Accelerated regeneration of hard corals: a manual for coral reef users and managers

Abstract

Coral reefs can be extensively damaged by natural phenomena such as cyclones, man-induced changes such as tourist developments, reefwalking, strandings, and pollution, or by the crown-of-thorns starfish. Estimates of the time required for the natural recovery of severely damaged coral reef systems varies from about five years to greater than 20 years. Management of damaged reef systems may require consideration of options to accelerate the rate at which recovery of the reefs naturally proceeds.