During this period, coral reef science coalesced around viewing reefs as integrated systems where ecological processes interact with geological context to drive reef dynamics. Researchers emphasized energy flow, disturbance, and subsidence as shaping forces, while the coral–algae mutualism clarified how corals sustain productivity in nutrient-poor environments. Studies on biodiversity and habitat structure highlighted space as a key resource for reef fishes, setting the stage for later niche and community-assembly concepts. The emergence of phase-shift and resilience concepts signaled a shift toward understanding abrupt transitions and the potential for long-term reef recovery following disturbance.