Coral reef erosion: In situ measurement on different dead coral substrates on a Caribbean reef

Widespread mortality of reef-building coral substantially reduces the capacity for reef growth and makes available extensive bare substrate areas that in absence recovery will be eroded by a variety external internal bioeroders. Here, we analyze rates erosion on six different types carbonate substrates under situ conditions over 2-yr period. We measure vertical changes surface elevation four species recently dead corals afflicted stony tissue loss disease outbreak, other two common calcareous substrates, long-dead Acropora palmata fronds hardground, as reference “bare” occur widely Caribbean reefs. The colonies experienced significant after 2 yr exposure, but at depending species. Dead skeletons Orbicella faveolata greatest −9.9 mm (±3.2 mm); Dendrogyra cylindrus −3.6 (±2.8 mm), Pseudodiploria strigosa −3.3 (±3.7 Siderastrea siderea −1.2 (±0.9 while remained unchanged. There was presence parrotfish grazing scars short algal turf mats, crustose coralline algae cover sand-and-high mats were not associated with elevation, arguably indicating protective effect. This study provides new insights into how what is shaping contemporary reefs fine spatial temporal scales.