ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of coral
What would it be like to live in your ecosystem?
In a coral reef there is a lot of animal activity and it is at a warm temperature of 73-84 degrees Fahrenheit.
What are the major abiotic factors?
Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and their ecosystems. For example: water, salinity, temperature, pressure, oxygen, nutrients, depth, precipitation, sand, rocks, shells, mud.
What is the habitat?
Coral reefs provide a source of food and shelter for a large variety of species and they protect coastlines from ocean storms and floods.
How do humans impact the ecosystem?
In the future, overfishing, destructive fishing, boating practices, construction, sedimentation, mangrove cutting, fish-feeding, sewage, and tourists could cause the destruction of coral reefs.
What are some problems that coral reefs might face in the future due to human activity?
Sewage leads to oxygen and light reduction and perhaps death of the communities living there. Sedimentation makes the coral more susceptible to bacteria and therefore more likely to suffer from disease. Destructive fishing and boating practices lead to habitat destruction and disintegration of the reef ecosystem.
Where in the world can your ecosystem be found?
Coral reefs are mainly found in tropical areas. This includes the Eastern coast of Africa, the Southern coast of India, the coasts of Australia, the Red Sea, off the coast of Florida in the United States, along the Caribbean, and along the coast of Brazil.
What are the major biotic factors?
Biotic factors are any living components that affect another organism. For example: fish, turtles, sharks, eels, crabs, shrimps, urchins, sponges, and algae.
What are the dominant animals and plants?
Dominant plants in a coral reef include mangroves and seagrasses. Dominant animals include jellyfish, fish, sea snakes, sea turtles and manatees.
Interesting fact about coral reefs
The largest corral reef biome in the world is known as the Great Barrier Reef. It extends over 1,200 miles and can be seen from space.