BIOME PROJECT: Coral Reef By: Megan Galvin

Coral reefs are the world's most productive marine ecosystem Tiny symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) convert sunlight and nutrients into fuel for growth and production They provide structural habitats for many species Sunlight is critical to the health of coral reefs productivity https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiqxo7eyIjeAhUSSq0KHfEmD bwQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbio390parasitology.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F03%2Fmarried-to-symbiodinium- and.html&psig=AOvVaw2_ijHWPrLpSbBlYxUKAtpm&ust=1539697067651994

There are three major plant life types: algae, seagrass, and mangroves Although they make up only 1 percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs house 25 percent of life in the ocean Which includes, but is not limited to: some shark species, jellyfish, horseshoe crabs, oysters, mollusks, sea horse, sea shrimp, sea turtle, stingray The most important part of these animals is they form symbiotic relationships while living on the coral reef Major life forms https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjZ89rNyYjeAhVDnq0KHVHaADs QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.nature.org%2Fconservancy%2F2017%2F08%2F08%2Fmangroves-a-star-player-in-the-coastal- protection-game%2F&psig=AOvVaw0S_0zuNB_cEKfjj2xdyxUr&ust=1539697269453997

Abiotic limiting factors Temperature: To survive, the water temperature needs to be about 22-29 degrees Celsius Light: Coral reefs need light present to accomplish photosynthesis to keep the food chain healthy.  Salinity: The salt levels need to stay between roughly 32-40 PSU Abiotic limiting factors https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjO2LuTyoje AhVPIKwKHUwwBN8QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shutterstock.com%2Fsearch%2Funderwater%2Bc oral&psig=AOvVaw3hnY8bCRnjXlpa086kh7-h&ust=1539697428218625

Coral reefs have been used to help create medicine for diseases such as cancer and arthritis They act as a water filter and trap debris from the surrounding area to ensure there is clean water Coral reefs grow in water with strong currents and wave patterns because it delivers more food for the ecosystem It also manages carbon monoxide levels Special features https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OACtHZY-eDew1SfenP9u4xnNTU8fjPAWhcVLNZJlgLlfmb- LnYvfRQRnMKKvn1E376uDKNHO_SOotXlnFy_N7ek

Since the coral reef is underwater, sunlight is captured by algae and they perform photosynthesis to get oxygen for the polyps (the coral reef is a collection of animals not a plant) Plant adaptation http://www.justscience.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/what-is-the-biology-and-ecology-of-the-coral-reef.jpg

Cnidarians are the life forms that secrete protective substances that make up the solid base of the coral reef They are polyps, so they are stationary They like between 23 and 29 degrees celcius, 32 to 42 parts salinity, and clear water so that sunliight can penetrate at least 70 meters Animal adaptation http://www.oikonos.org/apfieldguide/album/Cnidaria/Anthozoa/UID%20spp/slides/UID%20anthozoan%20007.jpg

citations https://www.slideshare.net/jitenderanduat/productivity-of-coral-reefs-46251474  https://www.eartheclipse.com/ecosystem/coral-reef-biome.html http://www.untamedscience.com/biology/biomes/coral-reefs-biome/ https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/top-25-coral-reef-facts.php https://www.msnucleus.org/membership/html/jh/biological/cnidaria/lesson4/cnidaria4a.html https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral05_distribution.html