The results of the Indonesian-Dutch Snellius-II Expedition showed that several common concepts in reef biology need revision. From the scientific, conservational and economic point of view a more balanced development of tropical marine benthology is needed. There is considerable confusion over nomenclature in reef research. Even the term coral reef is not well defined. It should be used only in a geomorphological sense because it has no biological meaning. A reef, and particularly a complicated one like an atoll, may harbour a variety of benthic, demersal and even terrestrial communities. Highly diverse coral-dominated communities occur not only on reefs but also on primary substrata. Several reefs show little or no coral growth. Instead alcyonarians, sponges or algae may be the dominant life forms. Many reefs with a high coral cover show a very low diversity. Between-habitat diversity is high in Indonesian waters. Some reef communities are stable, others are short-lived. Disturbance or even complete destruction may belong to natural chains of events and should not automatically be blamed on human interference. Commonly held conceptions about nutrient-cycling properties and harvest potential of reef environments are not always applicable. Reef fisheries may become economically more important because fishing for pelagic stocks is a large component.
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