Coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand are highly under-investigated regarding responses to anthropogenic
stressors. Thus, this study simulated overfishing and eutrophication using herbivore exclosure cages
and slow-release fertilizer to study the in-situ effects on benthic algae and invertebrate settlement in a
coral reef of Koh Phangan, Thailand. Settlement of organisms and the development of organic matter
on light-exposed and shaded tiles were quantified weekly/biweekly over a study period of 12 weeks. Simulated
eutrophication did not significantly influence response parameters, while simulated overfishing
positively affected dry mass, turf algae height and fleshy macroalgae occurrence on light-exposed tiles.
On shaded tiles, settlement of crustose coralline algae decreased, while abundances of ascidians
increased compared to controls. An interactive effect of both stressors was not observed. These results
hint to herbivory as actual key controlling factor on the benthic community, and fleshy macroalgae
together with ascidians as potential bioindicators for local overfishing.
Coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand are highly under-investigated regarding responses to anthropogenicstressors. Thus, this study simulated overfishing and eutrophication using herbivore exclosure cagesand slow-release fertilizer to study the in-situ effects on benthic algae and invertebrate settlement in acoral reef of Koh Phangan, Thailand. Settlement of organisms and the development of organic matteron light-exposed and shaded tiles were quantified weekly/biweekly over a study period of 12 weeks. Simulatedeutrophication did not significantly influence response parameters, while simulated overfishingpositively affected dry mass, turf algae height and fleshy macroalgae occurrence on light-exposed tiles.On shaded tiles, settlement of crustose coralline algae decreased, while abundances of ascidiansincreased compared to controls. An interactive effect of both stressors was not observed. These resultshint to herbivory as actual key controlling factor on the benthic community, and fleshy macroalgaetogether with ascidians as potential bioindicators for local overfishing.
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