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Raitsos, DE, Brewin, RJW, Zhan, P, Dreano, D, Pradhan, Y, Nanninga, GB and Hoteit, I 2017 Sensing coral reef connectivity pathways from space. Scientific Reports, 7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-08729-w
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Raitsos et al_2017_SR.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract/Summary
Coral reefs rely on inter-habitat connectivity to maintain gene flow, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Coral reef communities of the Red Sea exhibit remarkable genetic homogeneity across most of the Arabian Peninsula coastline, with a genetic break towards the southern part of the basin. While previous studies have attributed these patterns to environmental heterogeneity, we hypothesize that they may also emerge as a result of dynamic circulation flow; yet, such linkages remain undemonstrated. Here, we integrate satellite-derived biophysical observations, particle dispersion model simulations, genetic population data and ship-borne in situ profiles to assess reef connectivity in the Red Sea. We simulated long-term (>20 yrs.) connectivity patterns driven by remotely-sensed sea surface height and evaluated results against estimates of genetic distance among populations of anemonefish, Amphiprion bicinctus, along the eastern Red Sea coastline. Predicted connectivity was remarkably consistent with genetic population data, demonstrating that circulation features (eddies, surface currents) formulate physical pathways for gene flow. The southern basin has lower physical connectivity than elsewhere, agreeing with known genetic structure of coral reef organisms. The central Red Sea provides key source regions, meriting conservation priority. Our analysis demonstrates a cost effective tool to estimate biophysical connectivity remotely, supporting coastal management in data limited regions.
| Item Type: | Publication - Article |
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| Subjects: | Conservation Earth Observation - Remote Sensing Ecology and Environment Oceanography |
| Divisions: | Plymouth Marine Laboratory > National Capability categories > National Centre for Earth Observation Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Earth Observation Science and Applications |
| Depositing User: | Dr Dionysios Raitsos |
| Date made live: | 29 Aug 2017 14:44 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Apr 2020 09:58 |
| URI: | https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/7501 |
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