Turbid Coral Reefs: Past, Present and Future—A Review

Increasing evidence suggests that coral reefs exposed to elevated turbidity may be more resilient climate change impacts and serve as an important conservation hotspot. However, logistical difficulties in studying turbid environments have led poor representation of these reef types within the scientific literature, with studies using different methods definitions characterize reefs. Here we review geological origins growth histories from Holocene (past), their current ecological environmental states (present), potential responses resilience increasing local global pressures (future). We classify new descriptors based on regime (persistent, fluctuating, transitional) sources sediment input (natural versus anthropogenic). Further, by comparing composition, function two most studied reefs, Paluma Shoals Reef Complex, Australia turbidity) Singapore (anthropogenic turbidity), found them distinct status. As geographic range is expected increase due stressors, improving our understanding will central efforts.