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Water temperature as an indicator of environmental variability on a coral reef
Author(s) -
Potts D. C.,
Swart P. K.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1984.29.3.0504
Subject(s) - coral , reef , coral reef , habitat , oceanography , environmental science , sea surface temperature , water mass , waves and shallow water , ecology , geology , biology
The magnitude and spatial extent of variation in water temperatures commonly experienced by corals were examined on several temporal scales to evaluate the association between environmental stability and habitat favorability. Shallow reef‐top sites were exposed to surface waters modified by prevailing weather conditions; the deeper outer slopes lay permanently within a well buffered, relatively oceanic water mass. Thermal stability and relative water movement were poor predictors of coral growth and survival. The most stable and the most unstable thermal environments were both poor habitats for corals.