A one-dimensional wave model was used to investigate the reef top wave dynamics across a large suite of
idealized reef-lagoon profiles, representing barrier coral reef systems under different sea-level rise (SLR)
scenarios. The modeling shows that the impacts of SLR vary spatially and are strongly influenced by the
bathymetry of the reef and coral type. A complex response occurs for the wave orbital velocity and forces
on corals, such that the changes in the wave dynamics vary reef by reef. Different wave loading regimes
on massive and branching corals also leads to contrasting impacts from SLR. For many reef bathymetries,
wave orbital velocities increase with SLR and cyclonic wave forces are reduced for certain coral species.
These changes may be beneficial to coral health and colony resilience and imply that predicting SLR
impacts on coral reefs requires careful consideration of the reef bathymetry and the mix of coral species.