1. BIOME PROJECT: Coral Reef
By: Megan Galvin

2. 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
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3. 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
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4. 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 PSU
Abiotic limiting factors
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5. 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
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6. 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

7. 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

8. citations