In situ measured seasonal variations in Fv/Fm of two common Red Sea corals

Gidon Winters*, Yossi Loya, Sven Beer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry has been suggested as a tool for estimating environmental stresses on corals. However, information regarding natural changes in maximal quantum yields (Fv/Fm) of corals during "normal" (i.e. non-bleaching) years has been limited. In this study, seasonal variations in Fv/Fm for Stylophora pistillata and Favia favus, measured in situ, correlated with seasonal changes in solar irradiance but not in sea temperature. Interactions between sea temperature and irradiance were further studied by growing these corals and Pocillopora damicornis under controlled conditions. Exposure to high light with normal or high temperatures resulted in lower Fv/Fm values than exposure to low light at both temperatures. Thus, high irradiances may cause decreased Fv/Fm values in corals at least as much as, if not more than, high temperatures. Such seasonal variations should be taken into account when using PAM fluorometry as a diagnostic tool for predicting coral bleaching.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)593-598
Number of pages6
JournalCoral Reefs
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2006

Funding

FundersFunder number
RuVord Foundation for Nature Conservation
PADI Foundation
Israel Science Foundation

    Keywords

    • Coral bleaching
    • Coral monitoring
    • Irradiance
    • Maximal quantum yield (F/F)
    • PAM fluorometry
    • Red Sea

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