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On the small-scale fractal geometrical structure of a living coral reef barrier |
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| Authors: | Damien Sous Frédéric Bouchette Erik Doerflinger Samuel Meulé Raphael Certain Gwladys Toulemonde Benjamin Dubarbier Bernard Salvat |
| Institution: | 1. Université de Toulon, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), La Garde, France;2. GEOSCIENCES-M, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
GLADYS, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Le Grau du Roi, France;3. GEOSCIENCES-M, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France;4. IRD, INRA, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Aix-en-Provence, France;5. CEFREM UMR-CNRS 5110, Perpignan, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, France;6. IMAG, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France LEMON, Inria, Montpellier, France;7. GLADYS, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Le Grau du Roi, France;8. PSL-EPHE, CRIOBE, CNRS - UPVD - USR 3278, Université de Perpignan, France |
| Abstract: | The topographical complexity of coral reefs is of primary importance for a number of hydrodynamical and ecological processes. The present study is based on a series of high-resolution seabottom elevation measurements along the Maupiti Barrier Reef, French Polynesia. Several statistical metrics and spectral analysis are used to characterize the spatial evolution of the coral geometrical structure from the reef crest to the backreef. A consistent fractal-like power law exists in the spectral density of bottom elevation for length scales between 0.1 and 7 m, while at larger scale, the reef structure shows a different pattern. Such a fine characterization of the reef geometrical structure provides key elements to reconstruct the reef history, to improve the representation of reef roughness in hydrodynamical models and to monitor the evolution of coral reef systems in the context of global change. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| Keywords: | coral reef high-resolution bathymetry fractal law roughness volcanic island |