Coral Makes a Faster Than Expected Return in Fiji

Only 4 years after the strongest cyclone to hit land in the Southern hemisphere, the corals of Fiji's Namena marine reserve and the Vatu-i-Ra conservation park, have made an extraordinary recovery (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/05/reef-revival-fijis-corals-bouncing-back-after-ruinous-cyclone). The reefs were 'reduced to rubble', by the 175 mph winds of cyclone Winston on 20th February 2016. The cyclone also killed 44 people. Dive surveys have now found an abundance of young coral colonies, along with the species (especially fish) associated with them. It all sounds very positive. These Fiji reserves appear, however, to have been well-managed (locals are very dependent on these structures and their associated life). Healthy reefs may have the capacity to regenerate quickly. Many of the planet's reef systems are in a much less healthy condition. They often show substantial bleaching. Human populations often over-exploit reefs and damage them by releasing pollutants into the area. Acidification of the ocean waters, due to increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, is also bad news for corals (and for many other marine organisms). Climate change will also, of course, increase the probability of a Winston Mark 2, re-devasting this and other Pacific areas.