This relatively short lecture by a research fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University provides very interesting insight into general impacts on coral reef species post bleaching event.
He draws data from 17 studies to look at specific species that have been impacted by previous bleaching events such as the galapagos coral-damsel (Azurite eupalama) which disappeared after the 1998 El Nino event.
As you will observe, he displays optimism with regards to coral reef fish extinction as most species have a large geographical range. Also, when we consider most impacts of coral bleaching are regionally limited it means that there is persistence in unaffected areas which facilitates future recovery. However he does stress that there are significant species whom have limited abundance and geographical range but with a high speciality of diet, ultimately rendering them significantly at risk.
In my next post I will introduce some of the coral reef fish species that are at risk of extinction.
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