Brazilian Coral Reefs: A Multidisciplinary Approach (Brazilian Marine Biodiversity)

The Brazilian coral reefs form structures significantly different from the well-known reef models, as follows: they have a growth form of mushroom-shaped coral pinnacles called "chapeirões"; they are built by a low diversity coral fauna rich in endemic species, with most of them relic forms dating back to the Miocene; and the nearshore bank reefs are surrounded by siliciclastic sediments. The reefs are distributed into four major sectors along the Brazilian coast: the northern, the northeastern, and the eastern regions, and the oceanic islands, but certain isolated coral species can be found in warmer waters in the embayment of the southern region. There are different types of bank reefs, fringing reefs, isolated "chapeirões" and an atoll present along the Brazilian coast. Corals, milleporids, and coralline algae build the rigid frame of the reefs. The areas in which the major coral reefs occur correspond to regions in which nearby urban centers are experiencing accelerated growth, and tourism development is rapidly increasing. The major human effects on the reef ecosystem are mostly associated with the increased sedimentation due to the removal of the Atlantic rainforest and the disposal of industrial and urban effluents. Fishing resources are seriously declining due to pollution and overfishing, and this reduction impacts artisanal fishers, who are impoverished and face food security risks. The effects of warming oceanic waters that have been affecting several reef areas with high-intensity coral bleaching did not show until the 2010 event, episodes of coral mass mortality in Brazilian reefs. However, since 2016, bleaching has increased, as has the mortality of milleporids. There are opportunities to develop purposeful biotechnologies that can support coral reef restoration and conservation. Reciprocally, preserved coral reef ecosystems containing peculiar genetic resources allow biotechnological opportunities to provide products and processes for economically and ecologically prosperous societies. Preface Reference Acknowledgements Contents Contributors About the Editors Chapter 1: Morphology and Distribution of Reefs and Carbonate Buildups in the Southwestern South Atlantic 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Environmental Settings 1.2.1 The Continental Shelf Morphology and Sedimentary Facies 1.2.2 The Climatic and Oceanographic Settings 1.3 Reef Morphology 1.3.1 Cemented Terraces 1.3.2 Fringing Reefs and Bank Reefs Attached to the Coast 1.3.3 Patch Reefs and Coral Knolls 1.3.4 Bank Reefs 1.3.5 Pinnacle Reefs (“Chapeirão”) 1.3.6 Shelf Edge Reefs 1.3.7 Atoll 1.4 Reefs in the Brazilian Ecoregions 1.4.1 The North Brazil Shelf Province 1.4.2 The Tropical Southwestern Atlantic Province 1.4.3 The Warm Temperate South America Province 1.5 Final Remarks References Chapter 2: History of Research About the Tropical Brazilian Coral Reef Systems 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Time Span of Reviewed Articles 2.2.1 The New World of the Foreign Visitors 2.2.2 The Presence of the Brazilian Researchers—The Evolution of Publications 2.3 Spatial Distribution of Studied Reefs 2.4 Final Remarks References Chapter 3: Origins, Biogeography and Macroecology of the Southwestern Atlantic Reef Biodiversity 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Historical Biogeography of the Reef Biodiversity in the Atlantic Ocean 3.3 Biogeographic Barriers and the Origin of Southwestern Atlantic Endemics 3.4 Composition and Distribution of Fishes and Corals 3.5 Macroecological Patterns of Reef Fish Biodiversity 3.6 Final Remarks: Conservation of Brazilian Reef Biodiversity References Chapter 4: Biology of Brazilian Benthic Reef Builders and Dwellers 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Scleractinian Corals and Milleporids 4.2.1 General Biology, Morphology and Functional Role 4.2.2 The Symbiotic Relationship 4.2.3 Reproduction 4.2.4 Adaptations to Local Environmental