The flow of the coral reef region is an important environmental factor affecting growth and distributed structure (regional characteristics) of the coral.
In spite of the 1998 worldwide coral bleaching, Sekisei lagoon (radius of 20km, spreading between lshigaki island and Iriomote island Okinawa prefecture), which is the largest coral reef region in Japan, suffered only 30% of whole area, which is less than the other coral reefs. Why was the influence of coral bleaching weak in Sekisei lagoon?
In this study, we will provide a synopsis of the relation between circulation (water exchange process) in Sekisei lagoon and coral distribution, based on the result of short-term observation such as current direction, current velocity, and coral cover.
Circulation in Sekisei lagoon is predominated along the flow affected by bottom topography and water exchange occurs throughout some channels in the lagoon. Therefore, coral reef region is classified into an open area, a semi-closed area and a closed area due to bottom topography effect and flow environment. There was good correspondence between each defined area (the superscription) and coral distribution.
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