Coral recruitment and regeneration on a Maldivian reef four years after the coral bleaching event of 1998. Part 2: 2001-2002

This paper is the follow-up study to a quantitative inventory of stony corals on a Maldivian reef after the bleaching event of 1998 [Loch, K., W. Loch, H. Schuhmacher & W. R. See, 2002; P.S.Z.N.: Marine Ecology, 23(3): 219-236] covering the years 2001 and 2002, thereby extending the observation period from 1999 to 2002. Data collection was performed as previously in transects on the reef flat, Acropora tables at the reef rim, Porites lobata blocks and one Diploastrea heliopora colony. While between 2000 and 2001 the transects showed a noticeable increase of living scleractinian colonies of 6.1 per m(2) of reef surface per year, this had slowed to 0.7 per m 2 per year by 2002. Likewise, the colonisation of dead Acropora tables had changed from a yearly increase of 14.4 colonies per m(2) of table surface between 2000 and 2001 to a decrease of 9.4 between 2001 and 2002. The main constituent of the regeneration in transects as well as on Acropora tables was Pavona (Agariciidae), whereas Pocilloporidae and Acroporidae were almost completely missing. A new immigrant was Tubastraea micranthus. Continuous growth of regenerates on Porites presented a columnar form, and the growth rate of D. heliopora was reduced between 2001 and 2002. The influence on reef ecology in terms of coral substrate, species differentiation, growth rate changes, interaction with other organisms and the overall prospect of the reef development on a longer timescale is outlined.