Coral Reef Report Card 2020

The 2020 Coral Reef Report Card for Barbados has been published and is available for review.

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Glossary of Terms

Sea

A large body of salt water, second in rank to an ocean, more or less landlocked and generally part of, or connected with, an ocean or a larger sea. Examples: Mediterranean Sea; South China Sea.

Waves caused by wind at the place and time of observation.
State of the ocean surface, in regard to waves.

Reference Point

A specified location (in plan elevation) to which measurements are refered.

In beach material studies, a specified point within the reference zone.

Biomass

The mass of living matter per unit of habitat (e.g. volume of water or area of bottom). Also referred to as standing crop or standing stock.

Rock

An aggregate of one or more minerals; or a body of undifferentiated mineral matter. The three classes of rocks are: (a) igneous - crystalline rocks formed from molten material (e.g. granite and basalt); (b) sedimentary - resulting from the consolidation of loose sediment that has accumulated in layers (e.g. sandstone, shale and limestone); (c) metamorphic - formed from pre-exisiting rock as a result of burial, heat and pressure.

Upstream

A long coasts with obliquely approaching waves there is a longshore (wave-driven) current. For this current one can define an upstream and a downstream direction.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A process by which the consequences of planned development projects are evaluated as an integral part of planning the project.

The analysis of biological, physical, social and economic factors to determine the environmental and social consequences of a proposed development action. The goal of the EIA is to provide policy makers with the best available information in order to minimize economic costs and maximize benefits associated with a proposed development.

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Coral Reef Report Card 2020