Connectivity networks reveal the risks of crown‐of‐thorns starfish outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef

Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) can spread systemwide due to high larval connectivity between reefs, particularly in the Cooktown–Cairns region. This study used network analysis of simulated COTS larval dispersal to identify areas with elevated local and long-range connectivity, which act as high-risk sources for large-scale epidemics. The findings reveal that these regions not only amplify outbreaks locally but also have the potential to propagate them across the entire GBR, increasing ecosystem-wide impacts. By mapping per-reef risks, this approach provides actionable insights for targeting surveillance and control measures to mitigate COTS outbreaks, offering a scalable method applicable to other interconnected ecological systems.

Hock, K., Wolff, N. H., Condie, S. A., Anthony, K. R. N., & Mumby, P. J. (2014). Connectivity networks reveal the risks of crown‐of‐thorns starfish outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef. Journal of Applied Ecology, 51(5), 1188–1196. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12320