CORAL REEFS ECOSYSTEM

Coral reefs are warm,

clear, shallow ocean
habitats that are rich in
life. The reef's
enormous structure is
formed from coral
polyps, tiny animals that
live in colonies; when
coral polyps die, they
leave behind a hard,
stony, branching
structure made of
limestone.
 LOCATION AROUND THE
WORLD
You can find coral reefs
off the eastern coast of
Africa, off the southern
coast of India, in the Red
Sea, and off the coasts of
northeast and northwest
Australia and on to
Polynesia. There are also
coral reefs off the coast
of Florida, USA, to the
Caribbean, and down to
Brazil.
The Great Barrier Reef
(off the coast of NE
Australia) is the largest
coral reef in the world. It
is over (2000 km) long.
 ABIOTIC
FACTORS

Coral reefs develop in

shallow, warm water,
usually near land, and
mostly in the tropics;
they like temperatures
between 70 and 85 ° F
(21 - 30 °C).
BIOTIC FACTORS
- animals The coral provides shelter for
many animals, including sponges,
nudibranchs, fish (like Blacktip
Reef Sharks, groupers, clown fish,
eels, parrotfish, snapper, and
scorpion fish), jellyfish, anemones,
sea stars (including the destructive
Crown of Thorns), crustaceans
(like crabs, shrimp, and lobsters),
turtles, sea snakes, snails, and
mollusks (like octopuses, and
clams). Birds also feast on coral
reef animals.
BIOTIC FACTORS – The main types of plants that are
plants found in the coral reef
environment are basically algae
and sea grasses. These are the
most important element in the
entire reef ecosystem. The algae
can range in various sizes. They
can be simple plants such as the
zooxanthellae or the common
known seaweeds. Seaweeds are
multicellular branching forms.
These provide food to the corals
through photosynthesis.
 IMPORTANCE of CORAL REEFS

• They provide protection and shelter for many different species

of fish. Without coral reefs, these fish are left homeless with
nowhere to live and no where to have their babies.
• Not only do these fish increase the diversity of our world, but
also reef fish and mollusks feed between 30 and 40 million people
every year. They also are beautiful pets and the money made by
catching and selling them, makes that many people can feed their
families.
• They are very important in controlling how much carbon dioxide
is in the ocean water. The coral polyp turns carbon dioxide in
the water into a limestone shell; without coral, the amount of
carbon dioxide in the water would rise a lot and that would
affect all living things on Earth.
• They protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing
down the water before it gets to the shore.
• They are beautiful places, and provide income from tourists to
many poor countries.
 HUMAN IMPACT ON CORAL
REEFS
10 % of the world's reefs have
been completely destroyed. What
has happened to destroy all of
the reefs? Humans have
happened.

• Bad fishing – Too intensive:

uses blast, trawling, or cyanide
• Global warming caused by the
greenhouse effect has raised
the temperature of the oceans
so high that the coral get sick
and die.
• Pollution
 SOURCES
• www.buzzle.com/articles/coral-reefs-coral-plants-and-animals.html
• www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/coralreef/coralreef.shtml
• http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral
• www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bio99/bio99276.htm
• www.tenspider-tech.net/environmental-issues/coral-reef-
destruction.html
• www.abc.net.au/reslib/200906/r391678_1831816.jpg
• http://chaitt.blogspot.com/2008/04/seagrass-and-seaweed-at-south-
cottesloe.html