Diaz-Pulido et al 2009:

"In summary, unusually rapid coral recovery in the Keppel Islands apparently stemmed from synergistic effects of factors not previously recognized as important to resilience. These factors included robust tissue regeneration, high competitive ability of the corals and a seasonal dieback in the monospecific seaweed bloom, all against a backdrop of an effective marine protected area system and moderate water quality. Understanding the variability in mechanisms underlying resilience is critical for reef management under climate change. Settlement and recruitment of new corals requires years to decades to re-establish abundant corals, whereas recovery in the Keppel Islands took less than one year. Frequent, large-scale damage may mean that reefs able to rapidly recover abundant corals may serve as key refugia, or sources of larvae for reef recovery at broader scales. Diversity in processes may well be critical to the overall resilience and persistence of coral reef ecosystems globally."

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Citation and/or URL

 Diaz-Pulido, G., McCook, L.J., Dove, S., Berkelmans, R., Roff, G., Kline, D.I., Weeks, S., Evans, R.D., Williamson, D.H. & Hoegh-Guldberg, O. 2009, Doom and boom on a resilient reef: climate change, algal overgrowth and coral recovery, PLoS ONE, 4: (4) e5239. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005239

Spatial Coverage

 Keppel Islands

Temporal Coverage

 2006-2008

Update Frequency

 Not applicable 

Other Information

 None