title: Global microbialization of coral reefs.
abstract: Microbialization refers to the observed shift in ecosystem trophic structure towards higher microbial biomass and energy use. On coral reefs, the proximal causes of microbialization are overfishing and eutrophication, both of which facilitate enhanced growth of fleshy algae, conferring a competitive advantage over calcifying corals and coralline algae. The proposed mechanism for this competitive advantage is the DDAM positive feedback loop (dissolved organic carbon (DOC), disease, algae, microorganism), where DOC released by ungrazed fleshy algae supports copiotrophic, potentially pathogenic bacterial communities, ultimately harming corals and maintaining algal competitive dominance. Using an unprecedented data set of >400 samples from 60 coral reef sites, we show that the central DDAM predictions are consistent across three ocean basins. Reef algal cover is positively correlated with lower concentrations of DOC and higher microbial abundances. On turf and fleshy macroalgal-rich reefs, higher relative abundances of copiotrophic microbial taxa were identified. These microbial communities shift their metabolic potential for carbohydrate degradation from the more energy efficient Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway on coral-dominated reefs to the less efficient Entner-Doudoroff and pentose phosphate pathways on algal-dominated reefs. This 'yield-to-power' switch by microorganism directly threatens reefs via increased hypoxia and greater CO2 release from the microbial respiration of DOC.
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Andreas F
authors: AF
authors: Haas
authors: Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, Tangalle, Sri Lanka.
authors: Mohamed F M
authors: MF
authors: Fairoz
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Linda W
authors: LW
authors: Kelly
authors: Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hawaii 96822, USA.
authors: Craig E
authors: 0000-0003-2525-3496
authors: CE
authors: Nelson
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Dinsdale
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Edwards
authors: Big Rose Web Design, 8550 Greenway Blvd, LLC, Madison, Wisconsin 53562, USA.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Giles
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Hatay
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Nao
authors: N
authors: Hisakawa
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Ben
authors: B
authors: Knowles
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Yan Wei
authors: YW
authors: Lim
authors: Ronin Institute, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, USA.
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Maughan
authors: Global Change Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Pantos
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Ty N F
authors: TN
authors: Roach
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Savannah E
authors: SE
authors: Sanchez
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Cynthia B
authors: CB
authors: Silveira
authors: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
authors: Stuart
authors: S
authors: Sandin
authors: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
authors: Jennifer E
authors: JE
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
authors: Forest
authors: F
authors: Rohwer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D018533:Biomass; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D057486:Carbon Cycle; D057894:Coral Reefs; D005068:Eutrophication; D006019:Glycolysis; D010427:Pentose Phosphate Pathway; D012624:Seaweed / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon