Fast Growth May Impair Regeneration Capacity in the Branching Coral Acropora muricata
Vianney Denis, Mireille M. M. Guillaume, Madeleine Goutx, Stéphane de Palmas, Julien Debreuil, Andrew C. Baker, Roxane K. Boonstra, J. Henrich Bruggemann
Research Article | published 30 Aug 2013 PLOS ONE
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072618
At the sheltered site characterized by high temperatures, temperature variations, and irradiance levels, regeneration took 192 days on average. At the exposed site, characterized by steadier temperatures and lower irradiation, nubbins demonstrated fast lesion repair (81 days), slower growth, lower zooxanthellae density, chlorophyll a concentration and lipid content than at the former site. A trade-off between growth and regeneration rates was evident here.
More evidence against the more-is-better crowd.
Fast growth is just another factor to consider and account for, not necessarily a sign of success or health per se.
Reef Success 