Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems

Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems A lifeboat for coral reefs?

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Foreword Summary and recommendations

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1. Introduction 1.1. Coral reefs in peril 1.2. Mesophotic coral ecosystems — refuge for shallow-water coral ecosystems? 2.What are mesophotic coral ecosystems? 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Light reaching the mesophotic zone 2.3. Geomorphology of mesophotic coral ecosystems 2.4. Differences between shallow-water and mesophotic coral ecosystems

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3. Mesophotic coral ecosystems examined 3.1. Introduction 3.2. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia 3.3. Pulley Ridge, Gulf of Mexico, USA 3.4. The United States Virgin Islands, USA 3.5. Eilat, Red Sea, Israel

3.6. Spotlight on Palau Island group 3.7. Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia 3.8. Hawaiian Archipelago, USA 3.9. Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan 3.10. La Parguera, Puerto Rico, USA

4. Biodiversity of mesophotic coral ecosystems 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Macroalgae 4.3. Sponges 4.4. Scleractinian corals 4.5. Symbionts 4.6. Fish

5. Ecosystem services provided by mesophotic coral ecosystems 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Essential habitat

5.3. Recovery source for shallow populations 5.4. Tourists exploring the mesophotic zone 5.5. A potential source of novel products

6. Threats tomesophotic coral ecosystems andmanagement options 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Fisheries 6.3. Climate change 6.4. Sedimentation and pollution

6.5. Marine aquarium trade 6.6. Precious coral fishery 6.7. Invasive species 6.8. Management options

7. Understandingmesophotic coral ecosystems: knowledge gaps for management 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Where are mesophotic coral ecosystems located? 7.3. What controls where mesophotic coral ecosystems are found?

7.4. What ecological role do mesophotic coral ecosystems play and what organisims are found in them? 7.5. What are the impacts of natural and anthropogenic threats on mesophotic coral ecosystems ? 7.6. Are mesophotic coral ecosystems connected to shallower coral reef ecosystems and can they serve as refuges for impacted shallow reef species?

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References Acknowledgements

MESOPHOTIC CORAL ECOSYSTEMS – A LIFEBOAT FOR CORAL REEFS? 3