Coral Reef
by Lola Pappas
defintion and facts
a ridge of rock formed by the growth and the deposit of coral.
The great Barrier reef is one of the biggest reefs. It is located off of the coast of Queensland, Australia.
Abiotic factors
coral reefs thrive between the temperatures of 77 and 84. They survive in clear water with minimal sediments. It need light to breach the surface so that it can grow.
Biotic factors
Reefs are home to autotrophs that can produce photosynthesis. The most abundant primary consumer in the reefs are zoo plankton.
plants and animals
sea grass is found in the more shallow parts. These sea grass meadows are used as feeding areas or even breeding grounds.
There is also a variety of algae in the reefs. some of them help with the reefs survival. There are three basic types of algae: red, green and brown
There are two major types of animals in the reef: vertibrates and invertebrates
vertebrates:
- fishes
- sea snakes
- sea turtles
- manatees
invertebrates:
- sponges
- mollusks
- crustaceans
- echinoderms