The 2002 re-survey of coral communities in the American Samoa Archipelago, covering Tutuila and the Manu’a Group of islands, assessed coral status and temporal changes since 1995. Key findings include progressing recovery from cyclone disturbances on Tutuila and Tau, with challenges from a crown of thorns starfish infestation and bleaching events affecting Ofu and Olosega, particularly in shallow waters.
The coral reefs of American Samoa’s five main volcanic islands, particularly Tutuila and Aunu’u, have endured severe disturbances, including a Crown-of-Thorns starfish outbreak in the late 1970s and two major hurricanes in the early 1990s. Despite these challenges and a 1994 bleaching event, recent surveys show that the reefs are recovering rapidly, with many areas now supporting lush, healthy coral communities that are resilient to large-scale disturbances.
A survey of coral communities in the American Samoa Archipelago in 1995 aimed to establish a quantitative baseline for future monitoring, documenting over 18,000 colonies from 150 species. The results revealed high diversity and complexity in reef habitats, with distinct communities across different reef zones and evidence of ongoing recovery from previous disturbances.
Justifying Darwin's theory to fit Taema and Hafanua Banks
seasonal and spatial prevalence of coral and CCA diseases
study severity of coral disease in diverse compared to species-poor regions
study severity of coral disease in diverse ompared to species-poor regions
detailed invntory of species of corals, invertebrates, fishes in particular bays and habitats on Tutuila and the Manua Islands
see title
a multi-author comprehensive assessment of the abundance of humpback whales in the South Pacific
local Samoans little interest, but interest from other Pacific islanders to take sea turtles on Tutuila
only Hawaii has substantive data
review of geologic structure and population dynamics of reef species and fisheries - complementary to Fenner 2019
vocabularies in high islands include CoTS, but atolls do not
lists evidence that nutrients in the water that increase diatoms supply food for CoTS larvae and abundant larvae cause outbreaks
see title