production and inhibiting corals (Marubini and Davies,
1996). As a result, frondose macroalgae as a group are
generally recognized as harmful to the longevity of coral
reefs due to the linkage between excessive blooms and
coastal eutrophication.
Reef plant complexity has evolved along very different
evolutionary lines. The range of sizes, shapes, life histories, pigments, and biochemical and physiological
pathways is remarkable. The biodiversity of coral-reef
plant life is unequalled. Macroalgae from four evolutionary lines dominate and, in conjunction with coelenterate
corals, are the major primary producers and builders of
coral-reef habitats and carbonate architecture. Previously,
marine plants have been understudied on coral reefs.
However, their rapid growth and short generation time
make them ideal subjects for experimental studies.
Some are commercially valuable and/or preferred table
fare for many humans. Marine plants are essential to the
world’s biogeochemical cycles and serve as potentially
important sources of pharmaceuticals. The critical role
that seaweeds play in reef ecosystems overlaps with other
fields of marine sciences, such as fisheries resources,
marine chemistry, ecology, geology, and coral-reef
conservation.
Bibliography
Bellwood, D. R., Hughes, T. P., and Hoey, A. S., 2006. Sleeping
functional group drives coral reef recovery. Current Biology,
16, 2434–2439.
Birkeland, C., 1977. The importance of rate of biomass accumulation in early successional stages of benthic communities to the
survival of coral recruits. Proceedings of the Third International
Coral Reef Symposium, 1, 15–21.
Carpenter, R. C., 1986. Partitioning herbivory and its effects on
coral reef algal communities. Ecological Monographs, 56,
345–363.
ECOHAB., 1997. The ecology and oceanography of harmful algal
blooms – a national research agenda. In Anderson, D. M. (ed.),
Proceedings of the National Workshop, Massachusetts: WHOI,
pp. 1–66.
Hay, M. E., 1981. Herbivory, algal distribution, and the maintenance of between-habitat diversity on a tropical fringing reef.
The American Naturalist, 118, 520–540.
Herrero, A., and Flores, E. (eds), 2008. The Cyanobacteria: Molecular Biology, Genomics and Evolution (1st ed.). Norfolk, UK:
Caister Academic Press.
Lapointe, B. E., Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1997. Macroalgal
overgrowth of fringing coral reefs at Discovery Bay, Jamaica:
bottom-up versus top-down control. Proceedings of the Eighth
International Coral Reef Symposium, 1, 927–932.
Lewis, S. M., 1986. The role of herbivorous fishes in the organization of a Caribbean reef community. Ecological Monographs,
56, 183–200.
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1983. Heteromorphic life history
strategies in the brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria (Lyngb.).
Journal of Phycology, 19(4), 425–431.
Littler, M. M., Littler, D. S., and Taylor, P. R., 1983a. Evolutionary
strategies in a tropical barrier reef system: functional-form
groups of marine macroalgae. Journal of Phycology, 19,
229–237.
Littler, M. M., Taylor, P. R., and Littler, D. S., 1983b. Algal resistance to herbivory on a Caribbean barrier reef. Coral Reefs, 2,
111–118.
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1984. Models of tropical reef biogenesis: the contribution of algae. In Round, F. E., and Chapman,
D. J. (eds.), Progress in Phycological Research, Vol. 3, Bristol:
Biopress, pp. 323–364.
Littler, M. M., Littler, D. S., and Lapointe, B. E., 1993. Modification
of tropical reef community structure due to cultural eutrophication: the southwest coast of Martinique. Proceedings of the Seventh International Coral Reef Symposium, 1, 335–143.
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1994. Plant life of the deep ocean
realm. Biologie in Unserer Zeit, 24(6), 330–335 (In German).
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1999. Blade abandonment/proliferation: a novel mechanism for rapid epiphyte control in marine
macrophytes. Ecology, 80(5), 1736–1746.
Marubini, F., and Davies, P. S., 1996. Nitrate increases zooxanthellae population density and reduces skeletogenesis in corals.
Marine Biology, 127, 319–328.
McCook, L. J., 1999. Macroalgae, nutrients and phase shifts on
coral reefs: scientific issues and management consequences for
the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 18, 357–367.
McCook, L. J., Jompa, J., and Diaz-Pulido, G., 2001. Competition
between corals and algae on coral reefs: a review of evidence
and mechanisms. Coral Reefs, 19, 400–417.
Morrisson, D., 1988. Comparing fish and urchin grazing in shallow
and deeper coral reef algal communities. Ecology, 69, 1367–1382.
