Colonized Deepwater/Coldwater Reef (Biotic Group)

Component: Biotic

Unique Identifier: 491

Biotic Setting	Benthic/Attached Biota
Biotic Class	Reef Biota
Biotic Subclass	Deepwater/Coldwater Coral Reef Biota
Biotic Group	Colonized Deepwater/Coldwater Reef
Biotic Community	Black Coral Colonized Deepwater/Coldwater Reef Gold Coral Colonized Deepwater/Coldwater Reef Gorgonian Colonized Deepwater/Coldwater Reef Mix Colonized Deepwater/Coldwater Reef Sponge Colonized Deepwater/Coldwater Reef

Description

Definition

Areas dominated by deepwater reefs where live reef building hard corals are present, but not clearly dominant. Cover is dominated by non-reef-forming biota, including black corals, gold corals, gorgonians, sponges, and other sedentary or attached macro-invertebrates. If no living reef-forming corals are present, then the biotic class is Faunal Bed.