Their responses to such increases may depend on typical local conditions and vary between seasons. In general, the impact from dredging on corals and coral reef ecosystems is complex and far from fully understood. Yet there is an extensive body of

experience to learn from. This experience lies with dredging contractors, in assessment reports, in monitoring data and in scientific literature derived from field-based and laboratory find more studies. In this review we examine the environmental impacts of dredging on corals. We outline the type and level of dredging operations near coral reefs; provide an overview of the general impacts of sediment disturbances on corals; examine the current state of knowledge regarding sensitivity among and within coral species, tolerance limits and critical thresholds; and, finally, discuss mitigating factors and the potential for recovery. Where appropriate, these findings are illustrated with case studies. The focus of this review is limited to the effects of dredging on corals. The nomenclature of the coral species discussed in this review has been updated according to the most recent taxonomic revisions. The effects of dredging on other reef-associated organisms were not considered, except those depending on corals as specific host organisms. A similar analysis for seagrasses can be found in Erftemeijer

and Lewis (2006). Information sources for the review included peer-reviewed scientific literature, Selleck Staurosporine “grey” literature in the form of environmental impact assessments, consultancy and technical reports, and additional information obtained from members of Working Group 15 of the Environmental Commission of the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC, 2010). While the emphasis of this review is on the impacts of dredging, the findings and implications presented here are equally applicable to other sediment disturbances as sources of elevated turbidity or sedimentation Unoprostone (rivers, natural resuspension, flood plumes, bottom-trawling, etc.). An overview of 35 selected case

studies of documented dredging operations in, near or around coral reef areas is presented in Table 1, which provides an indication of the scale and type of impact that dredging operations can have on corals and coral reefs. Undoubtedly, there are many more cases of coral damage associated with dredging operations worldwide, some of which are reported in confidential documents or in local languages, to which access is limited. Many of the historical dredging operations and port developments near coral reefs have never been documented and effects on corals were rarely quantified. The actual scale of dredging damage to coral reefs worldwide can therefore be assumed to be much greater than the available literature may suggest.