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

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