| The
Moreton Bay area is comprised of inshore and offshore waters that
differ substantially in abiotic factors, such as salinity, temperature,
turbidity and sedimentation. Both inshore and offshore coral reefs
of Moreton Bay are of high ecological, economic and educational
value, they are frequently visited for recreational, commercial
and educational purposes.
Inshore water temperatures vary from 12.5 to 32°C, salinity
is also variable and turbidity and sedimentation is relatively high
most of the year. During floods, turbidity levels are extremely
high and salinity can decrease to 2-9‰ in the western Bay.
Despite these extreme fluctuations and conditions, both soft and
hard corals communities are well represented. The coral communities
of inshore Moreton Bay have 42 species and are dominated by Faviidae,
a family of corals well adapted to relatively high levels of sedimentation
and turbidity. In the western Bay, Peel Island has the richest species
diversity and abundance.
Offshore from Moreton Bay water temperatures range from 18 to 26°C,
turbidity and sedimentation is low and salinity stable. Coral diversity
offshore Moreton Bay is quite high with 119 species. |
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