CORAL REEFS // MARINE ECOSYSTEM
Coral reefs are famous known as a diverse marine ecosystem in the world. We can found coral reef ecosystem mainly in shallow tropical or subtropical waters. It is the most beautiful marine habitat among all marine habitats. With their richness of wealth of biological diversity and aesthetic value, coral reefs have substantial economic value. The sun is the primary source of energy. Since corals are composed of thin layer of calcium carbonated that produce over a time by hundreds of soft bodies animals called coral polyps. In every each of polyp lives a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae that perform photosynthesis producing food which is shared with the coral.
Coral reefs are made up from different types of coral, ranging from hard and soft coral to sponges. The animals that live in this coral are crustaceans, mollusks, sea stars, fish, sea turtles, sea snakes, dolphins and even sharks. Its reef systems help as barriers protecting many costal populations and developments from storm damage. Coral reef is one of the place that support commercial fisheries. One interesting fact of coral reef is that they possibly contain of incredible medicinal compounds within them.
As you know people love to see the breathtaking view of coral reefs because of its beauty, therefore they serve as major tourist attractions. Unfortunately, humans also a threat to coral reefs. By overfishing, destructive fishing and pollution changing the ocean chemistry and invasive species are all taking the blame. In some places, reefs are completely destroyed.
When corals are babies that float in the sea with plankton, many marine animals can easily eat them. When they settle down and secrete a skeleton they are less tasty. Somehow some fish, worms, snails and sea stars attracted to adults corals. They also prey adult corals. Although coral doesn’t move much like the fishes in the sea, they have competitors. Same like the others. Seaweeds is the most dangerous competitor to corals. They grow way way faster than corals and it contain unpleasant chemical that injure coral as well. The interesting part is that coral doesn’t have to defend themselves on their own. There are mutualisms or beneficial relationship on coral reefs. Their partnership with their zooxanthallae is one of the examples symbioses – where different species live together and help each other. They also have colonies like shrimps or crabs that live with their branches and defend their coral as a home from predators.
Coral reef is directly linked to the surrounding terrestrial and marine environments. Not only because of the health, but also because the abundance and diversity of organisms that live there. Mangrove and seagrass are the most important part of greater coral reef ecosystem. Why mangrove? Mangroves are salt tolerant tree, their roots benefit to stabilize the shore line by filtering pollutants and producing nutrients. Why seagrass? Seagrass can provide nutrients for everything from sea urchins and snails to sea turtles. It also provides protection for valuable species, like lobsters. They filter the water column that release oxygen for marine life.
Coral reefs are made up from different types of coral, ranging from hard and soft coral to sponges. The animals that live in this coral are crustaceans, mollusks, sea stars, fish, sea turtles, sea snakes, dolphins and even sharks. Its reef systems help as barriers protecting many costal populations and developments from storm damage. Coral reef is one of the place that support commercial fisheries. One interesting fact of coral reef is that they possibly contain of incredible medicinal compounds within them.
As you know people love to see the breathtaking view of coral reefs because of its beauty, therefore they serve as major tourist attractions. Unfortunately, humans also a threat to coral reefs. By overfishing, destructive fishing and pollution changing the ocean chemistry and invasive species are all taking the blame. In some places, reefs are completely destroyed.
When corals are babies that float in the sea with plankton, many marine animals can easily eat them. When they settle down and secrete a skeleton they are less tasty. Somehow some fish, worms, snails and sea stars attracted to adults corals. They also prey adult corals. Although coral doesn’t move much like the fishes in the sea, they have competitors. Same like the others. Seaweeds is the most dangerous competitor to corals. They grow way way faster than corals and it contain unpleasant chemical that injure coral as well. The interesting part is that coral doesn’t have to defend themselves on their own. There are mutualisms or beneficial relationship on coral reefs. Their partnership with their zooxanthallae is one of the examples symbioses – where different species live together and help each other. They also have colonies like shrimps or crabs that live with their branches and defend their coral as a home from predators.
Coral reef is directly linked to the surrounding terrestrial and marine environments. Not only because of the health, but also because the abundance and diversity of organisms that live there. Mangrove and seagrass are the most important part of greater coral reef ecosystem. Why mangrove? Mangroves are salt tolerant tree, their roots benefit to stabilize the shore line by filtering pollutants and producing nutrients. Why seagrass? Seagrass can provide nutrients for everything from sea urchins and snails to sea turtles. It also provides protection for valuable species, like lobsters. They filter the water column that release oxygen for marine life.