DARWIN'S Coral Reef Research - a Review and Tribute |
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| Authors: | Dietrich H H Kuhlmann |
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| Institution: | Museum of Natural History of the Humboldt University, 1040 Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, German Democratic Republic |
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| Abstract: | Abstract. In rememberance of the death of CHARLES DARWIN 100 years ago, a review is given on his coral reef research from the point of view of present knowledge. Although during DARWIN'S time no one was aware of the changing level of the glacial sea or of the important function of the symbiotic zooxanthellae in the life of hermatypic corals, his observations and considerations on the ecology of corals and on the formation of coral reefs are relevant to this day. But of course his ideas need new causal interpretations. The origin of the different reef types can no longer be explained by subsidence alone, but by different modes biologists and geologists described during the following century. To summarize all the many existing theories, the all enclosing "theory of compensation" is put forward here in honour of this great man. |
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| Keywords: | Ch Darwin coral reefs reef types reef theories ecology of reef corals |
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