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Transport mechanisms and the potential movement of planktonic larvae in the central region of the Great Barrier Reef

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Abstract

It is suggested that considerable inter-reef dispersal of reef fishes and many benthic invertebrates is likely in the central region of the Great Barrier Reef. Larvae are most abundant in spring-summer when currents on the outer shelf, where most of the coral reefs occur, are almost entirely unidirectional and southeastward (longshore). Net drift on the outer shelf at this time is likely to be greater, but the dispersion smaller, than that nearshore at the same time due to more extensive periodic reversals of water movement in the latter area than the former. Net drift on the outer shelf in winter will be significantly more restricted, but the dispersion greater, than in summer due to extensive periodic reversals of currents in this area during the trade wind (winter) season. These conclusions suggest that reefs within the Central Great Barrier Reef are biologically interconnected and interdependent; a result of considerable significance for management of reefs within the Great Barrier Reef marine park.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Institute of Marine Science, M.S.O. Townsville, P.M.B. No. 3, 4810, Queensland, Australia

    D. McB. Williams, E. Wolanski & J. C. Andrews

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  1. D. McB. Williams
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  2. E. Wolanski
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  3. J. C. Andrews
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Australian Institute of Marine Science Contribution No. 250

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Williams, D.M., Wolanski, E. & Andrews, J.C. Transport mechanisms and the potential movement of planktonic larvae in the central region of the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 3, 229–236 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288259

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