Ecological zones in the Andros Island reef tract
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Date
1972-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The reef of Andros island extends for over 60 miles along the eastern shore. After transversing this reef from the ocean deeps to the shore, it is possible to divide this reef into four ecological zones. These zones are: 1) Montastrea-Deep Water Zone 2) Acropora Palmata-Active Wave Zone 3) Patch Reef 4) Low Wave Action Zone a) Black Sea Urchin-Reef phase (transitional from patch reef to grass phase) b) Codakia-Thalassia-grass phase c) Near Shore phase. The common corals of the Montastrea Zone are: Montastrea annularis, Diplora strigosa, Diplora labyrinthiformis, Porites porites, Porites astreoides, Siderastrea radians, Agaricia agaricites, and Meandrina meandrites. Common corals of the Acropora palmata zone are: Acropora palmta, Acropora cervicornis, Dichocoenia stokesii, Diplora Strigosa, Diplora labyrinthisformis, Millepora, Agaricia agaricites, and Porites porites. The Patch Reef contains the greatest variety of corals, some of which are: Acropora palmata and cervicornis, Porites astreoides and porites, Millepora, Agaricia agaricites, Manicina areolata, Favia fragum, Siderastrea radians, Eusmilia fastigiata, Mycetophyllia lamarckiana, Isophyllastrea rigida, Mussa angulosa, and Scolymia lacera. Corals found in the near shore phase (which includes those found on the north side of Andros in the tidal channel) are: Porites porites and astreoides, Millepora, Dichocoenia stokesii, Siderastrea radians, and Manicina areolata.