Sand Key shallows, 06/18/01, image
17
#1 It breaks and gets tossed about during periods
of rough weather, when inundated by herds of novice
snorkelers or is subject to a boat grounding.If a
fragmented piece of coral lands in a favorable position
it will fuse to the bottom and continue to grow. This
method of growth is called 'fragmentation'. However,
continued exposure to physical assults reduces successful
new coral growth.
#2 It buds like a flower and expands in size developing
into branches. In image 17 the white edge around the
outer boundaries of the living coral and the budding
white tips, on the ends of the small new branches,
are new growth.
#3 It releases sperm and eggs once a year, that
when fertilized, can colonize the area they descend
upon. Most of the reefs in the Keys are built upon
piles of elkhorn coral rubble, thousands of years
old, making this the most important species of coral
in the Florida Keys.
Besides being battered by storms, novice snorkelers
and boats, there is a snail that likes to eat elkhorn
coral, the coralphilia (see coral stress).
