Scott Reef images

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Below are a series of photos and videos taken from Scott Reef. To access the high resolution version of the images, click on them to open them in high res then right/command click and select save as.

Photos
Video footage

Photos

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: N Thake).

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: N Thake).

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: J Gilmour)

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: J Gilmour)

Mass bleaching at Scott Reef in 1998 affected all corals, reducing coral cover by around 80%. The fields of branching corals (foreground) were the worst affected, whereas the massive corals (background) were less affected and characterised the communities in the early post-bleaching years (credit: L Smith).

Mass bleaching at Scott Reef in 1998 affected all corals, reducing coral cover by around 80%. The fields of branching corals (foreground) were the worst affected, whereas the massive corals (background) were less affected and characterised the communities in the early post-bleaching years (credit: L Smith).

Scott Reef is an isolated group of three reefs near the edge of north-western Australia's continental slope. A collaborative research program has been running at Scott Reef for almost twenty years (credit J Gilmour)

Scott Reef is an isolated group of three reefs near the edge of north-western Australia’s continental slope. A collaborative research program has been running at Scott Reef for almost twenty years (credit J Gilmour)

Scott Reef is an isolated group of three reefs near the edge of north-western Australia's continental slope. A collaborative research program has been running at Scott Reef for almost twenty years (credit: N Thake).

Scott Reef is an isolated group of three reefs near the edge of north-western Australia’s continental slope. A collaborative research program has been running at Scott Reef for almost twenty years (credit: N Thake).

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: N Thake)

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: N Thake)

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: N Thake).

Scott Reef had largely recovered from a catastrophic mass bleaching of corals within twelve years of the disturbance, despite the lack of connectivity to other reefs in the region. The rate of recovery was attributed to the lack of many local anthropogenic pressures affecting reefs around the world, such as degraded water quality and overfishing of herbivores (credit: N Thake).

Given the lack of connectivity to other reefs within the region, the recovery of corals at Scott Reef following mass bleaching was attributed to their high growth and survival, particularly for the smallest colonies. This was facilitated by favourable habitat conditions, such as clear water, a high cover of coralline algae, a low cover of macroalgae and other competitors, and an abundance of herbivorous fishes (credit: N Thake).

Given the lack of connectivity to other reefs within the region, the recovery of corals at Scott Reef following mass bleaching was attributed to their high growth and survival, particularly for the smallest colonies. This was facilitated by favourable habitat conditions, such as clear water, a high cover of coralline algae, a low cover of macroalgae and other competitors, and an abundance of herbivorous fishes (credit: N Thake).

Isolated coral reefs rely heavily on the local production of larvae to recover from disturbances. However, isolation from anthropogenic pressures can outweigh the costs of limited connectivity, enabling recovery through high growth and survival of the remaining corals and their offspring (credit: N Thake)

Isolated coral reefs rely heavily on the local production of larvae to recover from disturbances. However, isolation from anthropogenic pressures can outweigh the costs of limited connectivity, enabling recovery through high growth and survival of the remaining corals and their offspring (credit: N Thake)

Video footage

Bolbo_short

Diver2_SSBA_short

Parrotfish_Herbivores_Short

Scott_AngelFish

Scott_bigFish

Scott_Softie_Short

Scott_Snake

Scott_Planktivores

Scott_Gorgonians_Swim

Scott_Cod

Scott_Bolbo2