1. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones

2. 1. Head Corals

3. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 1. Head Corals -Depths of 5-10 m Montastrea annularis, Montastrea cavernosa, Porites astreoides, Colpophyllia natans and species of Diploria. These corals are massive and usually boulder-like and resistant to storm disturbance

4. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 2. Acropora palmata Zone

5. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 2. Acropora palmata Zone -high to moderate energy reefs -weaker than head corals but orients branches to minimize shear forces -faster grower -needs waves to wash sediment off

6. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 3. Mixed Zone

7. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 3. Mixed Zone

8. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 3. Mixed Zone -area on the forereef of most diverse coral growth -lower wave energy but still good light

9. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 4. Sand Areas

10. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 4. Sand Areas

11. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 5. Plate Zone

12. Coral Reef Zones - Coral Zones 5. Plate Zone -favours growth of plate-like forms of a species or plate-like species to capture most light -corals are more fragile