Conditions 4.2.5 Physiological Responses to Stressors 4.2.6 General Aspects of Other Reef Cnidarians 4.3 Other Reef-Building Organisms 4.3.1 Crustose Coralline Algae 4.3.2 Bryozoans 4.3.3 Vermetids 4.4 Echinoderms 4.4.1 General Biology, Morphology and Reproduction 4.4.2 Functional Role 4.5 Sponges 4.5.1 General Biology, Morphology and Reproduction 4.5.2 Functional Role 4.6 Other Invertebrates 4.6.1 Polychaetes 4.6.2 Mollusks 4.6.3 Crustaceans 4.6.4 Ascidians 4.7 Final Remaks: Perspective and Knowledge Gaps References Chapter 5: Herbivory and Competition for Space 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Herbivory in Brazilian Coral Reefs 5.2.1 Brazilian Algae-Eaters: A Diversity-Poor but Endemic-Rich System 5.2.2 Herbivores Functional Roles in Brazil 5.3 Competition for Space 5.3.1 Brazilian Corals and Their Struggle for Space 5.3.2 Who Competes for Space in Brazilian Coral Reefs? 5.3.3 Competition Between Native Species 5.3.4 The Interaction with Invasive Species 5.4 Final Remarks: Impacts and Perspectives References Chapter 6: The Big Dwellers and Their Interactions 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Sharks and Rays 6.3 Actinopterygian Fish 6.4 Sea Turtles 6.5 Marine Mammals 6.6 Final Remarks References Chapter 7: Genetic and Demographic Connectivity in Brazilian Reef Environments 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Gene Flow Between Reefs—Connectivity in the Evolutionary Timescale 7.3 Biophysical Context of Demographic Connectivity in the Tropical South Atlantic 7.4 Reefs and Their Neighbors—Connectivity at the Scale of Individuals 7.4.1 Ecological Connectivity 7.4.2 Main Coastal Habitats 7.4.3 Types of Migrations in Brazilian Seascapes 7.4.3.1 Within-Habitat Movements 7.4.3.2 Between-Habitat Movements: Fishes and Other Animals 7.5 Connectivity in the Conservation Context: The Missing Parts in the Puzzle 7.6 Final Remarks: The Way Forward References Chapter 8: Food for Us 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Reefs and Connected Ecosystems: Most Caught Species’ Life Cycles 8.2.1 Fisheries in Brazilian Coastal Reefs 8.3 Contemporary Humans’ Impacts: Food security and Consumption 8.3.1 (Un)Sustainable Fishing 8.4 Reef Fishes: Social Stratification and Food Consumption 8.4.1 Nutritional Value of Reef Fishing Resources 8.5 Fishing Management 8.5.1 Territoriality 8.6 Final Remarks References Chapter 9: Biotechnology and Reef Environment 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Milestones in Marine Biotechnology Development in Brazil 9.3 Biotechnological Innovation from Coral Reefs 9.3.1 Marine Pharmaceuticals 9.3.2 Cosmetics and Personal Care 9.3.3 Antifouling Compounds 9.4 Bioprospecting Using an Eco-Evolutionary Framework 9.5 Final Remarks References Chapter 10: Climate Change and Local Impacts Threaten Brazilian Coral Reefs 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Climate Change Impacts 10.2.1 Global Warming and Heatwaves 10.2.2 Ocean Acidification 10.2.3 Sea Level Rise (SLR) 10.3 Local and Regional Impacts on the Brazilian Coast 10.3.1 Urban, Touristic, and Industrial Development 10.3.2 Nutrient Inputs 10.3.3 Disasters Caused by Human Action 10.3.4 Marine Debris 10.3.5 Fisheries 10.3.6 Invasive Species 10.4 Conclusions and Final Remarks References Chapter 11: Tourism, Environmental Education, and Aquarium Trade 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Tourism 11.2.1 Impacts of Tourist Activities on Brazilian Reefs 11.3 Environmental Education 11.3.1 Coral Vivo Project 11.3.2 Environmental Education Projects in Brazilian Reef Areas 11.4 Aquarium Trade 11.5 Final Remarks References Chapter 12: Conservation and Management of Reef Ecosystems 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Establishment of Marine Protected Areas 12.3 Conservation Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas 12.4 Conservation Priorities for Future MPAs 12.5 The Role of Monitoring Programs 12.6 Technological Strategies for Coral Reef Restoration 12.7 Final Remaks: Future Challenges References Index