Coral and sandstone reef-habitats in north-western Sri Lanka: patterns in the distribution of coral communities |
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Authors: | Rajasuriya Arjan Öhman Marcus C Johnstone Ron W |
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Institution: | (1) National Aquatic Resources Agency, Crow Island, Colombo, 15, Sri Lanka;(2) Dept. of Zoology, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden |
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Abstract: | Coral and sandstone reefs cover a significant part ofSri Lanka‘s continental shelf and contain incomparison unique reef structures.
Despite this, reefsin this region of the northern Indian Ocean havereceived little research attention. In an attempt tobetter
understand these ecosystems and their innatecharacter, this study describes the variety of reeftypes and habitats that are
found in this area. Thestudy concentrated on four major reef areas: the BarReef Marine Sanctuary (BRMS), Kandakuliya Reefs,Talawila
Reef, and Mampuri Reef. These reefs showedapparent differences in habitat structure in terms ofthe proportion coral cover,
coral species compositionand structural complexity. Two reef types were presentwithin the continental shelf of BRMS: coral
andsandstone patch-reefs. Acropora was the mostdominant coral genera however in total 118madreporarian species and 50 coral
genera wererecorded in the sanctuary. Distinct habitats wereidentified within reef types including shallow reefflat, shallow
patch reef, deep reef flat and Porites dome habitats for the coral-reef patcheswhile the sandstone-reef patches were divided
intostructured and flat sandstone reef habitats.Kandakuliya Reef south of BRMS was by large dominatedby coral rubble. Talawila
Reef and Mampuri Reef showedunique structures with the former being dominated bymassive corals and the latter mainly containingsandstone
structures. In addition to factors such asbio-erosion, sedimentation, hydrodynamics, andrecruitment or colonisation processes,
some reefs wereclearly under significant direct human impact whichappeared to play a dominant role in habitatstructuring.
However, type and degree of humandisturbance varied among the reefs. Habitat alterationat Kandakuliya Reef was the result
of intense fishingusing destructive fishing methods. Talawila Reef andMampuri Reef was also influenced by fishing activitiesthough
reef structure seemed less affected.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | Habitat structure zonation human disturbance coraltaxonomy biogeography Indian Ocean |
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