Biophysical Processes Involved in the Initiation and Spread of Population Irruptions of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on the Great Barrier Reef
Book Chapter ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Recent and recurrent population irruptions of the western Pacific crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) have had a major effect on the biological structure of coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and have greatly influenced research, monitoring, and management. Understanding and management of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) has improved during each of the four successive well-documented population irruptions that have occurred since the 1960s, which corresponds with increased data on the spatiotemporal incidence of population irruptions. Most critically, the purported location for the initiation of population irruptions is becoming increasingly resolved, and this has had a major bearing on the debate regarding causes of population irruptions. However, insufficient consideration has been given to the key biophysical processes that likely influence the initiation and spread of population irruptions. Most critically, more research is needed not only to understand the interaction among larval production, nutrient levels, and hydrodynamics, especially in the far northern GBR, but also to account for inter-annual variability in the strength and direction of water flow. Ongoing biological and ecological research and monitoring for CoTS will be greatly improved through increased collaboration with oceanographers and integrated monitoring of key biophysical processes.
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Publication Name
Oceanographic Processes of Coral Reefs: Physical and Biological Links in the Great Barrier Reef
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ISBN/ISSN
9781003320425
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Pages Count
16
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Publisher
CRC Press
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Publisher Location
Boca Raton, Florida, USA
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DOI
10.1201/9781003320425-23