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Reef Architecture and Zones

Reef Architecture and Zones. Reef Architecture -Structure of a ‘ Typical ’ Caribbean Reef (Goreau). Reef Zones - Inshore Zone. This is the area where the water and land meet -we ’ ll discuss this later. Reef Zones - Lagoon. Reef Zones - Lagoon. In Bonaire - Lac lagoon.

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Reef Architecture and Zones

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  1. Reef Architecture and Zones

  2. Reef Architecture -Structure of a ‘Typical’ Caribbean Reef (Goreau)

  3. Reef Zones - Inshore Zone This is the area where the water and land meet -we’ll discuss this later

  4. Reef Zones - Lagoon

  5. Reef Zones - Lagoon In Bonaire - Lac lagoon

  6. Reef Zones - Lagoon In Bonaire - Lac lagoon

  7. Reef Zones - Lagoon • area of sediment deposition behind • the reef crest • - characterized by fine unstable sediment, patch reefs and Thalassia

  8. Reef Zones - Lagoon • area of sediment deposition behind • the reef crest • - characterized by fine unstable sediment, patch reefs and Thalassia

  9. Reef Zones - Lagoon • area of sediment deposition behind • the reef crest • - characterized by fine unstable sediment, patch reefs and Thalassia

  10. Reef Zones - Lagoon • common animals • Holothuria mexicana • Pencil urchin

  11. Reef Zones - Lagoon • common animals • Holothuria mexicana • Pencil urchin -Eucidaris

  12. Reef Zones - Lagoon • common plants • Thalassia testudinales • Acetabularia

  13. Reef Zones - Lagoon • common plants • Thalassia testudinum • Acetabularia

  14. Reef Zones - Lagoon • common plants • Thalassia testudinum • Acetabularia • Shaving brush - Penicillus

  15. Reef Zones - Backreef

  16. Reef Zones - Backreef

  17. Reef Zones - Backreef Acropora Near reef crest Millepora In backreef Diploria Porites

  18. Reef Zones - Backreef Dissipation of Wave Energy wave direction 100% 3%

  19. Reef Zones - Reef Crest

  20. Reef Zones - Reef Crest Maximum wave energy

  21. Reef Zones - Reef Crest Dominant Species Acropora cervicornis Millepora complanata

  22. Reef Zones - Forereef

  23. Reef Zones - Forereef Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone

  24. Reef Zones - Forereef Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone

  25. Reef Zones - Forereef Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone Sediment transport

  26. Reef Zones - Forereef Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone Sediment transport

  27. Reef Zones - Forereef

  28. Reef Zones - Forereef

  29. Reef Zones - Forereef Slope and Deep Forereef 35 m

  30. Reef Zones - Forereef Slope and Deep Forereef

  31. Reef Zones - Reef Wall Reef Wall

  32. Reef Zones - Reef Wall

  33. backreef reefcrest lagoon forereef forereef slope deep forereef and wall

  34. lagoon backreef reefcrest forereef forereef slope deep forereef and wall

  35. Bonaire reefcrest forereef forereef slope deep forereef

  36. Compare all this to the structure of a Pacific Atoll

  37. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones

  38. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 1. Head Corals

  39. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 1. Head Corals -Depths of 5-10 m Montastrea annularis, Montastrea cavernosa, Porites astreoides, Colpophyllia natans and species of Diploria. These corals are massive and usually boulder-like and resistant to storm disturbance

  40. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 2. Acropora palmata Zone

  41. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 2. Acropora palmata Zone -high to moderate energy reefs -weaker than head corals but orients branches to minimize shear forces -faster grower -needs waves to wash sediment off

  42. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 3. Mixed Zone

  43. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 3. Mixed Zone

  44. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 3. Mixed Zone -area on the forereef of most diverse coral growth -lower wave energy but still good light

  45. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 4. Sand Areas

  46. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 4. Sand Areas

  47. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 5. Plate Zone

  48. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 5. Plate Zone -favours growth of plate-like forms of a species or plate-like species to capture most light -corals are more fragile

  49. Typical vs Bonaire reef profile

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