| As a contribution to understanding the potential impact of macroalgae on coral communities, this work evaluated the presence and dynamics of algae-coral interactions in two bays of the Santa Marta region. Two stations were sampled in Chengue Bay, located within the Tayrona Natural Park, and two other in the Santa Marta Bay which is adjacent to the city of Santa Marta. Three permanent 10 m belt transects were settled at each station, at which a total of 270 coral colonies were monitored monthly. Algae - coral interactions were recorded from each colony based on five categories defined by the distance between the coral tissue and the algal mat. A total of 1956 interactions were recorded, 67% of which corresponded to direct contacts, 22% to indirect contacts,... |
