Coral Communities on Marginal High-Latitude Reefs in West Australian Marine Parks

Many temperate reefs are experiencing a shift towards greater abundance of tropical species in response to marine heatwaves and long-term ocean warming worldwide. Baseline data for coral communities growing high-latitude is required better understand ecosystem changes over time. In this study, we explore spatial temporal trends the distribution from 1999 2019 at 118 reef sites within five parks located south-west Western Australia (WA) between 30° 35° S. Our estimates cover were generally low (<5%), except few Jurien Bay Marine Park Rottnest Island Reserve where was 10% 30%. Interannual genera assemblages detected but not consistent time, whereas significant increases found lowest latitude site Bay. Coral primarily distinguished by Turbinaria spp. Marmion Ngari Capes Park, Pocillopora Dipsastraea findings suggest that conditions WA favorable ongoing survival existing there minimal signs expansion most study sites. composition on these may, however, change with increased occurrence heatwaves. This provides valuable benchmark assessing future highlights need targeted hard-coral surveys quantify subtle community assemblages.