Contrasting hydrodynamic regimes of submerged pinnacle and emergent coral reefs.

ABSTRACT: Hydrodynamics on coral reefs vary with depth, reef morphology and seascape position. Differences in hydrodynamic regimes strongly influence the structure and function of coral reef ecosystems. Submerged coral reefs on steep-sided, conical bathymetric features like seamounts experience enhanced water circulation as a result of interactions between currents and the abrupt physical structure. There may also be similar interactions between smaller pinnacles and regional water currents in offshore locations (crests > 10 m), while shallow reefs (crests <10 m) may be more subject to surface currents driven by wind, waves and tide. Here we tested whether coral pinnacles experienced stronger and more variable currents compared to emergent reefs at the same depth in both nearshore and offshore posit

SUBMITTER: Galbraith GF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9380949 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature