TY - JOUR

T1 - Local conditions modulated the effects of marine heatwaves on coral bleaching in subtropical Hong Kong waters

AU - Chung, Tzu Hao

AU - Dellisanti, Walter

AU - Lai, Keng Po

AU - Wu, Jiajun

AU - Qiu, Jian Wen

AU - Chan, Leo Lai

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - A mass coral bleaching event occurred in the summer of 2022 in subtropical Hong Kong, driven by two marine heatwaves (MHWs) with high intensities of 1.56 and 0.86 °C above a mean climate condition, both MHWs 7 days with a short gap of 4 days during the strong La Niña year. A transect survey was conducted at nine study sites in three regions, which revealed widespread coral bleaching with bleached coral cover ranging from 2.4 to 70.3%. In situ environmental data revealed the presence of a thermocline and halocline. Local conditions, including depth and wave exposure, significantly influenced the bleaching response. Shallow-water (2–4 m) corals were primarily affected, particularly in sheltered and moderately sheltered sites that exhibited higher levels of bleached coral cover (42.97 ± 15.4% and 44.93 ± 29.4%, respectively) compared to the exposed sites (31.8 ± 5.2%). Bleaching in deep waters (4–6 m) was minimal, with only a few colonies of Goniopora at two of the three sheltered sites exhibiting bleaching (1.7 ± 1.5%). Heat stress resistance differed between coral genera. Recovery rate for four common coral genera is low for Acropora tumida. Additionally, a minor hypoxia event was found to cause mortality of non-coral benthos at a sheltered site (Sharp Island). These findings highlight the alarming impact of extreme heatwaves on subtropical coral communities and underscore the importance of monitoring coral bleaching.

AB - A mass coral bleaching event occurred in the summer of 2022 in subtropical Hong Kong, driven by two marine heatwaves (MHWs) with high intensities of 1.56 and 0.86 °C above a mean climate condition, both MHWs 7 days with a short gap of 4 days during the strong La Niña year. A transect survey was conducted at nine study sites in three regions, which revealed widespread coral bleaching with bleached coral cover ranging from 2.4 to 70.3%. In situ environmental data revealed the presence of a thermocline and halocline. Local conditions, including depth and wave exposure, significantly influenced the bleaching response. Shallow-water (2–4 m) corals were primarily affected, particularly in sheltered and moderately sheltered sites that exhibited higher levels of bleached coral cover (42.97 ± 15.4% and 44.93 ± 29.4%, respectively) compared to the exposed sites (31.8 ± 5.2%). Bleaching in deep waters (4–6 m) was minimal, with only a few colonies of Goniopora at two of the three sheltered sites exhibiting bleaching (1.7 ± 1.5%). Heat stress resistance differed between coral genera. Recovery rate for four common coral genera is low for Acropora tumida. Additionally, a minor hypoxia event was found to cause mortality of non-coral benthos at a sheltered site (Sharp Island). These findings highlight the alarming impact of extreme heatwaves on subtropical coral communities and underscore the importance of monitoring coral bleaching.

KW - Coral bleaching

KW - Halocline

KW - Hong Kong

KW - Marine heatwave

KW - Thermocline

KW - Wave exposure

U2 - 10.1007/s00338-024-02533-5

DO - 10.1007/s00338-024-02533-5

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85199756062

JO - Coral Reefs

JF - Coral Reefs

SN - 0722-4028

ER -