Reef corals of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, north-western Australia (Australian Indian Ocean Territory)

In 1989, field studies of reef corals were undertaken at sixteen stations around Cocos (Keeling) Atoll, Horsburgh Island and North Keeling Island. Stations were selected to encompass the widest possible range of habitats. Coral collections were made at these stations and the specimens were sent to the Australian Institute of Marine Science for further study. Comparisons were also made with corals from other geographic regions and Cocos (Keeling) Islands corals held in other museums. These specimens would later be lodged with the Western Australian Museum.
The research undertaken had the following objectives:1. to compile an accumulative species inventory, with the aim of reaching a complete list for the atoll as a whole2. to use this information to determine biogeographic affinities with other regions 3. to assess the effects of geographic isolation and surface circulation patterns on coral diversity4. to assess the effects of previous events such as crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks in the 1960s, the ENSO event in 1983 and the cyclone in 1989, on coral abundance and diversity