David,
I guess it depends on what part of the "dead reef" you were walking on and whether the reef was a bank barrier or a fringing type.  If it was really shallow, near the crest of a fringing reef, it could have been cyanobacterial mats they were protecting.  Those really are fragile.  On a bank/barrier, it could have been something to do with a corraline algae, which often binds and cements the sediment at the top of the reef.

You are probably better off snorkling if its deep enough in such settings as I've experienced similar restrictions doing work in protected seagrass beds.

CF
---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2006 14:05:08 -0400
>From: David Kirsh <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: dead reef walking?
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>Thanks for your response, David. It seems to me that even if there are micro-organisms that are performing some sort of restorative function (e.g., fertilizing the interstices of the coral slabs so that mangroves or other plants can provide a better barrier), the micro-organisms would be reproducing so copiously that trampling would hardly alter the process.
>
>Well, the guy had a gun in his belt so I wasn't going to argue too much.
>
>David Kirsh
>
>-----Original Message-----
>>From: David Campbell <[log in to unmask]>
>
>>
>>There are microorganisms everywhere on earth and well into it.  Probably
>>some are harmed by almost every step one takes.
>>
>>On the other hand, there might be something unusual that had been found at
>>that site.  However, it sounds suspiciously as though someone was afraid
>>that letting people walk on a dead reef area would lead to trampling of live
>>reef, or perhaps that someone didn't think the average fisheries personnel
>>could tell the difference between live and dead reef for enforcement
>>purposes.
>>
>
>
>"When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal." - Richard Milhous Nixon
>
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Chad Ferguson
500 Geology/Physics
University of Cincinnati
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