The spatial-temporal variability and stability of Vietnamese reef communities

During expeditions in 2010 and 2013 on the R/V Akademik Oparin the individual coral reefs of Vietnam, whose species compositions and structures of benthic communities were first studied and described in the 1980s, were surveyed. The current state of the coral reefs was studied, significant changes in the abundances of certain hydrobionts were considered, and possible causes of these changes were discussed. It was determined that the general geomorphological zoning of the reefs, species composition, and the structure of the coral communities of the Con Dao, Lý Són (Cú Lao Ré), and Thu islands have not changed significantly. However, negative changes have occurred in reefs of the Namsu (Gulf of Thailand) and Hon Mieu (Nha Trang Bay) islands as a result of increasing anthropogenic impacts. In reefs of the Cu Lao Cham and Tho Chau islands, which were almost completely destroyed or badly damaged by powerful typhoons in 2006 and 2009, signs of gradual recovery of the surviving coral and the formation of new coral populations were recorded.