Seabirds and native vegetation drive ecosystem processes that support atoll island resilience
Science Advances, vol. 12, pp. eaei1145
Abstract
Ecosystem restoration is expected to enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change, but few empirical and mechanistic demonstrations of such assertions exist. Here, we explore this topic for tropical atoll systems, combining science on nutrient subsidies and geo-ecological functions through a unifying ecological energetics lens. We show that native forest cover and seabird nutrient inputs increase primary productivity and secondary metabolism on islands and adjacent coral reefs, scaling with key ecosystem processes. We then demonstrate that seabird and native forest restoration could contribute to reducing island climate change vulnerability by (i) increasing reef accretion rates such that they keep pace with sea-level rise under a 2.0°C warming scenario, (ii) enhancing the production rate of sediment, which could contribute to island maintenance, and (iii) increasing vegetation fine root length, aiding island sediment stabilization. Collectively, our findings provide an integrated energetics and geo-ecological perspective that suggests rewilding of atolls can contribute to climate resilience.
Authors 25
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Nicholas A. J. Graham corresponding
Affiliation as printed
Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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The Nature Conservancy · Ocean Conservancy · The Nature Conservancy · Lancaster University
Affiliation as printed
California Oceans Program, The Nature Conservancy, CA, USA
Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Geography, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Geography, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Affiliation as printed
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Affiliation as printed
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Heriot-Watt University · Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive · Lancaster University
Affiliation as printed
Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
The Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center · University of Auckland
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Affiliation as printed
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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University of Reunion Island · University of Seychelles
Affiliation as printed
Blue Economy Research Institute, University of Seychelles, Anse Royale, Mahé, Seychelles
UMR ENTROPIE, Université de La Réunion, La Réunion, France
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Affiliation as printed
Geography, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research
Affiliation as printed
Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, Bremen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Chagos Conservation Trust, London, UK
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Tetiaroa Society · University of French Polynesia
Affiliation as printed
Tetiaroa Society, Teti’aroa, French Polynesia
University of French Polynesia, IFREMER, ILM, IRD, UMR SECOPOL, Campus d'Outumaoro, Punaauia, Tahiti, French Polynesia
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University of French Polynesia
Affiliation as printed
IRD, ILM, IFREMER, UPF, UMR SECOPOL, Campus d'Outumaoro, Punaauia, Tahiti, French Polynesia
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Affiliation as printed
Frégate Island Foundation, Roche Caiman, Mahé, Seychelles
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Affiliation as printed
Frégate Island Foundation, Roche Caiman, Mahé, Seychelles
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University of French Polynesia
Affiliation as printed
Fenua Ecologie, 98702 Faaa Centre, Tahiti, French Polynesia
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Affiliation as printed
Cousine Island Conservation, Cousine Island, Seychelles
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Affiliation as printed
Cousine Island Conservation, Cousine Island, Seychelles
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Affiliation as printed
Island Conservation Society, Pointe Larue, Mahé, Seychelles
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Affiliation as printed
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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