Patterns of Coral Distribution and Benthic Space Partitioning on the Fringing Reefs of Southern Taiwan

摘要: . The distribution pattern of corals and benthic space partitioning patterns on the fringing reefs southern Taiwan were studied by line-transect method. bathymetric in study area was basically homogeneous except protected reef slopes exposed fronts terraces. Corals are mainly foliaceous, including Montipora foliosa, Merulina ampliata, Mycedium elephantotus, Pachyseris speciosa, but dominant species a slope vary from site to site. formation foliaceous coral community is possibly related complex environmental factors, chance, biological interactions. submarine terraces areas dominated alcyonacean corals. most abundant Sarcophyton trocheliophorum, S. crassocaule, Lobophytum sarcophytoides; their distributions relatively homogeneous. alcyonacean-dominated assemblages can be special adaptive strategies these In regard patterns, major occupiers those storm disturbances soft corals, scleractinian algae; storms, algae dominate. Two conspicuous features high proportion occupied unoccupied space. dense algal cover caused sewage pollution overfishing area. likely frequency typhoon disturbances.