Coral Reef EcologyCoral reef communities are among the most complex, mature and productive ecosystems on earth. Their activity resulted in the creation of vast lime constructions. Being extremely productive and having the function of a powerful biofilter, coral reefs play an important role in global biogeochemical processes and in the reproduction of food resources in tropical marine regions. All aspects of coral reef science are covered systematically and on the basis of a holistic ecosystem approach. The geological history of coral reefs, their geomorphology as well as biology including community structure of reef biota, their functional characteristics, physiological aspects, biogeochemical metabolism, energy balance, environmental problems and management of resources are treated in detail. |
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Acanthaster Acropora alcyonaceans algal animals areas atoll autotrophic bacteria bacterioplankton barrier reefs benthic benthos biomass biotopes bottom biotopes cells coral colonies coral communities coral reef coral sands coralline algae crabs crustaceans day-¹ daytime detritus diurnal dominating Endean energy excrete families fauna feeding filterers fringing reefs gastropods genera Goreau gorgonians grazing growth hermatypic heterotrophic holothurians Indo-Pacific lagoon larvae living M₁ macrophytes metabolism microbial molluscs Montipora mucus number of species nutrients octocorals Odum organic matter outer reef slope P₁ patch reefs periphyton photosynthesis phytoplankton plankton planulae Pocillopora polychaetes polyps Pomacentridae Porites predators predatory primary production ramose corals ratio reef biotopes reef ecosystems reef edge reef fish reef flat reef systems reef waters reef zones respiration rubble scleractinian scleractinian corals seagrasses sediments shallow Sorokin sponges stars Stylophora surface symbiotic Table tentacles tissues Titlyanov total number trophic urchins water column zoantharians zoobenthos zooplankton zooxanthellae