LOS ARRECIFES DE LA ISLA DE SAN ANDRÉS (MAR CARIBE, COLOMBIA)

Abstract

The windward reef complex NE and E of San Andrés Island is briefly described in terms of submarine topography, sediments and the distribution of corals and other benthonic organisms. The breaker zone of the San Andrés barrier and other exposed Western Caribbean reefs characteristically exhibits a profuse growth consisting almost exclusively of Millepora. In this respect they are different from most other described West Indian reef localities, where Acropora palmata is the dominating species in this part of the reef. The replacement of Acropora palmata by Millepora is interpreted as an adaptation of the reef crest community to high energy environments due to long swell prevailing at the Western end of the Caribbean Sea. A few short reef sections exposed to the maximum degree of wave energy show conspicuous algal ridges.