - we are going in the wrong
> >
> > > direction. We all know what we must do - the question is do we have the
> >
> > > political will to make the changes necessary. My note was a call to the
> >
> > > 10,000 people that are as passionate as coral reefs as I am that
> exchange
> >
> > > ideas on this Coral-List serve. It's time to speak with one voice. We
> > need
> >
> > > to be heard. We can make a difference. The alternative - failing (which
> > we
> >
> > > are doing quite admirably) - is not an option.
> >
> > >
> >
> > > WFP
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Veron, J.E., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Lenton, T.M., Lough, J.M., Obura,
> D.O.,
> >
> > > Pearce-Kelly, P.A.U.L., Sheppard, C.R., Spalding, M., Stafford-Smith,
> > M.G.
> >
> > > and Rogers, A.D., 2009. The coral reef crisis: The critical importance
> > of<
> >
> > > 350 ppm CO2. *Marine pollution bulletin*, *58*(10), pp.1428-1436.
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 9:38 AM Dennis Hubbard > >
> >
> > > wrote:
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > Bill makes excellent points, but we always return to the same
> issue....
> >
> > > is
> >
> > > > the loss of "species X "the problem to be addressed or just the
> > symptom.
> >
> > > > Yes, this is a unique species, and saving it is a worthwhile endeavor
> > for
> >
> > > > this and many other reasons. Having agreed, I remain concerned that
> >
> > > success
> >
> > > > on this front will lead some to be satisfied.
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > Denny
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > On Fri, May 28, 2021 at 12:36 PM William Precht via Coral-List <
> >
> > > > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >> The manuscript that started this thread on the coral- list was an
> >
> > > >> excellent, open-access manuscript by Neely et al. Rapid Population
> >
> > > >> Decline of the Pillar Coral Dendrogyra cylindrus Along the Florida
> > Reef
> >
> > > >> Tract
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Front. Mar. Sci. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.656515
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> It should be read by all There are two main punch lines. The first
> is
> >
> > > >> that this species has been rendered functionally extinct
> (extirpated)
> >
> > > >> throughout Florida. The second is that the main cause was stony
> coral
> >
> > > >> tissue loss disease (SCTLD). This species is highly susceptible to
> > this
> >
> > > >> emergent disease as are the three other genera in its family - the
> >
> > > >> Meandrinidae. All species in this family and are highly susceptible
> to
> >
> > > >> SCTLD. On many reefs where the disease has run it course you can’t
> >
> > > find a
> >
> > > >> single member of this family. No Meandrina, no Dendrogyra, no
> >
> > > >> Dichocoenia,
> >
> > > >> no Eusmilia. So the story goes much further than just pillar coral.
> We
> >
> > > >> may be looking at the loss of an entire coral family in a short
> > window -
> >
> > > >> and this coral family is only extant in the Caribbean.
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> If this doesn’t serve as a wake-up call I don’t know what will.
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Clearly losing more than 50% of the corals on the GBR due to mass
> >
> > > >> bleaching
> >
> > > >> events in 2015-2016 did not cause a sea change in policy - not in
> >
> > > >> Australia
> >
> > > >> - not globally. For most it’s been business as usual.
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> I’m getting sick and tired of writing and reading coral obituaries.
> In
> >
> > > my
> >
> > > >> 40+ years of studying coral reefs I have watched my three favorite
> > reefs
> >
> > > >> burn before my very eyes and the reefs that lie at the door step of
> >
> > > where
> >
> > > >> I
> >
> > > >> live are suffering the same fate.
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> The coral-list has a voice of 10,000 people that love coral reefs -
> >
> > > let’s
> >
> > > >> use that voice to make a difference. Time really is running out.
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Bill
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 9:38 PM Peter Sale via Coral-List <
> >
> > > >> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> > Hi listers,
> >
> > > >> > I've been following the comments re the essential extirpation of
> >
> > > >> > Dendrogyra in Florida waters. The fact that this is not a major
> reef
> >
> > > >> > builder (Gene is correct) is beside the point from my perspective.
