hardbottom

Scattered dead coral outcroppings supporting sparse hardbottom biota are dispersed in seagrass beds, marking the landward edge of the bank reef community.

Coral reefs in Florida 2007

The monument's vulnerable floral and faunal communities live in a fragile, interdependent relationship and include habitats essential for sustaining the tropical marine ecosystem: coral reefs, sea grass beds, octocoral hardbottom, sand communities, algal plains, shelf edge, and oceanic habitats.

Proclamation On Buck Island Reef National Monument Clinton, Bill, 1946- 2001

As they mature over months or years, they move offshore and take up residence in the deeper coral reefs, octocoral hardbottom, and algal plains.

Proclamation On Buck Island Reef National Monument Clinton, Bill, 1946- 2001

The biological communities of the monument live in a fragile, interdependent relationship and include habitats essential for sustaining and enhancing the tropical marine ecosystem: mangroves, sea grass beds, coral reefs, octocoral hardbottom, sand communities, shallow mud and fine sediment habitat, and algal plains.

Proclamation On The Virgin Islands Coral Reef Clinton, Bill, 1946- 2001

As they mature, they move offshore and take up residence in the deeper coral patch reefs, octocoral hardbottom, and algal plains of the submerged monument lands to the south and north of St. John.

Proclamation On The Virgin Islands Coral Reef Clinton, Bill, 1946- 2001

The fishery habitats, deeper coral reefs, octocoral hardbottom, and algal plains of the monument are all objects of scientific interest and essential to the long-term sustenance of the tropical marine ecosystem.

Proclamation On The Virgin Islands Coral Reef Clinton, Bill, 1946- 2001