VDK_adult coral morphology

Coral morphology at reef sites in the Velondriake Locally Managed Marine Area 2 years before and 2 years after Cyclone Haruna. Point Intersect Transects (PITs) were used to survey hard coral cover (HCC) and the morphology of adult corals (>10cm in diameter). Transects were placed randomly at each site running east to west for all patch reefs and west-facing sites and, north to south for south facing sites. The number of transects undertaken ranged between 6 and 30 and was determined by the size of the site. One observer per transect made fifty observations at 20 cm intervals along each 9.8 m transect: the first being at 0.0 m and the fiftieth at 9.8 m. The type of benthic organism or substrate at each point was identified. N is number of times morphology was recorded at each site in that year.