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A report for Israel Nature and Parks Authority:
Marine Connectivity in the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat
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Citations
... These biological features lead to a considerable number of planulae that settle near their maternal colonies within the source site and restrict the actual dispersal into a short geographical range, further supporting the significant genetic differences recorded between the sites studied over a short coastline of about 12 km long, and enhanced inbreeding. While modeling larval connectivity and their dispersal in the northern Gulf of Eilat, Berenshtein et al. [56] concluded that the majority of larval supply is within closely situated sites, allowing only a limited flow from north to south trajectory. Berenshtein et al. [56] showed that the movement of planulae was greatly reduced over 20 km of distance, further suggesting the existence of physical barriers that isolate distant sites, a notion further supported by an additional model for coral larvae dispersal [57]. ...
... While modeling larval connectivity and their dispersal in the northern Gulf of Eilat, Berenshtein et al. [56] concluded that the majority of larval supply is within closely situated sites, allowing only a limited flow from north to south trajectory. Berenshtein et al. [56] showed that the movement of planulae was greatly reduced over 20 km of distance, further suggesting the existence of physical barriers that isolate distant sites, a notion further supported by an additional model for coral larvae dispersal [57]. This model further predicts connections between the two sides of the gulf (not studied here) and the possible contributions of reef sites located further to the south [56]. ...
... Berenshtein et al. [56] showed that the movement of planulae was greatly reduced over 20 km of distance, further suggesting the existence of physical barriers that isolate distant sites, a notion further supported by an additional model for coral larvae dispersal [57]. This model further predicts connections between the two sides of the gulf (not studied here) and the possible contributions of reef sites located further to the south [56]. ...
The successful management of coral reefs necessitates understanding the genetic characteristics of reefs' populations since levels of genetic diversity play a critical role in their resilience, enabling them to withstand environmental changes with greater efficacy. To assess the genetic diversity and connectivity of the widespread Indo-Pacific coral, Stylophora pistillata, eight microsatellite loci were employed on 380 tissue samples collected from eight sites along the northern Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea. We documented deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and observed low heterozygosity and high values of expected heterozygosity (0.59 and 0.82, respectively). The relatively high F ST values and STRUCTURE analysis results showed population fragmentation along the short coastline (<12 km). These results signify isolation by distance, low gene flow between most populations, and possible non-random mating. These results are connected to this species' sexual reproduction traits, a brooding coral species with planulae that settle shortly upon release with limited connectivity that are most probably further exacerbated by anthropogenic impacts imposed on Eilat's reefs. This study provides insights into the connectivity and population genetics of S. pistillata residing in an urbanized northern Red Sea reef and reinforces the need for better management of the current MPA, employing future active coral reef restoration in the area.
... Differences in abundance of species could also be due to the flow and larval dispersal of the Red Sea, which flows in the direction of the North Pole (south to north) (Fine et al., 2013). The natural circulation of currents in the GoE/A flow in a north to south direction (Biton and Gildor, 2011), however the latest connectivity model suggests that the extent of coral larvae 'source' and 'sink' is on the spectrum of 9-13 km (Berenshtein, 2018). Larval recruitment can also be greatly affected by hydrodynamics, whereas larval settlement can be related to surface rugosity and complexity as micro-niches offer protection for cryptic organisms (Walters and Wethey, 1996). ...
Quantifying coral reef biodiversity is challenging for cryptofauna and organisms in early life stages. We demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding as a tool for comprehensively evaluating invertebrate communities on complex 3D structures for reef reformation, and the role these structures play in provisioning habitat for organisms. 3D design and printing were used to create 18 complex tiles, which were used to create artificial reef structures. eDNA was collected from scraping tile surfaces for organismal biomass and from seawater samples around the artificial reefs in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, Red Sea. Metabarcoding targeted the mitochondrial COI gene with specific primers for marine biodiversity. We provide the first eDNA biodiversity baseline for the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, capturing extensive information on species abundance, richness, and diversity. Tile tops had higher phylogenetic diversity and richness, despite a higher abundance of organisms on tile bottoms, highlighting the detection of cryptic organisms with eDNA. We recommend eDNA metabarcoding for reef restoration initiatives, especially for complex marine structures, to improve success and evaluation of biodiversity.
... They are, therefore, particularly exposed to the impact of the surrounding urban environment (Ayalon et al., 2019;Loya, 1972Loya, , 2004Loya et al., 2004;Shlesinger & Loya, 2019). The General Circulation Model in the Gulf of Aqaba points on north to south current while a later model claim that coral larvae connectivity between "source" and "sink" in the Gulf can range between 9 ± 13 km (Berenshtein, 2018). Extrapolating to a global scale, the impacts of chronic exposure to sensory pollutants will likely further decrease the resilience of coral reefs but are not considered in current projections of the future of coastal coral reefs. ...
