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Reef

Three main rocky reef classes are identified based on their profile. These classes include High profile reef, Medium profile reef, Low profile reef. An additional category defined as Patchy reef is based on the spatial structuring that results in distinct patches of reef between areas of unconsolidated substrate.

High Profile Reef

The term high profile reef is used when the apparent depth of hard substrate changes rapidly on the sounder. It usually coincides with steep underwater cliffs adjacent to or away from the coast but also includes areas of high rugosity where depth variation is greater than 4-10 m over short distances.

Medium Profile Reef

The term medium profile reef refers to areas where the bottom is hard and the relief changes regularly from 1-4 m over short distances.

Low Profile Reef

The term low profile reef refers to hard bottom type where there is very little change in the relief. This category occasionally overlaps with patchy reef and hard sand.

Patchy Reef

This category commonly occurs on the seaward side of coastal reef areas. It consists of reef elements including boulders and rocks, intermittently outcropping from unconsolidated sediments, principally sand.

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