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Changes in coral assemblages during an outbreak of Acanthaster planci at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef (1995–1999)

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Abstract

Population outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci L.) represent one of the most significant biological disturbances on tropical coral reefs and have the potential to devastate coral communities, thereby altering the biological and physical structure of reef habitats. This study reports on changes in area cover, species diversity and taxonomic composition of corals during an outbreak of A. planci at Lizard Island, in the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Mean coral cover declined by 28.8% across ten locations studied. However, densities of A. planci, and their effects on local coral assemblages, were very patchy. Declines in coral cover were mostly due to the selective removal of certain coral taxa (mainly Acropora and Pocilloporidae corals); such that the greatest coral loss occurred at locations with highest initial cover of preferred coral prey. Most notably, coral assemblages in back-reef locations were transformed from topographically complex staghorn Acropora-dominated habitats, to relatively depauperate assemblages dominated by alcyonacean soft corals. Although coral loss was greatest among formerly dominant taxa (especially Acropora), effects were sufficiently widespread across different coral taxa, such that overall coral diversity tended to decline. Clearly, moderate outbreaks of A. planci have the potential to greatly alter community structure of coral communities even if they do not devastate live corals. Recovery in this instance is expected to be very rapid given that all coral taxa persisted, and effects were greatest among fast growing corals.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this project was provided by the Australian Coral Reef Society, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and James Cook University. Sampling and data analyses were assisted by A.H. Baird, J.V. Eagle, R. Thomas, D. Pratchett, J.M. Pratchett, S.L.S. Watson, and S.K. Wilson, and staff at Lizard Island Research Station provided substantial logistical support. Comments by H.P.A. Sweatman greatly improved the current manuscript.

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  1. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    M. S. Pratchett

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  1. M. S. Pratchett
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Correspondence to M. S. Pratchett.

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Communicated by Dr. Andrew Baird

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Pratchett, M.S. Changes in coral assemblages during an outbreak of Acanthaster planci at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef (1995–1999). Coral Reefs 29, 717–725 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0602-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0602-9

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