In tropical islands with high elevations, terrestrial runoff can pose a severe threat to the health of surrounding coral reefs. read more
Habitats like river or estuary mouths tend to be depauperate of corals, although reefs found off the coast of the Amazon show that at least some species have adapted to the murkiness. Acute disturbances like landslides or runoff from construction and development can overwhelm even sediment-adapted reefs. read more
Fine terrigenous sediment entering the nearshore ocean during runoff events affects corals in two ways: (1) suspended in seawater, the sediment drastically reduces the amount of light reaching coral reefs and other shallow benthic systems; and (2) as the sediment settles, it can bury corals or cause them to expend a large amount of energy keeping their surfaces clean. read more