Seasonal Dynamics of Macroalgal Communities of the Northern Florida Reef Tract

Abstract

Coral communities worldwide are undergoing intense degradation in response to natural and human disturbances, and many reef systems have already experienced significant declines in live coral cover associated with an increase in macroalgal abundance. Here, we document the seasonal dynamics of the macroalgal communities of the Northern Florida Reef Tract, providing a baseline for long-term studies of coral-algal competition in the area.