Low Isles
Sand Cay Formation
Sand cays form on top of existing reefs. They are basically large piles of sand, coral rubble and broken shells that have been pushed onto the leeward or calm side, of a reef flat by wave action.
As the pile grows, plant seeds wash or are brought by birds onto the island. These seeds germinate, and the subsequent trees proceed to lock the sand together by their root systems. If conditions are just right, over time a complex ecology can develop.
Age of the reef and Islands
Scientists know that Great Barrier Reef and subsequent sand cays have formed since the last Ice Age ended about15000 years ago. It is estimated that the Low isles reef is approximately 10,00 years old and the Isles approximately 4,000 to 6,000 years old.
Marine Life on the Low Isles Reef
There are two major habitats around Low isles – the sea grass beds and the reef itself.
The Low Isles reef is a healthy robust reef system, home to about 190 different types of hard coral and over 100 types of soft coral polyps, the reef builders that create the Great Barrier Reef. These corals range from the fragile gorgonian fan corals, branching stag horn coral, plate corals, brain and mushroom corals to name a few types of coral found on Low Isles reef.
