The application of ecosystem thresholds in the management of tropical coral reefs: a review and synthesis

Abstract

A review and synthesis was carried out on the extensive literature concerned with ecosystem thresholds on tropical coral reefs to collate research carried out globally, and highlight gaps in the existing knowledge. This study aims to inform the future management of ecosystem thresholds of tropical coral reefs. Information was gathered from existing literature concerning ecosystem thresholds at named tropical coral reef locations and the distribution of studies was mapped in order to draw conclusions about the state of threshold research on coral reefs, and to make recommendations for future research and management. The synthesis highlighted the negative influence of removing herbivorous grazers, and the need for quantitative measures for the resilience of reefs to anthropogenic stress. It was also found that previous research sites predominantly focused on two main areas; The Great Barrier Reefs, and Caribbean reefs.