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Coral recruitment patterns at Sodwana Bay, South Africa

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Abstract

Recruitment is widely acknowledged as one of the most important processes in the maintenance of coral reef systems, particularly in their recovery and replenishment following disturbances. In this study variation in coral recruitment was monitored for 3 years at Sodwana Bay, South Africa, located in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (GSLWP), a world heritage site. Due to the latitude (27–28°S) and physical conditions, this area is considered marginal for coral reef growth. Recruitment of corals to ceramic tiles peaked between March and May each year, with broadcast spawners dominating plates in March and brooders more abundant in May. Pocilloporid corals were the most abundant during all periods except March 2001, when acroporids comprised 72% of the total number of spat. Total recruitment was the highest during this period, with a mean of 13.2 ± 15.73 (mean ± SD) corals tile−1. Recruitment rates varied widely between and within different reefs monitored. Patterns of variation were inconsistent between seasons, but some reefs had persistently low rates of settlement.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF) to MHS. Numerous people helped with the field sampling. We thank P Ramsay of Marine Geosolutions for the use of the reef outlines in Fig. 1. The manuscript was much improved by the constructive comments of two reviewers. The study could not have been done without the permission and cooperation of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oceanographic Research Institute, P.O. Box 10712, Marine Parade, 4056, South Africa

    D. Glassom, L. Celliers & M. H. Schleyer

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  1. D. Glassom
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  2. L. Celliers
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  3. M. H. Schleyer
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Correspondence to D. Glassom.

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Communicated by Ecology Editor P.J. Mumby

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Glassom, D., Celliers, L. & Schleyer, M.H. Coral recruitment patterns at Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Coral Reefs 25, 485–492 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0117-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0117-6

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