Nugues, M. M., Smith, G. W., van Hooidonk, R. J., Seabra, M. I.,
and Bak, R. P. M., 2004. Algal contact as a trigger for coral disease. Ecology Letters, 7, 919–923.
Ogden, J. C., and Lobel, P. S., 1978. The role of herbivorous fishes
and urchins in coral reef communities. Environmental Biology of
Fishes, 3, 49–63.
Partensky, F., Hess, W. R., and Vaulot, D., 1999. Prochlorococcus,
a marine photosynthetic prokaryote of global significance.
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 63, 106–127.
Paul, V. P., Arthur, K. E., Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., and
Sharp, K., 2007. Chemical defenses: from compounds to communities. Biological Bulletin, 213, 226–251.
Ruetzler, K., Santavy, D. L., and Antonius, A., 1983. The black
band disease of Atlantic reef corals, III: distribution, ecology,
and development. Marine Ecology, 4, 329–358.
Sammarco, P. W., 1983. Effects of fish grazing and damselfish territoriality on coral reef algae. I. Algal community structure.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 13, 1–14.
Sammarco, P. W., Levinton, J. S., and Ogden, J. C., 1974. Grazing
and control of coral reef community structure by Diadema
antillarum Phillipi (Echinodermata: Echinoidea): a preliminary
study. Journal of Marine Research, 32, 47–53.
Schaffelke, B., 1999. Particulate nutrients as a novel nutrient
source for tropical Sargassum species. Journal of Phycology,
35, 1150–1157.
Smith, J. E., Smith, C. M., and Hunter, C. L., 2001. An experimental
analysis of the effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on
benthic community dynamics on a Hawaiian reef. Coral Reefs,
19, 332–342.
Stephenson, W., and Searles, R. B., 1960. Experimental studies on
the ecology of intertidal environments at Heron Island. I. Exclusion of fish from beach rock. Australian Journal of Marine and
Freshwater Research, 2, 241–267.
Williams, S. L., 1984. Uptake of sediment ammonium and translocation in a marine green macroalga Caulerpa cupressoides.
Limnology and Oceanography, 29(2), 374–379.
Zhang, Y., and Golubic, S., 1987. Endolithic microfossils
(Cyanophyta) from early Proterozoic stromatolites, Hebei,
China. Acta Micropaleont Sinica, 4, 1–12.
ALGAE-MACRO
37
1996). As a result, frondose macroalgae as a group are
generally recognized as harmful to the longevity of coral
reefs due to the linkage between excessive blooms and
coastal eutrophication.
Reef plant complexity has evolved along very different
evolutionary lines. The range of sizes, shapes, life histories, pigments, and biochemical and physiological
pathways is remarkable. The biodiversity of coral-reef
plant life is unequalled. Macroalgae from four evolutionary lines dominate and, in conjunction with coelenterate
corals, are the major primary producers and builders of
coral-reef habitats and carbonate architecture. Previously,
marine plants have been understudied on coral reefs.
However, their rapid growth and short generation time
make them ideal subjects for experimental studies.
Some are commercially valuable and/or preferred table
fare for many humans. Marine plants are essential to the
world’s biogeochemical cycles and serve as potentially
important sources of pharmaceuticals. The critical role
that seaweeds play in reef ecosystems overlaps with other
fields of marine sciences, such as fisheries resources,
marine chemistry, ecology, geology, and coral-reef
conservation.
Bibliography
Bellwood, D. R., Hughes, T. P., and Hoey, A. S., 2006. Sleeping
functional group drives coral reef recovery. Current Biology,
16, 2434–2439.
Birkeland, C., 1977. The importance of rate of biomass accumulation in early successional stages of benthic communities to the
survival of coral recruits. Proceedings of the Third International
Coral Reef Symposium, 1, 15–21.
Carpenter, R. C., 1986. Partitioning herbivory and its effects on
coral reef algal communities. Ecological Monographs, 56,
345–363.
ECOHAB., 1997. The ecology and oceanography of harmful algal
blooms – a national research agenda. In Anderson, D. M. (ed.),
Proceedings of the National Workshop, Massachusetts: WHOI,
pp. 1–66.
Hay, M. E., 1981. Herbivory, algal distribution, and the maintenance of between-habitat diversity on a tropical fringing reef.
The American Naturalist, 118, 520–540.
Herrero, A., and Flores, E. (eds), 2008. The Cyanobacteria: Molecular Biology, Genomics and Evolution (1st ed.). Norfolk, UK:
Caister Academic Press.
Lapointe, B. E., Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1997. Macroalgal
overgrowth of fringing coral reefs at Discovery Bay, Jamaica:
bottom-up versus top-down control. Proceedings of the Eighth
International Coral Reef Symposium, 1, 927–932.
