Three parallel submarine terraces found along the southeast coast of Florida, stretching from Miami through Palm Beach County, are described. The central portion of this area near southern Palm Beach County was analyzed with respect to geomorphology, community composition, and zonation from the low-tide mark to a depth of 50 m. Twenty seven species of scleractinian corals and 39 species of gorgonians are found here and define a typical coral-reef community farther north than has been acknowledged. Gorgonian diversity is maximal at a depth of 15-20 m, while scleractinians are most diverse in shallower water. Studies of gorgonian biomass indicate a trend toward large numbers of small individuals in low-diversity environments, and a smaller number of larger individuals in higher-diversity environments. A mean density of 25.1 colonies jm2 gives these reefs the highest concentration of gorgonians yet recorded in the Caribbean region.

Depth range
0- 50 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
1 x (total of 6325 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'

Fields
Community structure
Ecology
Geomorphology

Focusgroups
Octocorallia (Soft Corals)
Overall benthic (groups)
Scleractinia (Hard Corals)

Locations
USA - Continental Atlantic Ocean

Platforms
SCUBA (open-circuit or unspecified)