The Effects of a Major Forcing Function, Wave Energy, on a Coral Reef Ecosystem

Abstract

Interrelationships between major biotic and abiotic components of a coral reef ecosystem and one of its major forcing functions were studied along a reef flat transect at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef [Australia]. The ecosystem components were the topological complexity of the reef (reef structure), and the community structure of corals and fish. The forcing function was wave energy. Multivariate techniques were used to establish the pattern of relationships among replicate samples of each of the components. Reef structure and coral community structure each respond substantially but independently to the forcing function. The reef structure is a simple and direct consequence of wave energy; but coral community structure and, to a greater extent, fish community structure are complex, indirect and non-linear consequences of wave energy. The forcing function enters the system through at least 2 independent paths and as it penetrates, its influence becomes attenuated and disperse.