Appearance of <i>Acropora</i> plate corals approximately 8 months after the White Syndrome (WS) outbreak and representation of the change in coral community composition caused by the significant and selective WS mortality.

<p>The photograph was taken during the follow-up surveys in October 2008.</p

Mean mortality rate (% ± SE) of <i>Acropora</i> plate corals as measured by the percent of recently dead colonies recorded in surveys 6 to 8 months after the White Syndrome outbreak began at Christmas Island.

<p>Data were recorded at 5 m (black bars) and 20 m depths (white bars) at eight survey sites in October 2008.</p

Mean percent (± SE) <i>Acropora</i> plate cover at eight sites at (a) 5 and (b) 20 m depth at the beginning of (February to April 2008—black bars), and after (October 2008—white bars), the White Syndrome outbreak at Christmas Island.

<p>Mean percent (± SE) <i>Acropora</i> plate cover at eight sites at (a) 5 and (b) 20 m depth at the beginning of (February to April 2008—black bars), and after (October 2008—white bars), the White Syndrome outbreak at Christmas Island.</p

The relationships between the mortality rate as measured by the percent of recently dead <i>Acropora</i> plate corals following the White Syndrome (WS) outbreak and the (a) initial mean number of live <i>Acropora</i> plate colonies, (b) initial mean percent live <i>Acropora</i> plate cover, and (c) initial mean percent total live hard coral cover at eight sites around Christmas Island.

<p>The initial data was recorded during the outbreak of WS (February to April 2008), before total mortality of plate corals. Data for (a) are from 5 m depth only because equivalent data was not collected at all sites at 20 m depth, and data for (b) and (c) are from both depths combined.</p

The relationships between the mortality rate as measured by the percent of recently dead <i>Acropora</i> plate corals following the White Syndrome (WS) outbreak and the (a) initial mean number of live <i>Acropora</i> plate colonies, (b) initial mean percent live <i>Acropora</i> plate cover, and (c) initial mean percent total live hard coral cover at eight sites around Christmas Island.

<p>The initial data was recorded during the outbreak of WS (February to April 2008), before total mortality of plate corals. Data for (a) are from 5 m depth only because equivalent data was not collected at all sites at 20 m depth, and data for (b) and (c) are from both depths combined.</p

Mean number of live <i>Acropora</i> plate corals (colonies per 150 m² ± SE) during (black bars), and 6 to 8 months after (white bars), the outbreak of White Syndrome at Christmas Island.

<p>Data were recorded at (a) 5 m depth at eight sites, and (b) 20 m depth at four sites.</p

Mean percent (± SE) cover of the six most common coral morphologies at the beginning of (February to April 2008—black bars), and after (October 2008—white bars), the White Syndrome outbreak at Christmas Island.

<p>Mean percent (± SE) cover of the six most common coral morphologies at the beginning of (February to April 2008—black bars), and after (October 2008—white bars), the White Syndrome outbreak at Christmas Island.</p

The relationship between the mean percent of <i>Acropora</i> plate corals affected by White Syndrome during the initial outbreak and the mortality rate as measured by mean percent of dead <i>Acropora</i> plate corals recorded 6 to 8 months after the outbreak.

<p>Data are from surveys at 5 m depth at eight sites around Christmas Island.</p

Results of two-factor ANOVA comparing fish length between zones (control and impact) and between years (2004–2009)^a.

a<p>Also shown are results of one-factor ANOVA of fish length in the no-fishing zone between years (2004–2009). Data originate from 40 underwater visual transects per zone per year. Values are probabilities with degrees of freedom in parentheses.</p

Results of one-factor ANCOVA of fish density in the no-fishing zone, with habitat indices as covariates^a.

a<p>Also shown are results of one-factor ANOVA of habitat indices. Data originate from 40 underwater visual transects per year (2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009). Values are probabilities. d.f., degrees of freedom.</p>b<p>Data were transformed (<i>y</i> = Log₁₀[<i>x</i>+1]) to homogenize variances.</p>c<p>d.f. = 3, 156.</p