This study investigates effects of eutrophication on settlement, abundance, mortality and community structure of soleractinian corals on fringing reefs on the west coast of Barbados, W.I. Juvenile abundance was lower, but juvenile size larger, on eutrophic than less eutrophic reefs. The lower abundance results at least in part from a higher juvenile mortality on eutrophic reefs. Algae were more abundant and grazers (Diadema antillarum and herbivorous fish) less abundant on eutrophic reefs. Juvenile community structure on all reefs, and adult community structure on eutrophic reefs, was dominated by type 1 corals (high recruitment, high natural mortality). Type 2 corals (low recruitment, low natural mortality) were common in adult communities on less eutrophic reefs. Settlement of coral recruits on artificial substrates was lower on more eutrophic reefs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.60552 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Wittenberg, Mark |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Science (Department of Biology.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001259629, proquestno: AAIMM72138, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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