Seascape configuration determines spatial patterns of seabird-vectored
nutrient enrichment to coral reefs
Abstract
Pelagic-feeding seabirds deliver nutrient subsidies that enhance the
productivity, biodiversity, and resilience of terrestrial and marine
ecosystems, particularly in nutrient-poor tropical environments.
However, the biogeophysical variables governing the fluxes of these
nutrients within and among interconnected ecosystems remain poorly
understood. To address this, we examined the spatial distribution of
seabird-vectored nutrients in the seascape of Tetiaroa, a semi-enclosed
coral atoll in French Polynesia, where seabird populations and
associated nutrient cycles are recovering after recent rat eradication.
We focus on the nitrogen isotope (δ15N) signatures of
a dominant marine alga as evidence of seabird-vectored nutrient uptake.
Integrating stable isotope analysis within a seascape ecology framework,
we show that breeding seabird biomass, depth, distance to land,
geographic location within the atoll, and seafloor curvature drive
spatial patterns of nutrient enrichment. Specifically, our models
account for up to 88% of the variation in algal δ15N
signatures and reveal peak enrichment in shallow, nearshore areas where
water flow slows and converges due to localised seafloor curvature.
These results extend previous research by highlighting seafloor
geomorphology, notably curvature, as a modulator of fine-scale nutrient
delivery patterns. Although a complex model incorporating 11
high-resolution biogeophysical variables enhanced spatial predictions by
revealing fine-scale variations, a simpler model using only 5 of these
variables was comparably effective in capturing overall spatial trends.
This study identifies the key seascape configuration and complexity
characteristics likely to affect the spatial patterns of recovery
potential following the restoration of seabird-driven nutrient cycles,
offering valuable guidance for ongoing restoration efforts in this
coupled island-reef system. Future investigations could assess how the
effects of biogeophysical variables on nutrient delivery vary in
magnitude and direction across different geographic, geological, and
anthropogenic contexts.