Fringing reef

It is distinguished from the other main types, barrier reefs and atolls, in that it has either an entirely shallow backreef zone (lagoon) or none at all.

In other cases (e.g., most of the Bahamas), fringing reefs may grow hundreds of yards from shore and contain extensive backreef areas within which it contains food and water.

Some examples of this are Philippines, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the western coast of Australia, the Caribbean, East Africa, and Red Sea.

Usually characterized by a steep inclination, this part of the reef either descends to a relatively shallow sandy base or extends to depths too significant to facilitate the growth of coral.

[5] A prevalent characteristic found on the fore reef involves the creation of spur-and-groove formations, facilitating the downslope transportation of sediment within the groove.

This crest enjoys an optimal balance of sunlight exposure and wave action, fostering the fastest coral growth in this area.

An earthquake on Ranongga in the Solomon Islands moved 80% of its fringing reef permanently above sea level.

Toxins from marine pollution are dumped directly into the ocean or carried by river systems from sources upstream.

Some pollutants, such as sewage and runoff from farming, increase the level of nitrogen in seawater, causing an overgrowth of algae, which cuts off sunlight from the reefs.

Erosion caused by construction (both along coasts and inland), mining, logging, and farming is leading to increased sediment in rivers.

Some of this difference is the result of eutrophication from increased nutrients, sediments and toxicity from domestic and industrial wastes.

The corals present on the fringing reefs use four processes to get rid of sediments which include polyp distension, tentacular movement, ciliary action and mucus production.

[11] In the area of the reef closest to the shore there is generally a lot of fleshy algae which forms on sand and coral rubble.

On fringing reefs in Barbados, species such as Diploria strigosa, Palythoa mamillosa, and Diadema antillarum are found.