Reef Flats

Thornborough, Kate; Davies, Peter J.

doi:10.1007/978-90-481-2639-2_135

Cited by 14 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The reef exhibits features commonly found throughout the GBR, allowing comparisons to be drawn with other reefs. Such features include prograding sand bodies [21,23,24], wide algal rims [25], and two prominent windward margins [13,25]. In terms of development, One Tree Reef is considered a mature reef [25], i.e., the modern reef flats have reached sea level and are now extending horizontally and infilling the lagoon [16,22].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The eastern rubble flat of One Tree Reef is supplied with sediment from the forereef, which is deposited under both modal conditions and high energy events [13]. Optimum rubble transport under modal and high-energy conditions occurs during rubble flat inundation levels of 0.75-2 m [14].…”

Section: High-energy Rubble Flat Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An analysis of the spatial distribution of rubble spits identified that new rubble spits develop over the top of existing rubble spits, in approximately the same locations (Figure 4). The rubble spits have a steep leeward slope and gentle seaward slope, indicative of episodic driven leeward movement [13] (see Figure 3(b-e)). As the formation of the spits occurs approximately perpendicular to the reef perimeter, we can hypothesise that their location is related to the forereef morphology of spurs and groove and how the waves dissipate their energy on the spurs or focus their energy as they travel through the grooves.…”

Section: Location Of Rubble Spitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Authors such as Hamylton [9,10] have used high resolution satellite imagery to assess geomorphic changes in coral reefs. Rubble-dominated reef flats are common features on the windward margins of exposed high-energy reefs [11][12][13]. While many studies have focused on coral dominated reef flats, rubble flats have been relatively neglected, and studies are largely limited to the production and deposition of rubble as a result of high-energy events over short times scales [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evolution of Coral Rubble Deposits on a Reef Platform as Detected by Remote Sensing

et al. 2012

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An investigation into the evolution of coral rubble deposits on a coral reef platform is assessed using high-resolution remote sensing data and geospatial analysis. Digital change detection analysis techniques are applied to One Tree Reef in the southern Great Barrier Reef by analysing aerial photographs and satellite images captured between 1964 and 2009. Two main types of rubble deposits were identified: (1) rubble flats that are featureless mass accumulations of coral rubble; and, (2) rubble spits that are shore-normal linear features. While both deposits prograde in a lagoon-ward direction, rubble spits move faster (~2 m/yr) than rubble flats (~0.5 m/yr). The volume of rubble, the underlying substrate, the energy regime, and storm frequency control the rate of progradation. Rubble flat occurrence is restricted to the high-energy (windward) margin of the coral reef platform, while rubble spits are distributed reef wide, both in modal high energy and modal low energy regions of the reef. Rubble spit deposition is considered to be a result of enlarged spur and groove morphology of the forereef, whereby wave energy is focused through the enlarged groove formations causing the preferential deposition of coral rubble in particular zones of the adjacent reef flat. One last control is thought to be the elevation of the reef crest whereby lower areas are more prone to rubble flat development. A vertical and ocean-ward accumulation of rubble is occurring on the windward margin of the reef leading to a build-up and build-out of the reef, governing the expansion of the reef footprint. This study shows for the first time the evolution of a coral reef rubble flat and rubble spits over decadal time scales as detected through remotely sensed images spanning 45 years. OPEN ACCESSRemote Sens. 2013, 5

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: High-energy Rubble Flat Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Location Of Rubble Spitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evolution of Coral Rubble Deposits on a Reef Platform as Detected by Remote Sensing

et al. 2012

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“…This contrasts with deeper reef slopes, where wave energy typically co‐varies with the major forcing function of light levels (Bradbury & Young, ). Water motion on reef flats is characterized as having higher velocities and stronger directional changes than reef slopes, and indeed the values can be comparable to reef crests (Fulton & Bellwood, ), although energy decreases away from the reef crest and towards the lagoon (Thornborough & Davies, ). Water motion varies spatially and temporally and consequently reef flats can be broadly grouped as coral‐dominated or rubble‐dominated (Thornborough & Davies, ).…”

Section: A Geomorphological Physical and Benthic Overview Of Reef Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecology, behaviour and physiology of fishes on coral reef flats, and the potential impacts of climate change

Harborne

2013

Journal of Fish Biology

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Reef flats, typically a low-relief carbonate and sand habitat in shallow water leeward of the reef crest, are one of the most extensive zones on Pacific coral reefs. This shallow zone often supports an abundant and diverse fish assemblage that is exposed to more significant variations in physical factors, such as water depth and movement, temperature and ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, than most other reef fishes. This review examines the characteristics of reef flat fish assemblages, and then investigates what is known about how they respond to their biophysical environment. Because of the challenges of living in shallow, wave-exposed water, reef flats typically support a distinct fish assemblage compared to other reef habitats. This assemblage clearly changes across tidal cycles as some larger species migrate to deeper water at low tide and other species modify their behaviour, but quantitative data are generally lacking. At least some reef flat fish species are well-adapted to high temperatures, low oxygen concentrations and high levels of UV radiation. These behavioural and physiological adaptations suggest that there may be differences in the demographic processes between reef flat assemblages and those in deeper water. Indeed, there is some evidence that reef flats may act as nurseries for some species, but more research is required. Further studies are also required to predict the effects of climate change, which is likely to have multifaceted impacts on reef flats by increasing temperature, water motion and sediment load. Sea-level rise may also affect reef flat fish assemblages and food webs by increasing the amount of time that larger species are able to forage in this zone. The lack of data on reef flats is surprising given their size and relative ease of access, and a better understanding of their functional role within tropical marine seascapes is urgently required.

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Storms in Coral Reefs

Vila‐Concejo

Kench

2017

Coastal Storms

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Reef Flats

Cited by 14 publications

References 13 publications

Evolution of Coral Rubble Deposits on a Reef Platform as Detected by Remote Sensing

Evolution of Coral Rubble Deposits on a Reef Platform as Detected by Remote Sensing

The ecology, behaviour and physiology of fishes on coral reef flats, and the potential impacts of climate change

Storms in Coral Reefs

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