Rebounds, regresses, and recovery: A 15-year study of the coral reef community at Pila'a, Kaua'i after decades of natural and anthropogenic stress events.

Pila'a reef on the north shore of Kaua'i, Hawai'i was subjected to a major flood event in 2001 that deposited extensive sediment on the reef flat, resulting in high coral mortality. To document potential recovery, this study replicated benthic and sediment surveys conducted immediately following the event and 15 years later. Coral cores were analyzed to determine coral growth rates and density.