ALGAL GROWTH ON 2 SECTIONS OF A FRINGING CORAL-REEF SUBJECT TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EUTROPHICATION IN REUNION ISLAND

The temporal Variations in macroalgal coverage and biomass of two sect ors of a fringing reef complex in Reunion Island, subject to different levels of nutrient enrichment, were compared over eight months. Littl e difference was detected in the back reef zone, but in the narrow cor al strip zone the highly enriched site showed significantly higher cov erage, biomass and diversity of macroalgae throughout the whole study period. Differences in the levels of nutrient enrichment of the reef w aters of the two sites are implicated as potential reasons for the obs erved differences. The seasonal Variations of macroalgae on the reef, and aspects of several of the dominant algal species encountered are a lso discussed.