12 MRN #75 reef zones

Where is the Reef Flat located?

• Between a barrier reef and shore

• Closer to land in fringing reefs

• Seaward side of reef crest

• Shoreward side of reef crest

What are the characteristics of the Lagoon zone?

• Shallow, exposed at low tide

• Protected from strong waves, deeper, soft sediment

• Algal ridge with strong, encrusting corals

• High coral diversity, supports large coral colonies

Which marine animals are supported by seagrass beds in the Lagoon?

• Crabs and oysters

• Coralline algae and encrusting corals

• Fish, sea cucumbers, and dugongs

• Zooplankton feeders

What is a characteristic of the Back Reef?

• High coral diversity

• Algal ridge with strong corals

• Protected from strong waves, slope varies

• Shallow, exposed at low tide

Where is the Reef Crest located?

• Seaward side of reef crest

• Shoreward side of reef crest

• Shallowest part, fully exposed to waves and currents

• Between a barrier reef and shore

What are the characteristics of the Reef Crest?

• High coral diversity

• Algal ridge with strong, encrusting, or short corals

• Protected from strong waves, deeper, soft sediment

• Shallow, exposed at low tide

What lives in the Reef Crest zone?

• Crabs and oysters

• Fewer species due to high turbidity

• Coralline algae, encrusting corals, and some hardy fish species

• Seagrass beds

What is a common characteristic of the Reef Flat?

• High coral diversity

• Shallow, exposed at low tide

• Algal ridge with strong corals

• Protected from strong waves

Which zone is described as having a low diversity of corals?

• Lagoon

• Reef Crest

• Reef Flat

• Reef Slope

why do reef flats have a low diversity of corals?