Octocoral dynamics over a decade on Florida's coral reef.

ABSTRACT: In recent decades, studies have documented increased octocoral cover and density on western Atlantic reefs, suggesting their potential to thrive in areas once dominated by scleractinians. On Florida's Coral Reef (FCR), octocorals are among the most abundant benthic taxa, and octocoral cover has demonstrated resilience, despite frequent acute disturbances that have decimated scleractinian populations. While octocoral cover is an important metric, particularly when assessing broad patterns, it overlooks key demographic processes, such as recruitment and survival, that underpin resilience. This study explored the spatiotemporal trends in arborescent octocorals across FCR using three metrics: percent cover, density, and the recruit density of target species. Using a long-term dataset across FC

SUBMITTER: Liberman R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12569018 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature