Coral Reef Brian Bingay Haley Reinlieb Kieran Mangels Kelly Briscoe

Ecosystem The term ecosystems refers to the combined chemical and biological components of an environment. An ecosystem is generally an area within the natural environment in which physical (abiotic) factors of the environment, such as rocks and soil, function together along with interdependent (biotic) organisms, such as plants and animals, within the same habitat. Ecosystems can be permanent or temporary. Ecosystems usually form a number of food webs.

Abiotic Components The coral reef is usually found in areas that have similar Abiotic features. This is because the algae and other photosynthetic organisms depend on its surroundings to photosynthesize. They need sunlight to make their nutrients. Salinity: Their salinity is parts per thousand. reef-building corals are confined to waters that exhibit a narrow band of characteristics. The water must be warm, clear, and saline. Because of their dependence on light, reef corals require clear water. Thus, coral reefs generally are found only where the surrounding water contains small amounts of suspended material, i.e., in water of low turbidity and low productivity. Thus, corals prefer waters that are nutrient-poor, yet paradoxically, are among the most productive of marine environments