Coral
rubble area
The coral rubble area is probably the richest part of Chek Jawa. It
is also the most fragile.
The area consists of a small, shallow lagoon protected by a small
sand bar. It is littered with broken bits and pieces of dead coral.
All kinds of seaweeds grow on the coral rubble. The resulting lush
miniature jungle provides food and shelter for small, shy animals.
The rubble also provides a place for immobile animals to grow, such
as sponges, ascidians, fan worms and colonial anemones.
How did the rubble form? Was there
a coral reef here before? What happened to it? Here
is an possible explanation.
Fragile Lagoon: Unlike the seagrass
lagoon, the coral rubble area is seldom totally exposed. This happens
only a few times each year at extremely low spring tides. Many of
the creatures that live here prefer to be submerged most of the time.
Delicate and immobile sea creatures like sponges and living corals
are more plentiful here. Thus the coral rubble area is more easily
damaged by careless trampling.
Even when the coral rubble area is submerged, you can still distinguish
the shallow area of that makes up the area. The deeper waters tend
to be darker blue while the coral rubble area is beige or lighter
blue.
|
|
Fragile Lagoon |
