Abstract
This paper compares metabolic budgets in two areas of the Saint-Gilles/La Saline fringing reef (Reunion Island). The control zone is characterized by flourishing Acropora communities. On the other hand, coral mortality and macroalgal surface cover are high at Planch'Alizés, where the back reef is anthropogenically enriched with nutrients due to groundwater discharge. Community gross primary production is higher and calcification lower on the Planch'Alizés reef flat compared to Toboggan. Data suggest that nutrient availability is enhanced at Planch'Alizés by oxidation of exogenous organic matter which may originate from the back reef. This could relate eutrophication on the Planch'Alizés reef flat to an indirect impact of groundwater discharge.
Published Version
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