Features of Formation of Structureless Reefs near the Mainland and Island Coast of Vietnam

Abstract

We study structureless reefs of the mainland and island coastlines of Vietnam. It is shown that this type of reefs has stable species composition and community structure, like in similar bionomic zones in conventional reefs. They are characterized by high species diversity, including more than a third of all reef-building scleractinian of the Pacific. Non-structural reefs are characterized by the same trophic relations of the inner and outer parts of the reef, from the standpoint of a clear scheme of bionomic zoning on reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific in general.