Lewis, S. M., 1986. The role of herbivorous fishes in the organization of a Caribbean reef community. Ecological Monographs,
56, 183–200.
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1983. Heteromorphic life history
strategies in the brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria (Lyngb.).
Journal of Phycology, 19(4), 425–431.
Littler, M. M., Littler, D. S., and Taylor, P. R., 1983a. Evolutionary
strategies in a tropical barrier reef system: functional-form
groups of marine macroalgae. Journal of Phycology, 19,
229–237.
Littler, M. M., Taylor, P. R., and Littler, D. S., 1983b. Algal resistance to herbivory on a Caribbean barrier reef. Coral Reefs, 2,
111–118.
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1984. Models of tropical reef biogenesis: the contribution of algae. In Round, F. E., and Chapman,
D. J. (eds.), Progress in Phycological Research, Vol. 3, Bristol:
Biopress, pp. 323–364.
Littler, M. M., Littler, D. S., and Lapointe, B. E., 1993. Modification
of tropical reef community structure due to cultural eutrophication: the southwest coast of Martinique. Proceedings of the Seventh International Coral Reef Symposium, 1, 335–143.
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1994. Plant life of the deep ocean
realm. Biologie in Unserer Zeit, 24(6), 330–335 (In German).
Littler, M. M., and Littler, D. S., 1999. Blade abandonment/proliferation: a novel mechanism for rapid epiphyte control in marine
macrophytes. Ecology, 80(5), 1736–1746.
Marubini, F., and Davies, P. S., 1996. Nitrate increases zooxanthellae population density and reduces skeletogenesis in corals.
Marine Biology, 127, 319–328.
McCook, L. J., 1999. Macroalgae, nutrients and phase shifts on
coral reefs: scientific issues and management consequences for
the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 18, 357–367.
McCook, L. J., Jompa, J., and Diaz-Pulido, G., 2001. Competition
between corals and algae on coral reefs: a review of evidence
and mechanisms. Coral Reefs, 19, 400–417.
Morrisson, D., 1988. Comparing fish and urchin grazing in shallow
and deeper coral reef algal communities. Ecology, 69, 1367–1382.
Nugues, M. M., Smith, G. W., van Hooidonk, R. J., Seabra, M. I.,
and Bak, R. P. M., 2004. Algal contact as a trigger for coral disease. Ecology Letters, 7, 919–923.
Ogden, J. C., and Lobel, P. S., 1978. The role of herbivorous fishes
and urchins in coral reef communities. Environmental Biology of
Fishes, 3, 49–63.
Partensky, F., Hess, W. R., and Vaulot, D., 1999. Prochlorococcus,
a marine photosynthetic prokaryote of global significance.
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 63, 106–127.
Paul, V. P., Arthur, K. E., Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., and
Sharp, K., 2007. Chemical defenses: from compounds to communities. Biological Bulletin, 213, 226–251.
Ruetzler, K., Santavy, D. L., and Antonius, A., 1983. The black
band disease of Atlantic reef corals, III: distribution, ecology,
and development. Marine Ecology, 4, 329–358.
Sammarco, P. W., 1983. Effects of fish grazing and damselfish territoriality on coral reef algae. I. Algal community structure.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 13, 1–14.
Sammarco, P. W., Levinton, J. S., and Ogden, J. C., 1974. Grazing
and control of coral reef community structure by Diadema
antillarum Phillipi (Echinodermata: Echinoidea): a preliminary
study. Journal of Marine Research, 32, 47–53.
Schaffelke, B., 1999. Particulate nutrients as a novel nutrient
source for tropical Sargassum species. Journal of Phycology,
35, 1150–1157.
Smith, J. E., Smith, C. M., and Hunter, C. L., 2001. An experimental
analysis of the effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on
benthic community dynamics on a Hawaiian reef. Coral Reefs,
19, 332–342.
Stephenson, W., and Searles, R. B., 1960. Experimental studies on
the ecology of intertidal environments at Heron Island. I. Exclusion of fish from beach rock. Australian Journal of Marine and
Freshwater Research, 2, 241–267.
Williams, S. L., 1984. Uptake of sediment ammonium and translocation in a marine green macroalga Caulerpa cupressoides.
Limnology and Oceanography, 29(2), 374–379.
Zhang, Y., and Golubic, S., 1987. Endolithic microfossils
(Cyanophyta) from early Proterozoic stromatolites, Hebei,
China. Acta Micropaleont Sinica, 4, 1–12.
ALGAE-MACRO
37