Intertidal zonation at Aldabra Atoll

Abstract

This paper describes the general features of the zonation of animals and plants on the intertidal predominantly rocky shores of Aldabra. Because of the great diversity of the fauna and flora in the shallow sublittoral, identifications and the collation of data are as yet incomplete. Consequently this account is limited to the true intertidal and the actual shoreline (parts of the seaward platform which project into the eulittoral are not included here). The major distribution of organisms on the shallow seaward platforms, in the channels and in the shallow lagoon, will be discussed in a further paper. Field work was carried out from 15 August 1697 until 9 January 1968 thus enabling observations to be made in both seasons. Intertidal studies were made at many sites around the island representing a complete range of exposure conditions. Because of inaccessibility, much of the north shore of Middle Island and the southwest shore of South Island was not examined.