Observed and predicted cyclone intensity distribution, and changes in coral cover by tropical cyclones on the GBR

Observed and predicted cyclone intensity distribution, and changes in coral cover by tropical cyclones on the GBR. (A) Frequency distribution of tropical cyclones on the GBR as observed between 1969 and 1997 (Puotinen et al. 1997; grey bars), and with a increase in cyclone intensity of half a category as predicted for 2080 (Knutson and Tuleya 2004; white dashed bars). (B) Observed local loss in coral cover in response to cyclone intensity on inshore and offshore reefs. (C) GBR-wide loss of coral cover on inshore and offshore reefs, at cyclone intensity distributions as observed 1969 – 1997 (black and grey bars), and as predicted for 2080 (white dashed bars). Values are standardized to cumulative present-day losses on undisturbed inshore reefs (black bars) as 1.0.