engineering projects, precautions should be taken to preserve the 

 ecological integrity of these areas. This is particularly important 

 where dredging or filling is conducted near coral reefs. Sandy- 

 bottom habitats are populated primarily by small, short-lived 

 organisms with great reproductive potential; consequently, these 

 communities recover rather quickly from environmental disturbances. 

 Rocky outcrops and coral reefs, on the other hand, provide a 

 substrate and shelter for a great many larger organisms and longer 

 living colonial forms, such as sponges, alcyonarians , and stony 

 corals, which are highly susceptible to siltation or scouring and 

 are incapable of repopulating quickly following a disturbance. 



To assess the environmental impact of beach nourishment, 

 these projects should be preceded by quantitative surveys of the 

 project area. Surveillance of nearby reefs should also be maintained 

 during dredging, followed by postnourishment surveys of these same 

 areas. IVhere possible, photographic documentation should be pro- 

 vided. 



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