Rocky Shore Zonation in Aruba and Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), With the Introduction of a New General Scheme of Zonation
Van Loenhoud PJ and Van de Sande JP. 1977. Rocky Shore Zonation in Aruba and Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), With the Introduction of a New General Scheme of Zonation. Marine Ecology. 80(5):437-474
Rocky shore zonation at four stations in Curagao (limestone) and two in Aruba (igneous rock) is described. Several schemes of zonation are discussed and a new system in which the littoral region is divided into the infralittoral margin, the aulittoral (that can be subdivided into a lower and an upper belt), and the supralittoral margin on account of biological criteria, is proposed. Standard zonation in the Caribbean, caused by wave action rather than by tidal movements, is described. All stations show features additional to standard zonation, attributable to local environmental factors. Exposure is a major factor. On limestone, sheltered shores show a nip-profile; exposed shores a sawah-profile. This seems to be related to erosive and constructive activities of littoral organisms. The concept of bio-erosion is discussed. All factors influencing zonation appear to be interrelated, thus forming a closely interwoven pattern with zonation itself.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Van Loenhoud, P.; Van de Sande, J.C.
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Erosion, Exposure, Infralittoral Margin, Limestone, Tidal Movements