Normal Coral Growth Rates on Dying Reefs: Are Coral Growth Rates Good Indicators of Reef Health?

Massive coral growth rates may be poor indicators of coral reef health where coral reefs are subject to combined eutrophication and sedimentation. Massive coral growth (vertical extension) rates on polluted reefs were not different from extension rates on unpolluted reefs, while live coral cover was low and bioerosion intensity high, leading to net reef erosion and death of the polluted reefs. These combined patterns of coral growth rates, …