Coastal nutrification in Brazil: A review of the role of nutrient excess on coral reef demise

Abstract Coral reefs worldwide have suffered extensive decline in density and diversity. Brazilian coral reefs were spared natural acute stresses that have had key influences on Caribbean and Indo-Pacific corals. Their demise is due mainly to human activities, especially nutrification. This study presents a review of the current state of knowledge of coastal nutrification in Brazil and its role in coral reef demise. Using examples from Bahia State, we describe how nutrient excess has driven a shift from coral to algal dominance of benthic production. Increases in chlorophyll concentration and abundance of filter feeders are also reported. The ecological significance of seasonality and submarine groundwater discharge is discussed, and the article concludes by examining the implications of nutrification for coastal resources management.