Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems
The increased frequency of publications concerning trophic ecology of coral reefs suggests a degree of interest in the role species and functional groups play in energy flow within these systems. Coral reef ecosystems are particularly complex, however, and assignment of trophic positions requires pr...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00024/full |
| _version_ | 1818878953390080000 |
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| author | Stacy L. Bierwagen Stacy L. Bierwagen Michelle R. Heupel Andrew Chin Andrew Chin Colin A. Simpfendorfer |
| author_facet | Stacy L. Bierwagen Stacy L. Bierwagen Michelle R. Heupel Andrew Chin Andrew Chin Colin A. Simpfendorfer |
| author_sort | Stacy L. Bierwagen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increased frequency of publications concerning trophic ecology of coral reefs suggests a degree of interest in the role species and functional groups play in energy flow within these systems. Coral reef ecosystems are particularly complex, however, and assignment of trophic positions requires precise knowledge of mechanisms driving food webs and population dynamics. Competent analytical tools and empirical analysis are integral to defining ecosystem processes and avoiding misinterpretation of results. Here we examine the contribution of trophodynamics to informing ecological roles and understanding of coral reef ecology. Applied trophic studies of coral reefs were used to identify recent trends in methodology and analysis. Although research is increasing, clear definitions and scaling of studies is lacking. Trophodynamic studies will require more precise spatial and temporal data collection and analysis using multiple methods to fully explore the complex interactions within coral reef ecosystems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:22:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-08c1c7d99bab4eb198053eb7a611c609 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:22:22Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-08c1c7d99bab4eb198053eb7a611c6092022-12-21T20:17:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452018-02-01510.3389/fmars.2018.00024255894Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef EcosystemsStacy L. Bierwagen0Stacy L. Bierwagen1Michelle R. Heupel2Andrew Chin3Andrew Chin4Colin A. Simpfendorfer5Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, AustraliaAIMS@JCU, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, AustraliaAustralian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, AustraliaCentre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, AustraliaAustralian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, AustraliaCentre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, AustraliaThe increased frequency of publications concerning trophic ecology of coral reefs suggests a degree of interest in the role species and functional groups play in energy flow within these systems. Coral reef ecosystems are particularly complex, however, and assignment of trophic positions requires precise knowledge of mechanisms driving food webs and population dynamics. Competent analytical tools and empirical analysis are integral to defining ecosystem processes and avoiding misinterpretation of results. Here we examine the contribution of trophodynamics to informing ecological roles and understanding of coral reef ecology. Applied trophic studies of coral reefs were used to identify recent trends in methodology and analysis. Although research is increasing, clear definitions and scaling of studies is lacking. Trophodynamic studies will require more precise spatial and temporal data collection and analysis using multiple methods to fully explore the complex interactions within coral reef ecosystems.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00024/fulltrophodynamicscoral reefsecological rolestrophic ecologyfood webs |
| spellingShingle | Stacy L. Bierwagen Stacy L. Bierwagen Michelle R. Heupel Andrew Chin Andrew Chin Colin A. Simpfendorfer Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems Frontiers in Marine Science trophodynamics coral reefs ecological roles trophic ecology food webs |
| title | Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems |
| title_full | Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems |
| title_fullStr | Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems |
| title_short | Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems |
| title_sort | trophodynamics as a tool for understanding coral reef ecosystems |
| topic | trophodynamics coral reefs ecological roles trophic ecology food webs |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00024/full |
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