3.2.2. Algae

The total overall algae cover across the entire site increased significantly from 42.9 ± 3.1% in 2000 to 56.8 ± 3.2% in 2018 (*p* = 0.0009) (Figures 4 and 5). *Dictyosphaeria* spp. (*D. cavernosa* and *D. versluyii*) decreased significantly from 16.7 ± 1.5% in 2000 to 1.1 ± 0.3% 2018 (*p* < 0.0001). *Gracilaria salicornia* and *Kappaphycus alvarezii* were both present in 2000 (2.8 ± 2.4%, and 0.33 ± 0.3% respectively) and absent from the 2018 survey (*p* = 0.0002, 0.045). Non-coral substrate (turf, crustose coralline algae) increased significantly from 23.1 ± 2.1% in 2000 to 55.6 ± 3.2% in 2018 (*p* < 0.0001).
