Historical Recovery in Hawaiian Coral Reefs
Author Information
Author(s): Kittinger John N., Pandolfi John M., Blodgett Jonathan H., Hunt Terry L., Jiang Hong, Maly Kepā, McClenachan Loren E., Schultz Jennifer K., Wilcox Bruce A.
Primary Institution: Department of Geography, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Hypothesis
Can historical social-ecological interactions explain the recovery of Hawaiian coral reefs over time?
Conclusion
The study reveals previously undetected recovery periods in Hawaiian coral reefs, suggesting that human societies can interact sustainably with these ecosystems.
Supporting Evidence
- The study identified recovery periods in Hawaiian coral reefs from AD 1400 to 1820 and from AD 1950 to 2009.
- Human impacts on coral reefs can be mitigated by reducing anthropogenic stressors over long periods.
- Coral reefs can retain adaptive capacity and resilience despite previous degradation.
Takeaway
This study shows that Hawaiian coral reefs have recovered at times in history, which means that even damaged ecosystems can bounce back if given a chance.
Methodology
The researchers reconstructed social-ecological interactions over 700 years using archaeological, ethnohistoric, and ecological data.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on historical accounts and archaeological interpretations.
Limitations
The historical analysis is limited in precision due to the nature of the data sources used.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website