The recognition that all macroorganisms live in symbiotic association with microbial
communities has opened up a new field in biology. Animals, plants, and algae are now …

Ocean warming has severe impacts on coral reef ecosystems with frequent incidences of
coral bleaching. In addition, eutrophication poses an increasing threat to coral reef …

Sponges are the oldest known extant animal-microbe symbiosis. These ubiquitous benthic
animals play an important role in marine ecosystems in the cycling of dissolved organic …

Over the past decades numerous studies have reported declines in stony corals and, in
many cases, phase shifts to fleshy macroalgae. However, long-term studies documenting …

Shallow warm-water and deep-sea cold-water corals engineer the coral reef framework and
fertilize reef communities by releasing coral mucus, a source of reef dissolved organic matter …

Bioerosion of calcium carbonate is the natural counterpart of biogenic calcification. Both are
affected by ocean acidification (OA). We summarize definitions and concepts in bioerosion …

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in the functioning and stability of coral reef
ecosystems. However, environmental disturbances can trigger alterations to the natural …

Corals and macroalgae release large quantities of dissolved organic matter (DOM), one of
the largest sources of organic matter produced on coral reefs. By rapidly taking up DOM and …

With the decline of reef-building corals on tropical reefs, sponges have emerged as an
important component of changing coral reef ecosystems. Seemingly simple, sponges are …

Coral reefs are iconic examples of biological hotspots, highly appreciated because of their
ecosystem services. Yet, they are threatened by human impact and climate change …