| This study deals with the colonisation of experimental Porites blocks by epilithic and endolithic algal community in two atoll lagoons and two high-island lagoons in French Polynesia, exposed to different environmental conditions during a 5-year period. A qualitative analysis of the community (cyanobacteria and micro-algae) was carried out, and the relationship between the epilithic and endolithic strata observed. HPLC analysis of chlorophyll pigments was used to quantitatively determine the plant biomass, which was then compared to that of the algal turf of neighbouring reefs. The results show that these blocks are colonised according to two factors: the reef structure (atoll or high-island) and the degree of human disturbance. The epilithic and... |
