THE BIOLOGY OF CORAL REEFS
I.
II.
111.
Iv.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Ix.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
C. M. YONCIE
University of Qlusgow, Swtlund
Introduction
. . . . . . .. ..
Reviews . . . . . . .. .. ..
Systematics and Distribution . . .. ..
Settlement of Plandm . . .. .. ..
Ecology of Atolls. . . . . . .. ..
Atlantic Rsefs
. . .. .. .. ..
Erosion . . .. . . . . . . . .
Physiology
. . . . . . .. ..
Zooxanthellse . . . . .. .. ..
A. Nature .. .. .. .. ..
B. Significance of the Association
. .
Growth . . . . . . .. .. ..
Effect of Light . . .. .. .. ..
Productivity
. . . . . . .. ..
References. . .. .. .. .. ..
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. . 265
I. INTRODUCTION
Early experience of coral reefs, for over a year on Low Isles and
elsewhere on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia with a later summer at
the former Carnegie Laboratory on the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of
Mexico, has left the writer with an enduring intercat in them tropical
marine communities. Although rewrit r:oritrrc:hn with oord r w f 4 h i v n
been largely from the air with some superficial study of the fringing reef
at Zanzibar, advances in knowledge have been followed with great
interest. This article, therefore, represents the general impressions of
one who now views coral reef investigations from some distance but
also with somo realization of the gaps in knowledge which impede
progress on tho biological side. Many of these demand prolonged
observation or cxpcrimentation and cannot be filled until some permanent centre for biological research, well staffed and well equipped,
is established on a suitable coral formation, preferably a small atoll.
There, work can be conducted not only throughout the uomons but also
over a long period of years so that the broad pattern of reef changes
may become known and major oontroversies eettled.
I n no branch of biology are we so close to the earth sciencea m we
are in the study of coral reefs. From tho standpoint of a geologist, tho
,
209
I.
II.
111.
Iv.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Ix.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
C. M. YONCIE
University of Qlusgow, Swtlund
Introduction
. . . . . . .. ..
Reviews . . . . . . .. .. ..
Systematics and Distribution . . .. ..
Settlement of Plandm . . .. .. ..
Ecology of Atolls. . . . . . .. ..
Atlantic Rsefs
. . .. .. .. ..
Erosion . . .. . . . . . . . .
Physiology
. . . . . . .. ..
Zooxanthellse . . . . .. .. ..
A. Nature .. .. .. .. ..
B. Significance of the Association
. .
Growth . . . . . . .. .. ..
Effect of Light . . .. .. .. ..
Productivity
. . . . . . .. ..
References. . .. .. .. .. ..
..
..
I .
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
. *
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.. 209
.. 213
.. 214
.. 217
.. 219
.. 224
.. 229
.. 232
.. 232
.. 232
.. 236
.. 246
.. 248
. . 250
. . 265
I. INTRODUCTION
Early experience of coral reefs, for over a year on Low Isles and
elsewhere on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia with a later summer at
the former Carnegie Laboratory on the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of
Mexico, has left the writer with an enduring intercat in them tropical
marine communities. Although rewrit r:oritrrc:hn with oord r w f 4 h i v n
been largely from the air with some superficial study of the fringing reef
at Zanzibar, advances in knowledge have been followed with great
interest. This article, therefore, represents the general impressions of
one who now views coral reef investigations from some distance but
also with somo realization of the gaps in knowledge which impede
progress on tho biological side. Many of these demand prolonged
observation or cxpcrimentation and cannot be filled until some permanent centre for biological research, well staffed and well equipped,
is established on a suitable coral formation, preferably a small atoll.
There, work can be conducted not only throughout the uomons but also
over a long period of years so that the broad pattern of reef changes
may become known and major oontroversies eettled.
I n no branch of biology are we so close to the earth sciencea m we
are in the study of coral reefs. From tho standpoint of a geologist, tho
,
209