Note
Cocos lagoon is described as a barrier reef enclosed ecosystem located at the foot
of the southern mountain range on the island of Guam. The lagoon is shown to comprise
a diverse array of environments and is considered to be an important natural recreation
and fishery resource to the island.
Six distinct fish communities in six biotopes are investigated. One biotope is included
from outside the barrier for comparing lagoon communities with an open ocean reef
community. The lagoon biotopes discussed are the coral-rich walls of Mamaon and
Manell channels, the lagoon patch reefs, the barrier reef flat, the seagrass beds including
Halodule and Enhalus species, and the sand bottoms of the lagoon floor and channels.