WATER

Water Water is what makes up the oceans, which is where we find coral reefs. Water is a major life source for most living organisms– fish, plants, humans, coral, and many more organisms depend on it for their survival. Abiotic/non-living

SUNLIGHT

Sunlight The sun is another life source for many organisms! The sun provides the energy for plants to live and grow (and do photosynthesis- in which they make oxygen for us to breathe). That energy is passed up the food chain when another organism eats a plant. The sun also provides heat to the Earth’s surface. Most coral reefs are found near the equator, where the strength of the sunlight is very strong- making the water warm. Abiotic/non-living

SAND

Sand Sand is made on coral reefs when some fish, like parrotfish, eat bits of coral, digest it, and pass it out as sand. Many organisms also find their homes in the sand- some types of fish, and even stingrays, take shelter in the sand to hide from predators. Abiotic/non-living

NUTRIENTS Nitrogen Phosphorous (Salt) Potassium

Nutrients Nutrients are important for plants and animals to grow. When there is enough nutrients in the seawater near coral reefs, lots of algae can grow and reproduce to make more algae. Abiotic/non-living

Algae

Algae Algae is a type of plant on a reef. Even though it is underwater, algae gets it’s energy from the sun, and uses sunlight and nutrients from the water to grow. Most algae will grow to be either green, brown on red and is also called “macroalgae”. Algae is an important food source for other organisms– especially sea urchins and parrotfish. However, when there is too much algae growing on the reef, there is not enough space for the coral to grow. Biotic/living

Symbiotic algae

Symbiotic algae Symbtiotic algae (called zooxanthellae) is the tiny, tiny type of algae that lives in a coral polyp. It gets it’s energy from the sun and uses it to make food (sugars) for corals. In return, the algae get a safe place to live. Biotic/living

Elkhorn coral

Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) I am a type of hard coral species. I help to build the reef by secreting my hard, stony skeleton .Like all corals, I provide a home for the tiny symbiotic algae. I am also one of the most important types of coral on a reef. Just like a big tree, I have many branches which provides an important shelter for fish and other animals living on the reef. Therefore, I act like a home for many types of fish. Biotic/living

Brain coral

Brain coral (Diploria strigosa) I am a type of hard coral species. I help to build the reef by secreting my hard, stony skeleton. Like all corals, I provide a home for the tiny symbiotic algae. Worms and tiny fish can also hide in the ridges of my skeleton. I also protect the reef from strong wind and big waves. Biotic/living

Sea urchin

Sea urchin I am a type of herbivore (plant eater), meaning I eat algae on the reef. This is important because when I eat the algae, it clears space for the corals to grow. Biotic/living

Parrotfish

Parrotfish I am a type of tropical fish that lives on coral reefs. I’m named “parrotfish” because of my strong beak that looks similar to a parrots! With this beak I eat algae, and sometimes coral polyps or sponges, off the reef. However, from eating coral, my waste actually adds sand back to the ecosystem. I consider the coral reef my home and use many of the larger branching corals to hide from being eaten. Biotic/living

Foureye Butterflyfish

Foureye Butterflyfish I am one of the most beautiful fish on the reef! They call me “foureye” because in addition to my 2 regular eyes, I have two dark spots on my back that are meant to look like eyes. This way, I can confuse predators and escape being eaten! You can find me swimming in and around the corals, using them as a safe home. I am an omnivore, meaning I will eat almost anything, including coral polyps, worms, and other small invertebrates. Biotic/living

Reef Shark

Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezii) I am a top predator on the reef and spend my time hunting for fish, squid, and crabs or lobster. By doing this I help keep reef populations in check. I can swim for long distances, often moving from reef to reef. Biotic/living

Human (fisher)

Human Some humans live directly next to coral reefs and depend on the reef for their source of food (fish, lobsters, crabs). Many other humans live far away from coral reefs, but still benefit from the services they provide (such as seafood, protecting coastlines from storms, and tourism- by going to visit and snorkel on the reef). Biotic/living