Gittings,-S.R.; Bright,-T.J.; Choi,-A.; Barnett,-R.R.  The 
	recovery process in a mechanically damaged coral reef 
	community: Recruitment and growth.  PROCEEDINGS-OF-THE-
	SIXTH-INTERNATIONAL-CORAL-REEF-SYMPOSIUM,-TOWNSVILLE,-
	AUSTRALIA,-8th-12th-AUGUST-1988.-VOLUME-2:-CONTRIBUTED-
	PAPERS-MINI-SYMPOSIUM-1-TO-10-14. Choat,-J.H.;Barnes,-
	D.;Borowitzka,-M.A.;Coll,-J.C.;Davies,-P.J.;et-al.-eds.. 
	1988. pp. 225-230.

Coral recruitment and tissue regeneration were studied for 27 
months following a freighter grounding on Molasses Reef, Key 
Largo National Marine Sanctuary (Florida, USA). At the end of 
the study, hard coral and gorgonian populations in a 1500 m 
super(2) area of nearly complete destruction were 13% and 10% 
of pre-impact populations. Recruitment was by species 
dominant in surrounding communities and was highest in 
damaged areas that contained surviving adult colonies. 
Therefore, coral transplantation into heavily damaged areas 
may increase the rate of recovery. Some transplanted corals 
should be those displaced by the ship into sand flats. In the 
2 years following displacement these corals showed 
substantial tissue deterioration. Factors delaying recovery 
include the presence of fine sediment and large amounts of 
rubble. The removal of such sediment and debris from areas of 
mechanical impact may enhance recovery by expediting 
successful recruitment.