Award: OCE-2348674

This RAPID award examined how coral reefs in Mo’orea, French Polynesia responded to two major environmental threats occurring at the same time: outbreaks of crown-of-thorns sea stars (COTS), which consume living coral, and warming ocean temperatures associated with El Niño events. The project focused on Pocillopora corals, an important reef-building coral group that plays a major role in reef recovery after disturbance. By studying reefs during an active outbreak and warming event, the project captured a rare and time-sensitive snapshot of reef resilience under climate stress.

Researchers conducted island-wide surveys to measure coral cover, species diversity, coral size distributions, and environmental conditions across lagoon and backreef habitats around Mo’orea. The work showed that coral communities differed strongly among locations, with some reefs maintaining higher coral cover and greater diversity than others. The project also found that different Pocillopora species showed distinct population structures, with some dominated by young, newly recruiting corals while others were composed mainly of larger adult colonies. These patterns provide important insight into which coral populations may contribute most strongly to future reef recovery. The project further demonstrated that coral species respond differently to environmental conditions such as wave exposure. Analyses showed strong relationships between local environmental conditions and the distribution of coral species and size classes. The team also documented differences in coral skeletal density among species and reef zones, helping improve understanding of how environmental conditions influence coral growth and resilience.

This research built upon nearly two decades of ecological monitoring through the Moorea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Research program. By combining long-term reef data with new field observations, the project improved understanding of how repeated disturbances shape coral reef recovery over time. These findings contribute to broader efforts to predict how coral reefs may persist or change as marine heatwaves and biological disturbances become more frequent under climate change.

The project also had strong educational and community impacts. Undergraduate and graduate students received training in coral reef ecology, field biology, and quantitative analysis. Collaborations with the Tahitian non-profit Reva Atea supported the development of educational programs focused on coral reef stewardship and climate impacts. Outreach activities included workshops and hands-on lessons for elementary, middle, and high school students across French Polynesia. The project also expanded the Te Moana Iti (The Little Ocean) classroom aquarium program, providing students with immersive place-based learning experiences centered on coral reef ecosystems.

Overall, this award advanced scientific understanding of coral reef resilience while strengthening education, workforce development, and community engagement in coral reef ecosystems.

Last Modified: 05/19/2026
Modified by: Hollie M Putnam