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<p>With a maximum sustained wind speed of 195 kmh<sup>−1</sup> and wind gusts of 270 kmh<sup>−1</sup>, the December 2021 super typhoon Rai (locally named Odette) caused significant damage to the Philippines shallow-water reefs. Herein, we report observations of the typhoon’s impact on black coral communities that previously occupied the shallow-water reefs (&lt; 20 m depth) of Mactan Island in central Philippines. Surveys were conducted in March and May 2022 at sites where black corals were previously found to be diverse and abundant. Our post-observations only documented members of two genera (<i>Rhipidipathes</i> Milne Edwards &amp; Haime, 1857 and <i>Cirrhipathes</i> de Blainville, 1830); thus, the previously documented shallow-water species of <i>Antipathes</i> Pallas, 1766, <i>Myriopathes</i> Opresko, 2001, and <i>Stichopathes</i> Brook, 1889, were most likely dislodged or smothered during the onslaught of super typhoon Rai. While these observations suggest a considerable impact of the typhoon in shallow waters, the presence of several juvenile whip black corals growing in crevices and on the walls of overhangs cannot be overlooked. Exploration of the deeper portion of the reef revealed the persistence of numerous adult colonies of branching black corals suggesting that the impact of the typhoon was not as severe in deeper waters.</p>

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The impact of super typhoon Rai (Odette) on shallow-water (<20 m) black corals in Mactan Island, Philippines

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Kurt Bryant B. Bacharo,
  • Mercer R. Brugler

摘要

With a maximum sustained wind speed of 195 kmh−1 and wind gusts of 270 kmh−1, the December 2021 super typhoon Rai (locally named Odette) caused significant damage to the Philippines shallow-water reefs. Herein, we report observations of the typhoon’s impact on black coral communities that previously occupied the shallow-water reefs (< 20 m depth) of Mactan Island in central Philippines. Surveys were conducted in March and May 2022 at sites where black corals were previously found to be diverse and abundant. Our post-observations only documented members of two genera (Rhipidipathes Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 and Cirrhipathes de Blainville, 1830); thus, the previously documented shallow-water species of Antipathes Pallas, 1766, Myriopathes Opresko, 2001, and Stichopathes Brook, 1889, were most likely dislodged or smothered during the onslaught of super typhoon Rai. While these observations suggest a considerable impact of the typhoon in shallow waters, the presence of several juvenile whip black corals growing in crevices and on the walls of overhangs cannot be overlooked. Exploration of the deeper portion of the reef revealed the persistence of numerous adult colonies of branching black corals suggesting that the impact of the typhoon was not as severe in deeper waters.