\u3cem\u3eDiadema Antillarum\u3c/em\u3e 17 Years after Mass Mortality: is Recovery Beginning on St. Croix?

Diadema antillarum was once ubiquitous in the Caribbean, but mass mortality in 1983-84 reduced its numbers by \u3e97%. We measured Diadema abundance on back reefs and patch reefs that have been well studied for \u3e25 years. From June 2000 to June 2001, populations on back reefs have increased \u3e100% (June 2001 mean densities 0.004-0.368/m2), while patch reef populations increased \u3e350% (June 2001 densities 0.236-0.516/m2). Populations are dominated by small urchins, suggesting high recent recruitment. Increased Diadema densities appear to be affecting macroalgae abundance. The general spatio-temporal pattern of recovery around St. Croix seems to be following that of the die-off, suggesting that the same oceanographic features that spread Diadema\u27s pathogen are now carrying urchin larvae