Antecedent Karst Morphology and Future Responses to the Changing Environment
摘要
The antecedent karst morphologyAntecedent karst morphology is studied in this chapter, in which the reef facies topographic patterns (highs and lows) of the islands are considered in stimulating the accumulation rates of reef sediments in paleo-oceanographic environmentsPaleo-oceanographic environments and the formation of reef margin benchesReef margin benches at different depths. The antecedent platform theory also holds the mechanism of origin of coral reefsCoral reefs under past sea level variations in the tropical seas. The presence of antecedent topographic features of islands hence influenced the growth and patterns of modern coral reefCoral reefs complexesReef complexes in the region. GEBCO bathymetry data is used to identify the antecedent topographic features of the island fringe environment in this chapter. Various karst featuresKarst features of the island coasts are explored to highlight their sites as potential geo-tourism development areas in the region. The chapter also demonstrated how the coral fringe karstification islands responded to the physical impacts of the 2004 tsunami and the great earthquake in AndamanGreat earthquake in Andaman. Types of bio-encrustationsBio-encrustation and their impacts are assessed on the carbonate platforms, and the nature of wooded islandsWooded islands on reef platforms is also considered to explain the growth patterns of modern coral reef islandsModern coral reef islands in the region. The future responses of the karstified coastsKarstified coasts and interior islands to the changing environment are also considered to express the future climate change impacts on the littoral vegetationsLittoral vegetations and coral reefsCoral reefs, carbon balanceCarbon balance and carbon stocksCarbon stocks in the phytokarst landformsPhytokarst landforms, ecosystem functioningEcosystem functioning and human wellbeing in the island platforms in this chapter.