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Distribution and environmental control of coral assemblages in northern Safaga Bay (Red Sea, Egypt)

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Summary

Coral assemblages in northern Safaga Bay, Red Sea, Egypt, are qualitatively described. Nine distinct assemblages were found, which correspond to quantitatively defined community types previously described from the area off Hurghada, northern Red Sea. Their distribution within northern Safaga Bay was mapped. Strong gradient and/or steep relief assemblages were:Acropora assemblage on windward (exposed) reefs,Porites assemblage on leeward (sheltered) reefs,Millepora assemblage on current exposed reefs,Stylophora assemblage on reef flats. Low gradient and/or low relief assemblages were:Acropora dominated coral patches in areas of good circulation to a depth of 15 m,Stylophora/Acropora coral patch assemblages in shallow sheltered environments, faviid carpet in low relief areas between 10 and 25 m which with increasing turbidity turns into a depauperate faviid carpet,Porites carpet in low relief areas between 5 and 15 m with clearest water,Sarcophyton carpet in low relief areas with high suspension load, platy scleractinian assemblage in deeper water (>25 m) with low light intensity. The distribution of coral assemblages depends basically on 1) topography 2) hydrodynamics 3) light and 4) suspension load.

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  1. Bernhard Riegl

    Present address: Department of Natural Protectorates, Gulf of Aqaba Protectorates Development Project, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, 23A Ismael Mohamed Street, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt

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  1. Institut für Paläontologie, Universität Wien, Geozentrum, Althanstr. 14, A-1090, Wien

    Bernhard Riegl &  Werner E. Piller

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Riegl, B., Piller, W.E. Distribution and environmental control of coral assemblages in northern Safaga Bay (Red Sea, Egypt). Facies 36, 141–162 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536881

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