Microbial indicators of environmental perturbations in coral reef ecosystems

2019227 citationsJournal Articlegold Open Access

Authors

Bettina Glasl · Australian Institute of Marine Science

David G. Bourne · Australian Institute of Marine Science

Pedro R. Frade · University of Algarve

Torsten Thomas · UNSW Sydney

Britta Schaffelke · Australian Institute of Marine Science

Nicole S. Webster · Australian Institute of Marine Science

Abstract

Our results reveal that free-living microbial communities have a high potential to infer environmental parameters due to their environmental sensitivity and predictability. This highlights the diagnostic value of microorganisms and illustrates how long-term coral reef monitoring initiatives could be enhanced by incorporating assessments of microbial communities in seawater. We therefore recommend timely integration of microbial sampling into current coral reef monitoring initiatives.

Topics & Keywords

Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology Aquaculture disease management and microbiota

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life below water

Publication Details

Published in: Microbiome

Volume 7, Issue 1, pp. 94-94

DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0705-7

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 18.84