Environmental impacts of dredging and other sediment disturbances on corals: A review

► Intensity, duration and frequency of sediment disturbance determine dredging impacts on corals. ► Sediment stress effects have been investigated in ∼10% of known reef-building coral species. ► Tolerance limits of coral reefs to suspended sediment vary widely from <10 to >100 mg L−1. ► Tolerance limits of corals to sedimentation vary widely from <10 to >400 mg cm−2 day−1. ► Sensitivity to sediment stress is significantly related to coral growth form, but not calyx size.