. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 75 INTRODUCTION The physiography of Canton Atoll, with its large enclosed lagoon water mass connected to the ocean by only one passage (Henderson et al., this report), results in the formation of a strong environmental gradient ranging from the clear, turbulent open ocean to the calm, high-salinity, silt-laden waters of the back lagoon. The observed biogeochemical gradients in the water column (Smith and Jokiel, this report), gradients in fish fauna (Grovhoug and Henderson, this report), gradients in micromoll
. Atoll research bulletin. Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences. 75 INTRODUCTION The physiography of Canton Atoll, with its large enclosed lagoon water mass connected to the ocean by only one passage (Henderson et al., this report), results in the formation of a strong environmental gradient ranging from the clear, turbulent open ocean to the calm, high-salinity, silt-laden waters of the back lagoon. The observed biogeochemical gradients in the water column (Smith and Jokiel, this report), gradients in fish fauna (Grovhoug and Henderson, this report), gradients in micromollusk distribution (Kay, this report), as well as other biological gradients, are reflected (and to a large extent determined) by the coral fauna. The reef corals are very conspicuous members of this ecosystem, and they have played an important structural role in the formation and mainte- nance of the atoll as a persistent geological feature. The interaction of the coral species present at Canton (Maragos and Jokiel, this report) with the strong gradients of physical and chemical factors has resulted in a unique and previ- ously undescribed coral community. The purpose of this study was to describe the diversity and abundance of living reef corals in various environments at Canton Atoll and to identify, insofar as possible, the factors controlling these distributions. METHODS The extensive area of the atoll (approximately 50 km2) made it necessary to employ qualitative sampling techniques to assess the overall distribution of corals, followed by detailed quantitative analysis of representative areas. Study locations are shown in Fig. 26. Figure 26. Coral survey stations. Qualitative inventory and specimen collections: June 1972 (•), Sept. 1973 (A), Dec. 1973 (O). Transect locations: 1973 (?).. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations ma
Size: 1625px × 1538px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauth, bookauthorsmithsonianinstitutionpress, bookcentury1900
