Chin, Andrew (2003) Inter-reefal and lagoonal benthos. In: Chin, Andrew, (ed.) The State of the Great Barrier Reef Online. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, QLD, Australia, pp. 1-18.

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Abstract

In contrast to its name, only about five per cent of the area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is taken up by coral reefs, with most of the remaining 95 per cent comprised of seabed and benthic (bottom dwelling) communities, other than coral reefs. This seabed is ecologically complex and includes many different types of habitats. Generally it can be divided into three broad categories (as shown in the following map):

• the Great Barrier Reef lagoon: a relatively open area of primarily soft sediment seabed covering the area between the mainland and the part of the seabed where the reefs begin. Generally speaking, the lagoon in the northern region of the World Heritage Area is much narrower (in some places almost non-existent) than the southern lagoonal areas;

• the inter-reefal area: the seabed found between coral reefs at the outer edge of the lagoon and the reefs at the edge of the continental shelf; and

• the continental slope and associated habitats.

Item ID:	29215
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Reference)
ISBN:	978-1-876945-34-3
Keywords:	benthos; Great Barrier Reef; coastal; continental shelf
Funders:	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2013 01:14
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050209 Natural Resource Management @ 100%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9607 Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards > 960701 Coastal and Marine Management Policy @ 50%
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