The structural complexity of coral reefs creates a vibrant underwater city populated by a diverse assortment of characters.
The structural complexity of coral reefs creates a vibrant underwater city populated by a diverse assortment of characters. Ironically, this same complexity can impede coral recovery after disturbances.
Researchers working at reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia found that the network of dead coral skeletons left in place by bleaching events caused critical processes to break down, ultimately preventing reefs from recovering. The complex landscape protects seaweed from herbivores, enabling it to quickly colonize the reef and outgrow young coral. The results appear in the journal Global Change Biology.
Dynamic ecosystems
Coral reefs are busy ecosystems undergoing constant change. Every now and again, a larger disturbance will rock the reef, like a storm, an influx of coral predators, or a bleaching event. While all of these can deal a blow to the ecosystem, small nuances can drastically affect the reef’s recovery.
Read more at: University of California - Santa Barbara
Photo Credit: Andrew Thurber
