Ocean Recoveries Lab
Understanding coral resilience in a changing ocean
We study species interactions and ecological feedbacks that determine coral reef recovery and resilience.
Our research vision
Our lab investigates how corals interact with fishes, invertebrates, and their environment to uncover the bottlenecks to reef recovery.
By linking field experiments with cutting-edge quantitative analyses, we aim to inform restoration and conservation strategies worldwide.
Research themes
We combine experiments, long-term observations, and decision tools to reveal how reefs recover. We focus on biological partnerships, predator dynamics, and restoration strategies that give reefs the best chance to rebound.
Resilience & Recovery
How reefs bounce back after bleaching, storms, and disturbance—including the role of "material legacies."
Mutualisms & Species Interactions
Fish and invertebrates that help—or harm—coral growth, and how context flips these effects.
Predators & Cascades
Trophic dynamics shaping communities, from mesopredators to lionfish and top-down control.
Restoration & Management
Applying science to design effective monitoring and interventions for reef recovery.
Featured projects
Field experiments in Moorea
Manipulating herbivores, mutualists, and disturbance legacies to identify recovery levers.
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Coral wound healing
Quantifying recovery trajectories and the role of guardians/housekeepers.
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Community assembly experiments
Testing how predation shapes mutualist diversity and coral performance.
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Global resilience meta-analyses
Challenging the remoteness hypothesis; identifying accessible resilient sites.
Learn moreRemote reefs aren't always safer.
Reefs adjacent to communities can rebound quickly when grazers and mutualists thrive.
Strategic investments near people unlock rapid recovery and social co-benefits—critical for scaling conservation.
Explore the analysis →Mutualists accelerate healing.
Guardians and cleaners shrink lesion area and boost growth after coral damage.
Cleaning, anti-predator defence, and fertilisation (CAFI) services can be engineered into restoration designs.
Explore CAFI services →Predators shape mutualist communities.
Top-down control determines which partners colonize corals and their net effects.
Managing predator pressure can tip the balance toward beneficial partnerships that accelerate coral recovery.
See the trophic cascade study →Material legacies shape recovery.
Dead coral structure provides refuge and recruitment sites that speed recolonization.
Leaving structural complexity intact after disturbance can dramatically improve recovery outcomes and biodiversity.
Read the legacy effects paper →Publications & highlights
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Remoteness does not enhance coral reef resilience
Meta-analysis revealing that reefs near communities can recover rapidly when conditions support it.
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How fishes and invertebrates impact coral resilience
Comprehensive framework showing how coral-dwelling species provide multiple benefits (CAFI services).
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Cascading benefits of mutualists' predators on foundation species
How trophic cascades determine which species colonize corals and their effects on coral performance.
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Material legacies can degrade resilience
Structural complexity from dead corals can help or hinder recovery depending on context.
Get involved
Collaborate on field experiments, join our team, or support decision-relevant coral reef science.
Images: Ocean Recoveries Lab (Squarespace-hosted); Unsplash (CC0). Where applicable, credit required and appreciated.