Pioneer generation shapes long-term recovery of coral populations
Journal
Coral Reefs
ISSN
0722-4028
1432-0975
Date Issued
2025-11-10
Author(s)
Abstract
Reef recovery following a disturbance largely depends on successful coral recruitment and the absence of chronic stressors. However, recent recovery events show increasing homogenization, with dominant coral species replacing the high diversity that once characterized these ecosystems. In this study, we analysed a 9 yr dataset (2012–2020) describing the recovery of a reef towards a Pocillopora-dominated state in Taiwan following a devastating typhoon in 2009. Tracking eight coral cohorts, we assessed growth, survival and reproduction. Pocillopora recruitment peaked during the first 3 yrs, but mortality surged in the 4th yr. The initial generation had the highest survival rates, while by the 5th yr, newly settled individuals failed to survive beyond 2 yrs. By 2020, 83% of the reef consisted of corals from 2012 to 2016, with 38% originating from the first generation alone (2012). This pioneer generation was the primary contributor to growth and reproduction, emphasizing the reef’s reliance on early settlers, leading to an ageing coral community. While pioneer generations were critical to recovery, their dominance may have driven a gradual loss of biodiversity. Our findings highlight the importance of early recruitment in reef development but underscores the risk of reliance on only a few species during and after recovery.
Subjects
Cohort effect
Coral reefs
Dominance
Pocillopora paradox
Recruitment
Resilience
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Type
journal article