Biotic factors for coral reefs

Biotic interactions govern the structure and function of coral reef ecosystems.

The reef covers an area over , square kilometers and includes a wide range of ocean depth, and it contains such biodiversity as to make it one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth. Much like any other ecosystem on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef relies on biotic and abiotic components to keep it functional and stable. Coral is the basis for the diverse animal and plant life in the Great Barrier Reef. Coral consists of polyps, which are very small creatures that reproduce to form colonies. These colonies of coral make up the reefs in this ecosystem. Polyps live inside shells comprised mostly of calcium carbonate, which is what most people identify as coral, as these shells are what remain behind after the polyps have died and form the structure of the reefs. Coral takes the form of antler, plate, fan or brain shapes, and groups of coral form a forest-like appearance.

Biotic factors for coral reefs

Coral reefs-Location Coral reefs are generally found in clear, tropical oceans. Coral reefs form in waters from the surface to about 45 metres deep because they need sunlight to survive. The three types of reefs include fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs occur along shorelines of continents and islands and are commonly found in Hawaii and the Caribbean. Barrier reefs are found farther offshore than fringing reefs, occurring most often in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Atolls are a series of low coral islands surrounding a central lagoon, frequently found in the Indo-Pacific. The sun is the source of energy for the coral reef ecosystem. Plant plankton called phytoplankton, algae, and other plants convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. As animals eat the plants and other animals,energy is passed through the food chain. Reef building corals work together with microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae that live in their tissue. The zooxanthellae provide oxygen and food to the coral through photosynthesis. The coral polyp gives the algae a home, and the carbon dioxide it needs through respiration.

Turbidity : Turbidity is the measure of the clarity of water.

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Coral reefs are home for many organisms such as sponges, fish including large nurse sharks and reef sharks to groupers , clownfish , eels , snappers , and parrotfish , jellyfish , anemones , crustaceans , other invertebrates and algae. So, how do coral reefs support such a huge weight on their shoulders? It is the symbiotic relationship that is formed when two different species interact with each other. These interactions create a balance within the ecosystem because at least one of the species is gaining from it. The other species may also gain from the relationship, be unaffected or even get harmed from the relationship. Symbiotic relationships are very common in the ocean, especially near coral reefs. There are three main types of symbiotic relationships. They are mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism. Mimicry is also frequently seen amongst coral reef organisms. There are two primary types of mutualism: obligate mutualism and facultative mutualism.

Biotic factors for coral reefs

The reef covers an area over , square kilometers and includes a wide range of ocean depth, and it contains such biodiversity as to make it one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth. Much like any other ecosystem on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef relies on biotic and abiotic components to keep it functional and stable. Coral is the basis for the diverse animal and plant life in the Great Barrier Reef. Coral consists of polyps, which are very small creatures that reproduce to form colonies. These colonies of coral make up the reefs in this ecosystem. Polyps live inside shells comprised mostly of calcium carbonate, which is what most people identify as coral, as these shells are what remain behind after the polyps have died and form the structure of the reefs. Coral takes the form of antler, plate, fan or brain shapes, and groups of coral form a forest-like appearance.

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This large body of water is an estuarine area where seawater mixes with freshwater. Medical Statistics and Methodology. Musical Scores, Lyrics, and Libretti. Dissolved gases — oxygen O2 , nitrogen N2 , carbon dioxide CO2 , etc. The principles of classification and a classification of mammals. Financial Markets. Light penetrates the ocean surface only about 20 meters. Front Ecol Environ. Environmentalist Thought and Ideology Social Science. Description of the Four Types of Aquatic Ecosystems. Graham M. A systematic review of spatial habitat associations and modeling of marine fish distribution: a guide to predictors, methods, and knowledge gaps. On a coral reef, space can be very limited and corals must compete with sponges, macroalgae seaweed , and even other coral species.

Biotic factors in the coral reef ecosystem are; reef-producers, herbivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous consumers, as well as reef-decomposers. It must be noted that coral reefs are not always considered to be ecosystems, but in some cases could be viewed as micro-ecosystems because they fall within marine ecosystems , or oceans. This article discusses biotic factors in the coral reef ecosystem, as follows;.

Classical Mythology. Language Learning Specific Skills. Biblical Studies. Sci Rep. My ecosystem is an aquatic one. Popular Health. Classical Philosophy. Curr Opin Environ Sustain. AWS pricing is incredibly complex and can result in some users overblowing their budgets very easily. Religion and Science. Additionally, corals can be smothered by sediments or particles that settle on top of the corals.