Seasonal growth and calcification of three species of crustose coralline algae in Moorea, French Polynesia

We conducted an in situ experiment to investigate the spatial and seasonal dynamics of crustose coralline algae (CCA) growth and calcification over a period of 15 months, on two reefs habitats (i.e., back reef and fore reef). Three CCA species were studied representative of different microhabitat preferences (i.e., exposed, subcryptic and cryptic species). 

We measured marginal and vertical growth, net calcification as well as tissue mortality, palling and the occurrence of epiphytes.