Coral reefs are in global decline due to climate change and anthropogenic influences (Hughes et al., 2013). Near coastal cities or other densely populated areas, coral reefs face a range of additional challenges. While considerable progress has been made in understanding coral responses to acute individual stressors (Dominoni et al., 2020), the impacts of chronic exposure to varying combinations of sensory pollutants are largely unknown. To investigate the impacts of urban proximity on corals, we conducted a year‐long in‐natura study ‐ incorporating sampling at diel, monthly, and seasonal time points – in which we compared corals from an Urban area to corals from a proximal Non‐Urban area. Here we reveal that despite appearing relatively healthy, natural biorhythms and environmental sensory systems were extensively disturbed in corals from the Urban environment. Transcriptomic data indicated poor symbiont performance, disturbance to gametogenic cycles, and loss or shifted seasonality of vital biological processes. Altered seasonality patterns were also observed in the microbiomes of the Urban coral population, signifying the impact of urbanization on the holobiont, rather than the coral host alone. These results should raise alarm regarding the largely unknown long‐term impacts of sensory pollution on the resilience and survival of coral reefs close to coastal communities
... Mesophotic reefs, herein defined as suspected biogenic carbonate structures with topographic relief at mesophotic depths, are uniquely positioned in the GoA to function as prevailing regional coral habitats . This stems from the thriving health of associated coral at deep depths and high latitude , potential vertical connectivity (Berenshtein et al., 2016), and residence in a region where corals have a high thermal tolerance potentially from past natural selection through a thermal barrier (see Fine et al., 2013). Extending no further than 2 km from shore, the potential spatial extent of northern GoA mesophotic reefs compared to shallower counterparts is almost double . ...
Antecedent topography such as relic reef terraces as well as biogenic carbonate relief-forming deposits ~30–150 m deep, referred to as mesophotic reefs, provide structural support for diverse mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) that may serve as coral refuges for select light-dependent species. Although terraces at mesophotic depths are found globally, an understanding of their spatial distribution, formation, and relationship with living community composition and lithology is generally lacking. Herein, 2 × 2 m resolution bathymetry from the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) was examined to define geomorphology features spanning mesophotic depths and compare geomorphology relationships to overlying benthic and lithologic cover. Analysis led to the production of a new map categorizing 12 geomorphology features, including upper mesophotic terraces harboring thriving MCEs. Additionally, a large collection of still imagery (1726 pictures) was obtained at 94 sites and used to define eight unique habitats at mesophotic depths and lithological and biological distribution patterns over vertical and horizontal scales. Study area benthic and lithologic cover was found to be significantly different between geomorphology features and related to GoA geomorphology as well as to seafloor depth and slope, and light attenuation. While these relationships indicated modern cover could not provide a model for producing most underlying geomorphology in the study area, results provided data needed to enhance understanding of geomorphology feature formation history and reef accretion at mesophotic depths. Study results also detailed benthic cover and geomorphology features critical for better identifying and mapping unknown MCE habitats, and for recognizing mesophotic reef spatial relationships and biodiversity patterns in the GoA. These results are especially important considering most northern GoA reefs act as potential refuges, but local anthropogenic development continually stresses shallow GoA reefs and most other shallow coral reefs around the globe continue to degrade.
... Fluctuation in recruited species is likewise important for the coexistence of species as explained by the lottery model and storage effects (Warner and Chesson 1985). Reduction in connectivity between 'source' and 'sink' reefs and their synchronization also results in diminishing coral recruitment (number of specimen and species), these however are unlikely along the reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat (Berenshtein 2018). Recruitment patterns may also be impacted by stochastic events, such major storms (like the storm on March 2020 that heavily impacted the shallow reefs); thus, our 4-yr study must be viewed on the background of these occurring fluctuations. ...
The status of coral reefs is often portrayed by parameters (e.g., coverage, bleaching, diseases, nutrients and rugosity) assigned to adult populations. Yet, coral recruitment is essential for sustaining coral populations, especially in the aftermath of major disturbances. Studying earliest coral recruitment at species level can reveal declines in the recovery potential and resilience of coral populations and communities, even if adult abundance and coral cover is sustained. Rates of coral recruitment were quantified once a month for 4 yrs from tiles and stones (Eilat, Red Sea), revealing a dramatic discrepancy in coral species recruited (n = 15) compared to adult-species currently on site (n = 55), with 1–2 dominant species accounting for ≥ 80% of recruits. The low rates and limited diversity of settling corals recorded in this study appear unlikely to sustain contemporary coral assemblages, so unless there are marked changes in the settlement dynamics, we would expect to see inevitable declines in the abundance and diversity of reef corals at these locations.
