Tropical coral reefs exhibit high variability in coral metabolism, driven by complex interactions among physical, chemical, and biological processes. Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of coral metabolism and their drivers is critical, as such variability may underpin corals’ adaptive capacity to withstand a warming and acidifying ocean. Here, we use a coupled hydrodynamic–biogeochemical–physiological model to investigate spatial and diel variations in coral metabolic processes (photosynthesis, respiration, and calcification) across Moorea’s north shore reef system under three prevailing wave regimes. We find that photosynthesis varies little across the reef, whereas respiration and calcification show pronounced spatial heterogeneity. These spatial patterns closely mirror the ones in seawater carbonate chemistry and depend strongly on wave-driven flow. Hydrodynamics regulate diffusive exchanges between coral tissues and surrounding seawater, and eventually generate distinct internal chemical environments (in the coelenteron and calcifying fluid) across the reef. Landward reef regions exhibit the greatest spatial and diel variability in coral metabolism. Low-wave, slow-flow conditions amplify metabolic fluctuations throughout the reef, but more strongly in the landward regions. Overall, our results highlight how interactions among transport processes, carbonate chemistry, and coral physiology produce strong day-night fluctuations and spatially heterogeneous but structured metabolic patterns across the reef, which vary systematically with wave conditions.
Dişa D., Münnich M., Vogt M. & Gruber N., in press. Hydrodynamic control of coral metabolism: a coupled modeling approach linking flow, physiology, and reef-scale biogeochemistry. Coral Reefs. Article.
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