A tale of two reef systems: Local conditions, disturbances, coral life histories, and the climate catastrophe

Coral reefs have evolved over millennia to survive disturbances. Yet, in just a few decades chronic local pressures and the climate catastrophe have accelerated so quickly that most coral reefs are now threatened. Rising ocean temperatures and recurrent bleaching pose the biggest threat, affecting even remote and well-managed reefs on global scales. We illustrate how coral bleaching is altering reefs by contrasting the dynamics of adjacent reef systems over more than two decades. Both reef systems sit near the edge of northwest Australia's continental shelf, have escaped chronic local pressures and are regularly affected by tropical storms and cyclones. The Scott reef system has experienced multiple bleaching events, including mass bleaching in 1998 and 2016, from which it is unlikely to fully recover. The Rowley Shoals has maintained a high cover and diversity of corals and has not yet been impacted by mass bleaching. We show how the dynamics of both reef systems were driven by a combination of local environment, exposure to disturbances and coral life history traits, and consider future shifts in community structure with ongoing climate change. We then demonstrate how applying knowledge of community dynamics at local scales can aid management strategies to slow the degradation of coral reefs until carbon emissions and other human impacts are properly managed.

Automated summary

Coral reefs are facing severe threats from chronic local pressures and climate change, particularly rising ocean temperatures and bleaching. By comparing the dynamics of two adjacent reef systems, we find that coral bleaching can have irreversible impacts on coral reefs. The dynamics of reef systems are driven by local environment, exposure to disturbances, and coral life history traits. Applying knowledge of community dynamics at local scales can aid management strategies to slow the degradation of coral reefs.