Low Bioerosion Rates on Inshore Turbid Reefs of Western Australia

Bioerosion on inshore reefs is expected to increase with global climate change reducing reef stability and accretionary potential. Most studies investigating bioerosion have focused external grazers, such as parrotfish urchins, whose biomass more easily measured. Yet, cryptic endolithic bioeroders macroboring (worms, sponges bivalves) microboring taxa (fungus algae) the potential be dominant source of erosion, especially among systems exposed increased nutrient supply. We measured rates bioeroder functional groups (microborers, macroborers, grazers), their response environmental parameters (temperature, light, turbidity, chlorophyll a), well habitat variables (coral cover, turfing algae, macroalgae) across two turbid north Western Australia. Total were low (0.163 ± 0.012 kg m?2 year?1) likely due light levels. Macroborers positively correlated algae highlighting role turf-grazing fish rates. Overall suggest that despite reduced coral cover carbonate production, these may still maintain positive accretion rates, at least under current conditions. However, an improved understanding relationships between drivers, grazing pressure bioeroding communities needed improve predictions loss future change.