title: Can biological invasions save Caribbean coral reefs?
abstract: It is widely accepted that coral reefs are in decline globally, due to climate change as well as more direct human impacts such as poor water quality and overharvesting [1-3]. Biological invasions are also seen as a major threat [4-6]; however, they may not all be negative. An invasion of Red Sea rabbitfishes is disrupting Mediterranean ecosystems by removing macro-algae - meanwhile, in contrast, the Caribbean is suffering from excess macro-algal growth. We suggest that an invasion of the Caribbean by rabbitfishes may prove beneficial, and that the future of Caribbean coral reefs may depend upon a rabbitfish invasion.
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. Electronic address: david.bellwood@jcu.edu.au.
authors.forename: David Roy
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bellwood
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher Harry
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Robert Goatley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017691:Caribbean Region; D057231:Climate Change; D057894:Coral Reefs; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D058865:Introduced Species; D010473:Perciformes / Q000502:physiology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012624:Seaweed / Q000254:growth & development*; D060753:Water Quality