This type of colonization may occur on the reef if a reef's surface is scraped, or by removal of plants and animals, through some type of human activity or through heavy storm activity. To some extent, secondary colonization occurs every spring on reefs in B.C. through larvae 'raining' down from the plankton layer where most plants and animals spend the first part of their life. This type of secondary colonization is typically on a smaller scale as space is freed up on a reef when an individual organism or a small patch of organisms dies off, and competition for the opening occurs. Also, pollution in the form of heavy metals and chemical pollution can have toxic effects on marine life. Diving traffic on reefs has been claimed to result in adverse effects to plants and animals.
Breakwaters can alter current patterns and sediment deposition.
The data are stored in an MS Access database. You will be able to get a copy of the database and enter your own data into it. Once entered, you will be able to create data summary reports directly from the database. Your monitoring group will always be able to keep the data you've collected, but it is also to be shared with Fisheries and Oceans Canada for comparison with other projects. The data you collect along with data from other survey groups will be analyzed by scientists at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.