Marine Ecosystems

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Marine Ecosystems Coral Reefs
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Coral Reefs - Worldwide Distribution
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Coral Reefs - Worldwide Distribution
20º isotherm
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Major Reef Builders Corals
Coralline algae
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Reef Types
a. Atolls
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Reef Types
a. Atolls
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Reef Types
b. Fringing reefs
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Reef Types
b. Fringing reefs
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Reef Types
c. Barrier reefs
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Reef Zonation -based on Jamaican reefs
back reef
shore zone
lagoon
reef crest
fore reef
buttress zone
deep fore reef
wall
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Reef Zonation -based on Jamaican reefs
back reef
shore zone
lagoon
reef crest
fore reef
buttress zone
deep fore reef
wall
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Reef Zonation -based on Jamaican reefs
back reef
shore zone
lagoon
reef crest
fore reef
buttress zone
deep fore reef
wall
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Reef Zonation -based on Jamaican reefs
back reef
shore zone
reef crest
lagoon
fore reef
buttress zone
deep fore reef
wall
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Reef Zonation -based on Jamaican reefs
back reef
shore zone
lagoon
reef crest
fore reef
buttress zone
deep fore reef
wall
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Reef Zonation -based on Jamaican reefs
back reef
shore zone
lagoon
reef crest
fore reef
buttress zone
deep fore reef
wall
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Reef Zonation -based on Jamaican reefs
back reef
shore zone
lagoon
reef crest
fore reef
buttress zone
deep fore reef
wall
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Reef Builders
Corals
Coralline algae
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Reef Destroyers
a. Physical
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Reef Destroyers
b. Biological
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Reef Destroyers
b. Biological
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Corals - add CaCO3 framework
Borers weaken coral (destroyers)
Physical destruction
Physical conditions kill coral
Dead corals, rubble
Finer sediment
Sand channels in buttresses
Consolidate into solid mass (submarine
lithification)
Deep layers
Base for further reef growth