REEF ECOSYSTEM

CORAL POLYPS

WHAT IS CORAL?

• Colony of many individuals or polyps
• Calcium carbonate skeleton left after they die- calicle
• Symbiotic relationship with billions of zooxanthellae algae
• Algae lives in polyps, undergoes photosynthesis, provides energy
• Polyps provide protection and access to sunlight

1/4 to 12 inches



Also feed on phytoplankton, zooplankton, and small fish

shallow, clear water for sunlight




tropical or sub-tropical temperatures

TYPES OF REEFS

• Fringing reefs- project seaward directly from the shore
• Barrier reefs- platforms separated from the adjacent land
• Atolls- rest on the tops of submerged volcanoes

Untitled Slide

• Beginning of food chain
• Algae is autotrophic
• Cover less than1% of ocean floor
• Support about 25% of marine species

EFFECTS OF POLLUTION

• Clear water is needed for zooxanthellae to photosynthesize
• Without zooxanthellae coral dies- "coral bleaching"
• Global warming causes rising water temperatures
• "Crown of thorns" starfish eats coral- invasive
• Chemicals from land sources, factory runoff, pesticides

SOURCES

• http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/coral/
• http://seaworld.org/en/animal-info/animal-infobooks/coral-and-coral-reefs/r...
• http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/habitat/coral_index.cfm
• http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/about/ecosystems/coralwelcome.html