Phase shifts and the role of herbivory in the resilience of coral reefs

M. H. Ledlie, N. A. J. Graham, J. C. Bythell, S. K. Wilson, S. Jennings, N. V. C. Polunin, J. Hardcastle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

152 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cousin Island marine reserve (Seychelles) has been an effectively protected no-take marine protected area (MPA) since 1968 and was shown in 1994 to support a healthy herbivorous fish assemblage. In 1998 Cousin Island reefs suffered extensive coral mortality following a coral bleaching event, and a phase shift from coral to algal dominance ensued. By 2005 mean coral cover was
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)641-653
Number of pages13
JournalCoral Reefs
Volume26
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

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