Articles | Volume 20, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4339-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4339-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
24 Oct 2023
Research article |
| 24 Oct 2023
| 24 Oct 2023
Mobilisation thresholds for coral rubble and consequences for windows of reef recovery
Tania M. Kenyon
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
Daniel Harris
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
Tom Baldock
School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
David Callaghan
School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
Christopher Doropoulos
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, St. Lucia, Australia
Gregory Webb
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
Steven P. Newman
Banyan Tree Marine Laboratory, Vabbinfaru, North Malé Atoll, Maldives
Peter J. Mumby
Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
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EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1564, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1564, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).
Short summary
Short summary
Drilling beneath Hawai‘i's sea-level into ancient coral reefs, scientists have recovered "living rocks" from more than 100,000 years ago. These massive microbial crusts grew on the coral framework and are exceptionally well preserved archives of former life, showing delicate structures of microbes that usually vanish. Using electron microscopy, researchers found ancient microbial mats and indicators of light-dependent bacteria, thriving in the coral reefs of that time.
David P. Callaghan and Michael G. Hughes
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 2459–2472, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-2459-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-2459-2022, 2022
Short summary
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A new method was developed to estimate changes in flood hazard under climate change. We use climate projections covering New South Wales, Australia, with two emission paths of business as usual and one with reduced emissions. We apply our method to the lower floodplain of the Gwydir Valley with changes in flood hazard provided over the next 90 years compared with the previous 50 years. We find that changes in flood hazard decrease over time within the Gwydir Valley floodplain.
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Short summary
The movement of rubble on coral reefs can lead to persistent unstable rubble beds that hinder reef recovery. To identify where such rubble beds are, we need to know the minimum velocity that will move rubble. We found that loose rubble had a 50 % chance of being moved when near-bed wave orbital velocities reached ~0.3 m s−1; rubble moved more if pieces were small and had no branches. Rubble beds that experience frequent movement would be good candidates for rubble stabilisation interventions.
The movement of rubble on coral reefs can lead to persistent unstable rubble beds that hinder...
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