A new study published in Microbiome has found that ocean acidification is altering the microbial communities in coral reef systems, providing a potential method for assessing ecosystem health. The research, led by Imperial College London scientists, suggests that changes in microbial communities can serve as an early indicator of ecosystem stress and provide valuable insights into the impact of human activities on coral reefs. By examining the interactions between microbes and larger organisms, researchers hope to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how ecosystems are responding to environmental stressors.
The study focused on coral reefs located near natural carbon dioxide vents in Papua New Guinea, which offer a unique opportunity to study the effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems. Using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) to collect samples of organisms and sediments from areas with varying levels of CO2, researchers conducted genetic sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis to identify the microbes and metabolites present in each sample. They found that as ocean acidification increased, the microbial communities associated with reef macro-organisms became more similar to those found in sediment, indicating a decline in ‘holobiont community distinctness’.
These findings suggest that microbial communities hosted by macro-organisms could be used as a sensitive indicator of ecosystem stress, highlighting the importance of taking an ecosystem-based approach to understanding the impacts of human activities on coral reefs. The researchers are now expanding their study to include over 80 reef sites around the world that are subject to varying levels of human pressure, in order to further validate the utility of microbial community analysis as a tool for monitoring ecosystem health. Lead author Jake Williams emphasized the need for general and robust metrics to monitor ecosystem stress, and suggested that understanding the relationships between microbes and chemicals could provide valuable insights across different ecosystems.
Lead researcher Dr. Emma Ransome emphasized the importance of a holistic approach in evaluating and predicting the impacts of environmental stress on coral reefs. Microbes play a crucial role in supporting ecosystem functions, but are often overlooked in traditional assessments of ecosystem health. By incorporating microbial community analysis into monitoring strategies, researchers hope to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions that shape the health of coral reef ecosystems. The study findings suggest that a focus on microbial communities could provide a valuable tool for predicting and managing the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for coral reefs and other vulnerable ecosystems.
