bioerosion

“These include mechanical processes such as waves and currents, and a wide array of biological processes (e.g., bioerosion).”

Coral reef

“Some of the best known bioeroders are large organisms such as parrotfish and sponges, but much of the bioerosion occurs at the microscopic scale by organisms such as algae and fungi.”

Coral reef

“In Mozambique and southern Tanzania, there have been increased rates of reef erosion, due in part to the bioerosion of dead coral tables and plates.”

Southern Africa and coastal and marine environments

“Although there are signs of recovery of the coral communities, it is also evident that the bioerosion caused by sea urchins was so intense in some sites (such as Bahía Chatham), that the foundations of the coral have been severely weakened.”

Isla del Coco Marine and Terrestrial Conservation Area, Costa Rica

“Repeated episodes of abrasion and minor bioerosion with modest levels of sorting characterize the taphonomy of the phosphate conglomerate and are consistent with a shallow-marine-to-brackish-water depositional environment between fair-weather and storm-wave base.”

Archive 2008-03-01

“According to the paleontologists, the presence of bioerosion structures indicates that the contents of the bones were used as an extraordinary source of nutrients, possibly by decapod crustaceans.”

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