> >
> > > >> Here is
> >
> > > >> > a monotypic species that looks like it may be on the way out
> >
> > > throughout
> >
> > > >> its
> >
> > > >> > range, and certainly in a large portion of it. (I'm being
> > pessimistic
> >
> > > >> but
> >
> > > >> > perhaps realistic in predicting total extinction.) The
> biodiversity
> >
> > > >> loss
> >
> > > >> > is great. This is a coral (and I am definitely NOT a coral expert)
> >
> > > >> that is
> >
> > > >> > phenotypically quite distinctive. It has one of, if not the most
> >
> > > >> > well-connected nerve nets leading to a conspicuous flash when all
> > the
> >
> > > >> > polyps retract in unison following a disturbance. God only knows
> > what
> >
> > > >> > other special skills it has tucked amongst its tentacles. From an
> >
> > > >> > evolutionary point of view, its loss is a greater loss than the
> loss
> >
> > > of
> >
> > > >> > many other coral species. My fear is that we are going to have to
> >
> > > >> become
> >
> > > >> > used to such losses. Let's a) strive not to let the losses becom
> >
> > > >> > e un-noticed and routine, and b) use such losses to highlight, and
> >
> > > make
> >
> > > >> > 'personal', what it means for a reef to gradually lose its species
> > and
> >
> > > >> > cease to be a reef. Getting people to relate to what is happening,
> > to
> >
> > > >> > actually feel what is happening, may be the only way to rescue
> >
> > > humanity
> >
> > > >> > from turning the planet into a wasteland, starting with the reefs.
> >
> > > >> >
> >
> > > >> > Peter Sale
> >
> > > >> > www.petersalebooks.com
> >
> > > >> > @PeterSale3
> >
> > > >> >
> >
> > > >> > See my latest book at
> >
> > > >> >
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > >
> >
> https://www.amazon.com/Coral-Reefs-Majestic-Realms-under/dp/0300253834/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=coral+reefs+peter+sale&qid=1622149307&sr=8-1
> >
> > > >> >
> >
> > > >> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > > >> > Coral-List mailing list
> >
> > > >> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> >
> > > >> > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
> > > >> >
> >
> > > >> --
> >
> > > >> William F. Precht
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only
> >
> > > choice
> >
> > > >> you have”
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Bob Marley
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> "Courage is not having the str
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/not+having+the+str?entry=gmail&source=g>ength
> to go on; it is going on when you
> >
> > > >> don't
> >
> > > >> have the strength."
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Theodore Roosevelt
> >
> > > >> _______________________________________________
> >
> > > >> Coral-List mailing list
> >
> > > >> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> >
> > > >> https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > --
> >
> > > > Dennis Hubbard - Emeritus Professor: Dept of Geology-Oberlin College
> >
> > > > Oberlin OH 44074
> >
> > > > (440) 935-4014
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > * "When you get on the wrong train.... every stop is the wrong stop"*
> >
> > > > Benjamin Stein: "*Ludes, A Ballad of the Drug and the Dream*"
> >
> > > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > --
> >
> > > William F. Precht
> >
> > >
> >
> > > “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only
> choice
> >
> > > you have”
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Bob Marley
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > "Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you
> > don't
> >
> > > have the strength."
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Theodore Roosevelt
> >
> > > _______________________________________________
> >
> > > Coral-List mailing list
> >
> > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> >
> > > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
> > --
> >
> > Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator
> >
> > NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
> >
> > 1305 East West Hwy., N/ORM62
> >
> > Silver Spring, MD 20910
> >
> > (240) 533-0708 (w), (301) 529-1854 (c1), (301) 821-0857 (c2)
> >
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> >
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> >
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> >
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
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> >
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> >
> > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
>
>
> --
> Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator
> NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
> 1305 East West Hwy., N/ORM62
> Silver Spring, MD  20910
> (240) 533-0708 (w), (301) 529-1854 (c1), (301) 821-0857 (c2)
>
>
>
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-- 
Nicole L. Crane
Faculty, Cabrillo College
Natural and Applied Sciences
www.cabrillo.edu/~ncrane

Senior Conservation Scientist, Project co-lead
One People One Reef
onepeopleonereef.org