Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation

Coral reefs are facing unprecedented threats due to climate change and local stressors,necessitating a better understanding of their responses and resilience mechanisms regionally. This study examines the impacts of the 2020 mass bleaching event on coral reef dynamics in Kenting National Park, Taiwan, using large-area imaging (LAI) technology. Four sites were analyzed, revealing insights into coral abundance, planar area, size distribution, and survivalrates of two common coral taxa, corymbose Pocillopora and massive Porites. Whilerestricted in scope, our findings highlight the resilience and adaptability of coral species inthe face of environmental stressors. Despite limitations, our study underscores the importance of LAI data in providing detailed insights into coral reef demography and dynamics, serving as both a scientific analysis tool and a means of effective science communication. Further research is needed to fully understand underlying mechanisms and ensure the long-termsustainability of coral reef ecosystems in Kenting National Park.