One does not know a priori what to expect in terms of patterns. We started our monitoring as soon as we were aware of the issue in 1991 and have gone back annually since that time to continue our observations. There is no reason to stop. One is never sure if the whole pattern has been seen and, in fact, we can be pretty certain that all the manifestations of disease have not yet been seen. I am trying to understand the natural background levels of disease in Hawaiian coral.
Coral reefs are present due to accretion and growth of coral.
Where disease is present and coral tissue is lost, one expects a net replacement of new corals or growth. We are looking at rates of tissue loss compared with the rates of re-growth or regeneration. We are trying to relate these rates to other factors, such as natural disturbance or proximity to anthropogenic influences. I really can not at this point. We still know so little about these diseases.