Costs and Benefits of Fragmentation in the Branching Coral Acropora palmata (DRAFT)
Lirman D. 1996. Costs and Benefits of Fragmentation in the Branching Coral Acropora palmata (DRAFT)
Acropora palmata (elkhorn coral) is a branching coral that dominates shallow reef environments throughout Caribbean. Recently, elkhorn populations have undergone a region-wide decline attributed in part to its susceptibility to diseases and physical disturbance caused by storms. In this study, I examine fragmentation of elkhorn coral to determine the costs and benefits of this important process, and the role that asexual reproduction plays in the survivorship and propagation of this species.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Lirman, Diego
- Date of Issue
- 1996
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- asexual, Elkhorn, mortality rate, Shallow Reef, Survivorship