Mass mortality following disturbance in Holocene coral reefs from Papua New Guinea

• Published in: Geology (Boulder) 2006-11, Vol.34 (11), p.949-952
• Main Authors: Pandolfi, J. M, Tudhope, A. W, Burr, G, Chappell, J, Edinger, E, Frey, M, Steneck, R, Sharma, C, Yeates, A, Jennions, M, Lescinsky, H, Newton, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: absolute age; Anthozoa; Australasia; barrier reefs; C-14; carbon; Cenozoic; Cnidaria; Coelenterata; communities; Coral reefs; dates; Environmental management; event stratigraphy; fringing reefs; Geochronology; Geological time; Holocene; Human influences; Huon Peninsula; Invertebrata; isotopes; mass mortality; Mortality; paleoecology; Papua New Guinea; Polls & surveys; Quaternary; Quaternary geology; radioactive isotopes; reef builders; reef environment; reefs; terraces
• ISSN: 0091-7613; 1943-2682
• DOI: 10.1130/G22814A.1

The frequency and intensity of disturbance on living coral reefs have been accelerating for the past few decades, resulting in a changed seascape. What is unclear but vital for management is whether this acceleration is natural or coincident only with recent human impact. We surveyed nine uplifted early to mid-Holocene (11,000-3700 calendar [cal] yr B.P.) fringing and barrier reefs along ∼27 km at the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. We found evidence for several episodes of coral mass mortality, but frequency was 16 km along the ancient coastline, occurred ca. 9100-9400 cal yr B.P., and is associated with a volcanic ash horizon. Recolonization of the reef surface and resumption of vertical reef accretion was rapid (