Coral growth form determines which species best recolonize small clearings

Evidence

When small clearings are made in coral cover by the death of whole small colonies or parts of larger ones, vegetative growth of the bordering colonies into the patch is probably the main way that such space is reoccupied. Attachment of propagules, either fragments or larvae, is also possible. However, for such propagules to survive, they must be able to grow up quickly to the level of the bordering colonies and then be able to hold off these colonies that are growing into the space from the border. Because they are much larger at initial colonization, fragments satisfy these criteria better than larvae. Therefore, species with growth forms that readily break into fragments (trees, bushes, plates) should probably be superior invaders of small patches. In contrast, massive mound species are probably poor invaders of small clearings, since they seldom break into fragments and grow slowly. — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 912

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Root-system depth determines which species survive coastal gales — Vinson Brown, Reading the Woods: Seeing More in…, 163

Broader Connections

• Root-system depth determines which species survive coastal gales #expands (0.85) — Vinson Brown, Reading the Woods, 163