Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon in which corals under stress (e.g., by elevated water temperature) expel their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) in large numbers, or the concentration of algal photosynthetic pigments decreases. As a result, the corals' white skeletons show through their tissue and they appear bleached.

Glossary of Terms

Fauna

The entire group of animals found in an area.

Swash Zone

The zone of wave action on the beach, which moves as water levels vary, extending from the limit of run-down to the limit of run-up.

Groyne

Narrow, roughly shore-normal structure built to reduce longshore currents, and/or to trap and retain littoral material. Most groins are of rock and extend from the backshore, well onto the foreshore and rarely even further offshore.

Runup, rundown

The upper and lower levels reached by a wave on a beach or coastal structure, relative to still-water level.

Building Setback

The county required seaward limit of major construction for a coastal property. Building setbacks in Barbados are set at 30m (100 feet) from the high water mark for beaches and 10m (30 feet) for cliffs measured from the landward point of under cut.

Survey, control

A survey that provides coordinates (horizontal or vertical) of points to which supplementary surveys are adjusted.

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Coral Bleaching