34. Do reefs recover from outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish?

Studies conducted on the Great Barrier Reef and at Guam have indicated that coral cover may return to pre-outbreak levels within 12-15 years. It is considered that recovery of the original species diversity (ie. the relative distribution and abundance of different types of corals) of coral communities may be much longer. After 12-/5 years of recovery most coral communities comprise faster growing species such as staghorn and plate corals. Those which require more time to develop, such as the slow growing massive coral Porites, may take many years to re-establish themselves.

Computer simulations of the recovery of slow growing Porites colonies provide strong support for these conclusions. Replacement of very large individuals may take as long as 500 years.

Clearly, coral communities may never fully recover should these large slow growing corals be killed and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish occur at 15 year intervals. This assumes that the communities will in fact revert to their original state given sufficient time; it is possible in the light of other ecological examples (eg. disturbances in tropical rainforests) that this may not eventuate. Further research is needed to investigate these questions.

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