Coral Distribution on Artificial Structures in Bonaire, Leeward Antilles

Abstract

Distribution patterns of live scleractinian coral colonies on vertical faces of concrete blocks were compared with distribution patterns of environmental parameters known to affect coral recruitment and growth. Coral coverage was not random across the blocks and among regions of their faces. Variations in colonization did not correspond to differences in substrate type, illuminance, and water motion intensity. Coral distribution significantly correlated with blocks location and faces orientation, and these correlations depended on prevailing current direction. These correlations and dependencies are consistent with the hypothesis that the coral coverage was detrimentally affected by a low quality of water flow from the local marine port.