Status or Beauty?

[michaljohn]

Spam Removed

 

[deaddat]

in the wild corals naturally crowd each other. they grow wherever they can. and like everything else, the dominant species will normally win out in a given territory.
there are places where you will many different species right next to each other, and places where you will see a single type dominate a given area.

additionally there those that have seen increased coral growth when the corals are placed closer to each other; based on the chemicals released by corals, this can stimulate growth as they race to grow faster than those around them.

This is interesting, any chance you have an article on this?

 

[divewsharks]

Article on which? Corals racing, no. that its based on observations from reefers I talk too (at least I don't have an article).

 

[walkthedog]

This is interesting, any chance you have an article on this?

I don't have an article on this either. But very true statements. For example.... When a forest burns by natural causes there is a natural cycle. If left along ... Weeds and shrubs come in first ... then Pine trees or other softwood trees grow back next. Then slowly hardwoods will fight for light and slowly move in to form a mixed forest..... finally if given time Hardwoods tend to take over and pines reduce in numbers. This video gets into it very briefly.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked...er-a-wildfire-a-forest-can-regrow-as-a-result

It is called Ecological succession. I'm sure it is the same in the reef enviroment. SPS make the back bone of the reef structure. Then others come in when the enviroment is suitable or favorable for them. As things are changed it can open niches for other species. So on and so forth

Some corals give off chemicals that can hurt or restrict other corals growth. Leathers are known to do this. Some corals just try to outgrow others. Caps do this all the time. They will grow out and around corals and can take light away from corals that grow slow. I have seen caps grow around other slower sps and just choke them of light. Others have a strong sting. Torches come to mind. Others grow tall and branch out and can steal flow from other corals. Thus, they win and can keep growing. GSP... They just grow very fast and try and take as much room as they can before any other corals take the space. Almost all corals have ways of making it.... They just need the right enviroment.

Here is a article that gives a general idea of what seccession is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_succession

Hope this helps somebody.