Coral reefs-Location
Coral reefs are generally found in clear, tropical oceans. Coral reefs form in waters from the surface to about 45 metres deep because they need sunlight to survive. The three types of reefs include fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs occur along shorelines of continents and islands and are commonly found in Hawaii and the Caribbean. Barrier reefs are found farther offshore than fringing reefs, occurring most
often in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Atolls are a series of low coral islands surrounding a central lagoon, frequently found in the Indo-Pacific. The largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is longer than the distance between Seattle, WA and Los Angeles, CA!
often in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Atolls are a series of low coral islands surrounding a central lagoon, frequently found in the Indo-Pacific. The largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is longer than the distance between Seattle, WA and Los Angeles, CA!
Coral reefs-Producers
The sun is the source of energy for the coral reef ecosystem. Plant plankton called phytoplankton, algae, and other plants convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. As animals eat the plants and other animals,energy is passed through the food chain. Reef building corals work together
with microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae that live in their tissue. The zooxanthellae provide oxygen and food to the coral through photosynthesis. The coral polyp gives the algae a home, and the carbon dioxide it needs through respiration. Besides zooxanthellae, algae and sea grass are the main types of
plants in the coral reef ecosystem. These plants give food and oxygen to the animals that live on the reef. Sea grass is especially important because they provide shelter for juvenile reef animals like conch and lobster.
Respiration The action of breathing
Juvenile A young animal
with microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae that live in their tissue. The zooxanthellae provide oxygen and food to the coral through photosynthesis. The coral polyp gives the algae a home, and the carbon dioxide it needs through respiration. Besides zooxanthellae, algae and sea grass are the main types of
plants in the coral reef ecosystem. These plants give food and oxygen to the animals that live on the reef. Sea grass is especially important because they provide shelter for juvenile reef animals like conch and lobster.
Respiration The action of breathing
Juvenile A young animal
Coral reefs-Abiotic factors
Coral reefs need water that is between 20-28°C, which is often located along the eastern shores of the land. Reefs usually develop in areas that have a lot of wave action because the waves bring in food, nutrients, and oxygen to the reef. Reefs need calcium from the water to grow, which is more often available in shallow warm waters. Some of the abiotic factors in coral reefs are: light, salinity, depth, and wave motions.
Coral reefs-Biotic factors
Biotic factors of coral reefs are; many species of fish, turtles, mollusks, sea snakes, sponges, and polyps. The plants are: Algae, Anemones, sea grass, and sea lilies. Living things are also the most important of all factors in a coral reef.
Coral Reefs-Consumers
Primary Consumers- The second trophic level in coral reef ecosystems are primary consumers such as zooplankton, coral polyps, sponges, mollusks, sea urchins, starfish, and small fish. Secondary Consumers- The third trophic level in a coral reef ecosystem are the secondary consumers that eat primary consumers. These organisms typically include larger reef fish like Trigger fish, Parrot fish, Surgeon fish, lobsters and sea turtles. Tertiary Consumers- The fourth trophic level in a coral reef ecosystem are the tertiary consumers that eat the secondary consumers. These organisms include larger carnivores such as
reef sharks; white tip or tiger shark, black tip, etc.
Trophic Level The level of an organism in an ecosystem/food chain/food web
reef sharks; white tip or tiger shark, black tip, etc.
Trophic Level The level of an organism in an ecosystem/food chain/food web
Coral reefs-Decomposers
The decomposers found in coral reefs are the bacteria and fungi. They perform the function of breaking down complex organic matter in order to recycle matter. Decomposers are a very important group of biological organisms because they
prevent accumulation of waste in the ecosystem.
Complex Consisting of many different and connected parts
Accumulation A mass or quantity of something that has gradually gathered
prevent accumulation of waste in the ecosystem.
Complex Consisting of many different and connected parts
Accumulation A mass or quantity of something that has gradually gathered
Coral reefs-Environmental Concern
Coral reefs are being destroyed at an alarming rate. It is estimated that we have already lost 10% of the worlds reefs, and scientists say that in the next 50 years many of the coral reefs on earth will be gone. This destruction is often connected with human activity: pollution, sewage, erosion, irresponsible
fishing, poor tourism practices, and global warming. There are some simple things that you can do to help coral reefs. Don't put chemicals down your drain or on your lawn, instead use biodegradable products. Even though you may be far
from a coral reef ecosystem, these product's end up in the watershed and may eventually pollute waters that support coral. Conserve water, the less water you use, the less runoff and waste water eventually find their way into our
oceans.
fishing, poor tourism practices, and global warming. There are some simple things that you can do to help coral reefs. Don't put chemicals down your drain or on your lawn, instead use biodegradable products. Even though you may be far
from a coral reef ecosystem, these product's end up in the watershed and may eventually pollute waters that support coral. Conserve water, the less water you use, the less runoff and waste water eventually find their way into our
oceans.
Coral reef food web
Coral Reefs
Abiotic factors: Light, water, and wind.
Biotic factors: Fish, seaweed, crab, and squid.
Producers: Algae, sea plants, and seaweed.
Consumers: Fish, molluscs, starfish and eels.
Decomposers: Fan fish and flat worms.
Abiotic factors: Light, water, and wind.
Biotic factors: Fish, seaweed, crab, and squid.
Producers: Algae, sea plants, and seaweed.
Consumers: Fish, molluscs, starfish and eels.
Decomposers: Fan fish and flat worms.