3. Results
3.1. Environmental variables
3.1.1. Rainfall and water temperature
The total monthly rainfall (supplied by the Singapore Meteorological
Service) was consistent with previous years with March
(~100 mm) and June (~50 mm) as the driest months. The wettest
months occurred at the end of the year (December) and midway
through the year (AprileMay) when >300 mm rainfall per month
was recorded (Fig. 2). SSTs were also consistent with previous years
with a large peak occurring in May to June 2012 (~29.5 C) and a
smaller peak occurring in October to November 2012 (~29 C).
Lowest SSTs were recorded during January to February 2013
(~28 C; Fig. 2). SSTs measured on the reef slope were lower than
SST taken at 0 m, ranging from 26 to 28.5 C, but followed the
seasonal trends observed at the surface.