Inshore coral reef sediment and turf dynamics unaffected by canopy-forming macroalgae.

Nearshore coral reefs face an increasing abundance of fleshy macroalgae, an indicator of degradation and threat to ecosystem functioning. Removal of macroalgae is proposed to assist coral recovery, though the ecological and physical impacts have not been studied. Nearshore reefs are also confronted with sedimentation stress, influencing reef dynamics including algal turfs, with flow-on impacts to coral recruitment, fish diets, and trophic cascades.