Coral Reefs

Our synthesis reveals that coral-associated fishes enhance coral health through oxygenation, nutrient subsidies, sediment removal, and protection from predators and parasites (Stier et al. 2025, Coral Reefs).

Multiple species of guard crabs work together to protect branching corals from predators like crown-of-thorns starfish and competitors like vermetid snails (McKeon et al. 2012, Oecologia; Stier et al. 2010, Coral Reefs).

Our mathematical models show that structure-retaining disturbances can push reefs toward tipping points by providing substrate for algal competitors (Kopecky et al. 2023, Ecology).

Dynamic energy budget modeling shows fish-derived nitrogen can enhance coral growth under normal conditions, but may exacerbate bleaching response under thermal stress (Detmer et al. 2022, Journal of Theoretical Biology).

Analysis across global reef sites found no relationship between human influence and coral resistance to disturbance, challenging the assumption that remote reefs are natural refugia (Baumann et al. 2022, Global Change Biology).

Traditional measurements miss or reverse growth patterns that 3D photogrammetry captures, improving our ability to predict which corals support the most diverse communities (Curtis et al. 2023, Coral Reefs).