Coral reef decline at a potential OECM site near Kenting’s nuclear plant

Long-term exclusion at Taiwan’s Kenting nuclear plant inlet unintentionally created a coral refuge dominated by diverse Acropora. Following reactor shutdown, altered hydrodynamics triggered rapid coral collapse and algal dominance. This before–after case demonstrates that OECM value depends on sustained physical processes, underscoring risks of premature designation without durability, evidence-based management.