Coral and biogenic reef habitats

Coral reefs are among the best-known marine habitats in the WIO. They are found throughout the region where rocky substrata occur between about 0 and 50 m depth, and water clarity and quality are adequate to give them a competitive edge through their symbiosis with zooxanthellae living within their tissues. The distribution of coral reefs in the WIO is relatively well known, comprising four main classes of reef: fringing reefs are found around all the islands and along the East African coast; barrier reefs are most strongly developed at Tulear (Madagascar) and around Mayotte (which also has a second/inner barrier within its lagoon); atolls are found in the Seychelles (eg Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Farquhar, Alphonse) and Mozambique Channel (Europa, Bassas da India and the submerged atolls of Zélée and Geyser); and numerous coral banks, such as those along the continental coastline (eg at Malindi, Kenya; Leven and Castor, NW Madagascar; Africa Bank, Mozambique), and the very large oceanic banks of the Mascarene Plateau (Cargados Cajaros, Nazareth and Saya de Malha), and the North Seychelles Bank.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Climate Action

Life Below Water