Damage and Recovery on a Coral Reef Following Hurricane Andrew
Fong PD and Lirman D. 1994. Damage and Recovery on a Coral Reef Following Hurricane Andrew. Research & Exploration. 10(2):246-248
This study documents damage on Elkorn Reef in Biscayne National Park following Hurricane Andrew. Damage was patchy, but elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, sustained the greatest damage. One year after the storm, recovery was mixed. Elkhorn colonies that remained standing were showing signs of healing. Some of the broken branches recemented to the substrate and started to grow upward. However, the rate of healing decreased with time, and some of the colonies will not recover the damaged tissue. Bleaching has also occurred. Photographs show damage and recovery of the corals.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Fong, Peggy; Lirman, Diego
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Ecology, elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), Hurricanes, Impacts, Recovery, Reefs