Recovery of an isolated coral reef system following severe disturbance, Scott Reef and Seringapatam, Timor Sea

Benthic CoverPercentage cover of hard corals, soft corals and other benthic groups on the reef slope at Scott Reef and Seringapatam. During most years from 1994 to 2010, percentage cover was quantified along permanent transects (250 m) at each of 21 sites across seven regions of Scott Reef and Seringapatam.Size-structure and fecunditySize structure and reproductive output of Acropora assemblages on the reef slope at Scott Reef and Seringapatam. The longest linear dimension of Acropora colonies was measured along permanent transects of 200 m² for colonies >10 cm, and 50 m² for colonies Coral recruitmentRecruitment of Acropora corals on the reef slope at Scott Reef and Seringapatam. During most years from 1996 to 2010, terracotta settlement plates (n = 108) were deployed and collected across 18 permanent sites and six regions of Scott Reef and Seringapatam, one month either side of the mass coral spawning in Autumn each year.Coral survivalPost-bleaching survival of corals at Scott Reef and Seringapatam. Colonies (n = 5333) of branching (Acropora spicifera) and massive (Goniastrea retiformis/edwardsi) corals of all sizes were tagged and resurveyed in May each year, at eight sites across four regions of Scott Reef and Seringapatam.
Coral reef recovery from major disturbance is hypothesised to depend on the arrival of propagules from nearby undisturbed reefs. Therefore, reefs isolated by distance or current patterns are thought to be highly vulnerable to catastrophic disturbance. Here, we show that on an isolated reef system in north Western Australia, coral cover increased from 9% to 44% within 12 years of a coral bleaching event, despite a 94% reduction in larval supply for six years after the bleaching. The initial increase in coral cover was the result of high rates of growth and survival of remnant colonies followed by a significant increase in juvenile recruitment as colonies matured. We show that isolated reefs can recover from major disturbance, and that the benefits of their isolation from chronic anthropogenic pressures can outweigh the costs of limited connectivity.

### 底栖覆盖度数据集
斯科特礁（Scott Reef）与塞林加帕坦礁（Seringapatam）的礁坡上，硬珊瑚、软珊瑚及其他底栖类群的百分比覆盖度数据。1994至2010年的多数年份中，研究团队在两处礁体7个区域的21个样点，沿250米长的永久样带完成了百分比覆盖度的量化测定。

### 尺寸结构与繁殖力数据集
斯科特礁与塞林加帕坦礁礁坡上轴孔珊瑚（Acropora）类群的尺寸结构与繁殖输出数据。针对体尺大于10cm的轴孔珊瑚群落，研究人员沿200㎡的永久样带测量其最长线性尺度；针对体尺小于10cm的群落，则沿50㎡的永久样带开展相关测量。

### 珊瑚招募数据集
斯科特礁与塞林加帕坦礁礁坡上的轴孔珊瑚招募情况数据。1996至2010年的多数年份中，研究团队在两处礁体6个区域的18个永久样点，于每年秋季大规模珊瑚产卵前后各一个月时段，部署并回收了108块赤陶质附着基（terracotta settlement plates）。

### 珊瑚存活数据集
斯科特礁与塞林加帕坦礁礁区珊瑚的漂白后存活情况数据。研究人员对两处礁体4个区域的8个样点内，所有尺寸的分枝型尖枝轴孔珊瑚（Acropora spicifera）和块状型网形角菊珊瑚（Goniastrea retiformis/edwardsi）群落（共计5333株）进行了标记，并于每年5月开展重复调查。

## 研究背景与结果
有假说认为，大型扰动后的珊瑚礁恢复，依赖于附近未受扰动礁体释放的繁殖体补给。因此，受距离或洋流格局限制而呈现隔离状态的礁体，被认为在遭遇灾难性扰动时极易受损。本研究显示，在西澳大利亚北部一处孤立礁体系统中，尽管珊瑚漂白事件后的6年内幼体供给量下降了94%，但在漂白事件发生后的12年内，珊瑚总覆盖度仍从9%提升至44%。珊瑚覆盖度的初始增长源于残存群落的高生长率与存活率，后续则随着群落成熟，幼体招募量显著提升。本研究证实，孤立礁体可从重大扰动中恢复，且其免受长期人为压力干扰的益处，能够抵消连通性不足带来的劣势。