Benthic reef primary production in response to large amplitude internal waves at the Similan Islands (Andaman Sea, Thailand).

ABSTRACT: Coral reefs are facing rapidly changing environments, but implications for reef ecosystem functioning and important services, such as productivity, are difficult to predict. Comparative investigations on coral reefs that are naturally exposed to differing environmental settings can provide essential information in this context. One prevalent phenomenon regularly introducing alterations in water chemistry into coral reefs are internal waves. This study therefore investigates the effect of large amplitude internal waves (LAIW) on primary productivity in coral reefs at the Similan Islands (Andaman Sea, Thailand). The LAIW-exposed west sides of the islands are subjected to sudden drops in water temperature accompanied by enhanced inorganic nutrient concentrations compared to the sheltered east

SUBMITTER: Jantzen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3843706 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature