Patterns of coral reef development on tarawa atoll (kiribati)

摘要

Tarawa Atoll lies in the equatorial upwelling region, has the largest human population of any Pacific atoll, and has an unusual, asymmetrical form: the triangular lagoon is largely enclosed along the east and south, but communicates with the ocean through a submerged barrier reef along its entire western border. How do these unusual character- istics affect reefs? After characterizing lagoonal reefs, the interactions and influence of various physical and biotic factors are examined.