期刊名称：African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
电子版ISSN：1996-0786
出版年度：2015
卷号：9
期号：7
页码：615-631
DOI：10.5897/AJEST2015.1862
语种：English
出版社：Academic Journals
摘要：The effects of sediment concentration and season on coral recruitment algal abundance and benthic community structure were studied in Kenyan coral reef lagoons to determine their potential influence on coral recovery. Nutrient levels and recruit numbers were higher during the southeast monsoon (SEM) than during the northeast monsoon (NEM) season and in sediment-exposed compared to non-sediment exposed reefs. Mean algal biomass also exhibited the same seasonal trend (except at one site), but was higher in the non-sediment exposed reef compared to the other reefs. Corals in the sediment exposed reef exhibited morphological differences relative to the other reefs: fewer corymbose and plate-like but more branching, massive and solitary forms and increased colony and corallite sizes. However, sediments did not suppress coral recruitment rates. These morphological changes coupled with the interaction between biological and physico-chemical characteristics have important ecological and geological implications: by potentially modifying calcium carbonate production and ameliorating the adverse effects of climate induced stress events, this may minimize coral mortality and enhance reef recovery.
