Bounded ecological memory in coral reefs: divergent demographic pathways under recurrent heatwaves and collapse under extreme thermal stress
Tooba Varasteh, Andy Curran, Olivia Mathews, Shanna L. Davidson, George Warfel, Fiona Warsfold, Kayla Shen, Vadim Backman, Luisa A. Marcelino
The paper shows coral reefs exhibit bounded ecological memory, with reduced bleaching under predictable heatwaves but collapse under extreme thermal stress due to demographic shifts and loss of resilience.
bioRxiv · Aug 24, 2026 · PreprintEcology