Holocene Reef Development in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

摘要: Contrary to early assessments, the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) is not devoid of well-developed reefs. Significant accumulations Holocene reef framework are present throughout region, although they tend be poorly consolidated, lack submarine cementation common on most reefs elsewhere in world, and subject considerable bioerosion. These frameworks began accreting as 7000 years ago. The thickest Pocillopora occur coastal areas Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, but composed massive corals—species Porites, Pavona, or Gardineroseris—are region. Reef development ETP limited by a variety characteristics physical environment. Because high turbidity areas, generally restricted less than ~10 m depth. spatial extent also from combined influences wave action upwelling. Most only few hectares size best-developed sheltered strong oceanic influence. Upwelling long-term trends There does appear significant impact upwelling millennial-scale growth rates Panamanian reefs; however, environments typically have thinner nearby non-upwelling environments. Furthermore, may contributed historic shutdown Rica Panama. Although both ecological oceanographic disturbances had some ETP, important control this region has likely been El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO activity—especially that 1982–83 1997–98 Nino events—has shaped landscape coral across recent decades past. Reefs Panama experienced 2500-year hiatus vertical beginning ~4100 ago result enhanced activity. degree accumulation rate accretion parts more similar western Atlantic previously thought, still remains marginal environment for development. Given dominant role climatic variability played controlling past, future under accelerating climate change uncertain.