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 - LagoonIn Bonaire - Lac lagoon
Reef Zones - LagoonIn Bonaire - Lac lagoon
Reef Zones - Lagoon
-area of sediment deposition behindthe reef crest- characterized by fine unstable sediment, patch reefs and Thalassia
Reef Zones - Lagoon
-area of sediment deposition behindthe reef crest- characterized by fine unstable sediment, patch reefs and Thalassia
Reef Zones - Lagoon
-area of sediment deposition behindthe reef crest- characterized by fine unstable sediment, patch reefs and Thalassia
Reef Zones - Lagoon
- common animals-Holothuria mexicana-Pencil urchin
Reef Zones - Lagoon
- common animals-Holothuria mexicana-Pencil urchin -Eucidaris
Reef Zones - Lagoon
- common plants-Thalassia testudinales-Acetabularia
Reef Zones - Lagoon
- common plants-Thalassia testudinum-Acetabularia
Reef Zones - Lagoon
- common plants-Thalassia testudinum-Acetabularia-Shaving brush - Penicillus
Reef Zones - Backreef
Reef Zones - Backreef
Reef Zones - Backreef
Near reef crest
In backreef
Diploria
Porites
Acropora
Millepora
Reef Zones - Backreef
Dissipation of Wave Energy
wave direction
100%
3%
Reef Zones - Reef Crest
Reef Zones - Reef Crest
Maximum wave energy
Reef Zones - Reef Crest
Dominant Species
Acropora cervicornis
Millepora complanata
Reef Zones - Forereef
Reef Zones - Forereef
Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone
Reef Zones - Forereef
Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone
Reef Zones - Forereef
Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone
Sediment transport
Reef Zones - Forereef
Spur and groove (Buttress) Zone
Sediment transport
Reef Zones - Forereef
Reef Zones - Forereef
Reef Zones - Forereef Slope and Deep Forereef
35 m
Reef Zones - Forereef Slope and Deep Forereef
Reef Zones - Reef Wall
Reef Wall
Reef Zones - Reef Wall
lagoon backreef reefcrest
forereef
forereef slope deep forereef and wall
lagoon
backreef
reefcrest
forereef
forereef slope
deep forereef and wall
Bonaire
reefcrest
forereef
forereef slope
deep forereef
Compare all this to the structure of a Pacific Atoll
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones1. Head Corals
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones1. 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-likeand resistant to storm disturbance
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones2. Acropora palmata Zone
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones2. 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
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones3. Mixed Zone
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones3. Mixed Zone
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones3. Mixed Zone
-area on the forereef of most diverse coral growth-lower wave energy but still good light
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones4. Sand Areas
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones4. Sand Areas
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones5. Plate Zone
Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones5. Plate Zone
-favours growth of plate-like forms of a species or plate-like species to capture most light
-corals are more fragile
Typical vs Bonaire reef profile