Linear breakwater reefs of the greater Caribbean: Classification, distribution & morphology.

Geomorphic differences among Caribbean reefs have long been noted. These differences are considered to reflect the presence of reefs in different stages of development, following an incomplete recovery from rapid deglacial sea-level rise. But the possibility that these reflect real developmental differences caused by variation in wind, wave, and climate regime, has never been fully considered.

The role of geomorphic zonation in long-term changes in coral-community structure on a Caribbean fringing reef.

Ecological processes on coral reefs commonly have limited spatial and temporal scales and may not be recorded in their long-term geological history. The widespread degradation of Caribbean coral reefs over the last 40 years therefore provides an opportunity to assess the impact of more significant ecological changes on the geological and geomorphic structure of reefs. Here, we document the changing ecology of communities in a coral reef seascape within the context of its geomorphic zonation.

Faunal mortality associated with massive beaching and decomposition of pelagic Sargassum.

In 2018, the Mexican Caribbean coast received a massive influx of pelagic Sargassum spp. that accumulated and decayed on beaches producing organic decomposition products that made the water turbid and brown. Between May and September of the same year there were several reports of mass mortality of marine biota in this area.