Growth Patterns in Long-Lived Coral Species

Abstract

The knowledge on the growth patterns of organisms constructing complex three-dimensional structures can help in understanding their role as engineering species. Growth and form of several sessile organisms are characterized by different properties; one of those is modularity. Trees in terrestrial habitats and corals in marine environments are sessile modular organisms where growth is regulated by similar processes. Part of forestry’s theoretical and practical framework on the study of growth can then be applied to the marine environment. The aim of this chapter is to present an overview of the different growth patterns of corals by applying some of the techniques developed for trees (e.g., annual growth ring count).