Revisiting coral reef connectivity

Abstract

A large river plume generated by anomalous precipitation and oceanic circulation associated with Hurricane Mitch was detected off Honduras in October 1998 using SeaWiFS ocean color images. This event provides the background for analyzing connectivity between coral reefs and land in the Meso-American reef system. We discuss the potential implications of such short-term events for disease propagation and nutrification, and their potential significance in evolutionary processes.