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Abstract：
Ecosystem functions underpin productivity and key services to humans, such as food provision. However, as the severity of environmental stressors intensifies, it is becoming increasingly unclear if, and to what extent, critical functions and services can be sustained. This issue is epitomised on coral reefs, an ecosystem at the forefront of environmental transitions. We provide a functional profile of a coral reef ecosystem, linking time-series data to quantified processes. The data reveal a prolonged collapse of ecosystem functions in this previously resilient system. The results suggest that sediment accumulation in algal turfs has led to a decline in resource yields to herbivorous fishes and a decrease in fish-based ecosystem functions, including a collapse of both fish biomass and productivity. Unfortunately, at present, algal turf sediment accumulation is rarely monitored nor managed in coral reef systems. Our examination of functions through time highlights the value of directly assessing functions, their potential vulnerability, and the capacity of algal turf sediments to overwhelm productive high-diversity coral reef ecosystems.
摘要：
生态系统功能支撑生产力和对人类的关键服务，比如食物供应。然而,随着环境压力的加剧，越来越不清楚的是，在多大程度上，关键功能和服务可以持续。这个问题集中体现在珊瑚礁上，处于环境转型前沿的生态系统。我们提供了珊瑚礁生态系统的功能概况，将时间序列数据与量化过程联系起来。数据显示，在这个先前具有弹性的系统中，生态系统功能长期崩溃。结果表明，藻类草皮中的沉积物积累导致草食性鱼类资源产量下降，鱼类生态系统功能下降，包括鱼类生物量和生产力的崩溃。不幸的是,目前,在珊瑚礁系统中，很少监测或管理藻类草皮沉积物的积累。我们通过时间对功能的检查突出了直接评估功能的价值，他们潜在的脆弱性，以及藻类草皮沉积物淹没生产性高多样性珊瑚礁生态系统的能力。
