Catastrophes, Phase Shifts, and Large-Scale Degradation of a Caribbean Coral Reef

Terence P. Hughes

doi:10.1126/science.265.5178.1547

Catastrophes, Phase Shifts, and Large-Scale Degradation of a Caribbean Coral Reef

DOI Web Site 被引用文献28件

Terence P. Hughes

Department of Marine Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia

抄録

<jats:p>Many coral reefs have been degraded over the past two to three decades through a combination of human and natural disturbances. In Jamaica, the effects of overfishing, hurricane damage, and disease have combined to destroy most corals, whose abundance has declined from more than 50 percent in the late 1970s to less than 5 percent today. A dramatic phase shift has occurred, producing a system dominated by fleshy macroalgae (more than 90 percent cover). Immediate implementation of management procedures is necessary to avoid further catastrophic damage.</jats:p>