One of the 30 experimental reefs constructed by researchers for the study. Initially, each reef offered 1m2 of live coral habitat and researchers then simulated the effects of a disturbance by reducing live coral cover by 75% and/or breaking apart the reef into three smaller fragments. Photo: Mary Bonin.

Inhabitants of the experimental reefs.  Like many other coral reef fish, these damselfish require delicate branching corals as habitat during their juvenile life-stage.  These critical coral habitats are increasingly being degraded and destroyed by impacts such as coral bleaching and severe tropical storms. Photo: Mary Bonin.

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