Tropical Coral Reefs.
What is the coral reef system?
The Coral Reef ecosystem is a diverse collection of species that interact with each other and the physical environment. The Sun is an initial source of energy for this ecosystem. Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton, algae, and other plants convert light into chemical energy. As animals eat plants or other animals, a portion of this energy is passed on.
What are some interesting facts?
- Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.
- About one-third of all marine fish species live part of their lives on coral reefs.
- Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and provide billions of dollars of food and jobs every year to people around the world.
- Coral reefs are found all around the world in tropical and subtropical oceans.
- Coral reef biomes must exist in shallow water because they must remain between 77 to 84° F. Shallow water is easier to keep warm by the Sun than deeper water.
What are some interesting facts about Tropical coral reefs?
- Corals are not plants. They're actually animals and are are, amazingly enough, relatives of jellyfish and anemones.
- Reefs formed by corals are one of the most bio diverse marine areas on the planet.
- Coral reefs are one of the world's most colorful and diverse ecosystems, and though they cover only about 1 percent of the ocean floor.
- nearly 60 percent of the world's coral reefs are threatened by human activity.
Where can you find Tropical coral reefs?
Coral reefs flourish in shallow areas (less than 120ft, or 37m) in tropical latitudes, or where warm ocean currents flow into more temperate areas. In Florida, tropical coral reefs can be found near the keys around each island. There is a famous coral reef in Florida called "Great Florida Reef" located in the Florida keys.
what are some abiotic & biotic factors in a tropical coral reef?
Abiotic
- Oxygen
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
- Sand
- Rocks
- Shells
- Temperature (Average - 75.4 F)
- Sunlight
- Waves
- Nutrients
- Minerals
Biotic
- Octopi
- Sharks
- Whales
- Algae
- Coral
- Turtles
- Anemones
- Sponges
- Mollusks
- Zooplankton
- Bacteria
- Moss
- Eels
- Seagrass
- Oyster
- Crabs
- Manatees
- Shrimp
What is the apex predator in a tropical coral reef?
The apex predator is the tropical coral reef shark.
Tropical CORAL REEF SHARK
Cool things about the Tropical coral reef shark.
- The Reef Shark, plays an extremely important role in the Earth’s ecosystem.
- The reef shark only grows to about 1.6 to 3 meters (5 to 10 feet) in length.
- The reef sharks are the apex predators on the very delicate coral reefs,they are the top of the food chain.
- They are a larger threat to reef divers than any other shark and are considered to be moderately dangerous to humans.
what is the importance of water to a tropical coral reef?
- They provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish. Without coral reefs, these fish are left homeless with nowhere to live and no where to have their babies.
- They also make beautiful pets and the money made by catching and selling these animals provides many people with an income so that they can feed their families.
- Without water in coral reefs, there would be no reef. It would be dangerous for fishes to not have a coral reef because coral reefs provide shelter and protection.