Marine Biology 10th Edition by Peter Castro,Michael Huber

Exercise 3

There are only a few reefs off the northeast coast of Brazil (see map in Fig. 14.11), even though it lies in the tropics. How would you explain this?
FIGURE 14.11 The distribution of reef coral communities, including those that do not form structural reefs. Note that the distribution of reef corals, like that of kelps, is related to temperature. Reef corals require warm water, however, while kelps need cold water. Compare the distribution of reefs with that of kelps shown in Figure 13.22. Note that because of warm surface currents corals extend further north and south on the east sides of continents than on the west sides.