Coral reef resilience potential assessments are commonly used to predict a reef's ability to withstand disturbances. This method combines indicators of bio-physical features and processes that impact a reef's resilience. The goal is to provide reef managers with information to prioritize protection efforts.
Despite widespread use, only about half of these assessments have contributed directly to management, suggesting considerable scope to advance approaches. This study reviewed 68 resilience potential assessments conducted between 2008-2022 to provide a synthesis of indicator selection, design, and analysis. Our findings show that improvements are needed in the indicator selection process, which has led to gaps in resilience factor representation across most assessments. Furthermore, most assessments did not validate their results, making it difficult to determine their accuracy.
To improve the reliability of resilience information, assessments must be more explicit in their indicator selection decisions and justify them using criteria and ecosystem function models. They should also take advantage of the latest developments in indicator theory and learn from other assessments, such as the Red List of Ecosystems. By doing so, resilience potential assessments can provide more valuable information for decision-makers and help improve the prospects of coral reefs.