DISTRIBUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL-CONTROL OF CORAL ASSEMBLAGES IN NORTHERN SAFAGA BAY (RED-SEA, EGYPT)

Coral assemblages in northern Safaga Bay, Red Sea, Egypt, are qualitat ively described. Nine distinct assemblages were found, which correspon d to quantitatively defined community types previously described from the area off Hurghada, northern Red Sea. Their distribution within nor thern Safaga Bay was mapped. Strong gradient and/or steep relief assem blages were: Acropora assemblage on windward (exposed) reefs, Porites assemblage on leeward (sheltered) reefs, Millepora assemblage on curre nt exposed reefs, Stylophora assemblage on reef flats. Low gradient an d/or low relief assemblages were: Acropora dominated coral patches in areas of good circulation to a depth of 15 m, Stylophora/Acropora cora l patch assemblages in shallow sheltered environments, faviid carpet i n low relief areas between 10 and 25 m which with increasing turbidity turns into a depauperate faviid carpet, Porites carpet in low relief areas between 5 and 15 m with clearest water, Sarcophyton carpet in lo w relief areas wi th high suspension load, platy scleractinian assembl age in deeper water (>25 m) with low light intensity. The distribution of coral assemblages depends basically on 1) topography 2) hydrodynam ics 3) light and 4) suspension load.