Coral Reef Characteristics
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/8/6/40866555/1753205_orig.jpg)
Soil:
The soil is actually bad for the coral reef because it smothers coral and blocks sunlight. Coral reefs need sunlight to survive.
Water Characteristics:
The coral reef needs water that is warm and stable all year around usually (64-84 degrees Fahrenheit). They also live in salt water in oceans and seas.
Climate:
Coral reefs are located in shallow warm waters with lots of sunlight. Corals respond to small changes in temperatures and rainfall, and water clarity in a matter of months. The bands in the corals shell change thickness when temperatures, water clarity, or nutrient availability change.
Where are Coral reefs Located?
As you can see coral reefs are located relatively close to land. The reason for this is because they need shallow water so that sunlight can get to them. Coral reefs are also pretty close to the equator because they need tropical temperatures for them to be successful.
Organisms Niche/Role
Plants:
Anemone- (Niche/Role)- provides a home/ safe refuge for clownfish and anemone fish.
Sea Grass- (Niche/Role)- The sea grass maintains the water quality and it stabilizes the sea bottom. It also provides food and habitat for the other marine organisms.
Animals:
Green turtle- (Niche/Role)- prefers sea grass, so they maintain the amounts of sea grass in the biome. The eggs that hatch from the sea turtle enrich the soil and provide nutrients for certain plants to grow.
Angel Fish- (Niche/Role)- The angel fish feed mostly off of algae and sponges. They are food for bigger fish in the food chain.
Crustaceans:
Cleaner Shrimp- (Niche/Role)- Cleans parasites and damaged scales from many species of fish. The shrimp is also allowed to clean inside the fishes' mouth in complete safety with no danger of being eaten.
Grass Shrimp- (Niche/Role)- These type of shrimp are very small. Since they are so small they consume algae and sea grasses. Grass shrimp are a major food source for larger predators. They also provide rich food sources for smaller organisms.
Adaptations
Plants:
Man groves: Their roots protect the sediments from overpowering the coral reefs.They grow behind coral reefs for protection, but they also are above sea water. Man groves help the coral reef so the coral reef can grow.
Zooxanthellae: It lives inside the coral. The coral reef gives off protection and the zooxanthellae provides the nutrients.
Animals:
Fish: Fish are really important in the coral reef structure. It provides the health to the coral reefs and their surroundings.
Sharks: sharks help just like fish. The shark also provides health to the coral reefs. If we over fish them, than the coral reef would be gone.
Crustactions:
Crabs: crabs are found in some sections of the coral reefs. They can change their climate and help to coral reef stay clean and healthy.
Shrimp: Most shrimp help the coral reefs.It can clean the coral reefs and help it stay in its shape.
The soil is actually bad for the coral reef because it smothers coral and blocks sunlight. Coral reefs need sunlight to survive.
Water Characteristics:
The coral reef needs water that is warm and stable all year around usually (64-84 degrees Fahrenheit). They also live in salt water in oceans and seas.
Climate:
Coral reefs are located in shallow warm waters with lots of sunlight. Corals respond to small changes in temperatures and rainfall, and water clarity in a matter of months. The bands in the corals shell change thickness when temperatures, water clarity, or nutrient availability change.
Where are Coral reefs Located?
As you can see coral reefs are located relatively close to land. The reason for this is because they need shallow water so that sunlight can get to them. Coral reefs are also pretty close to the equator because they need tropical temperatures for them to be successful.
Organisms Niche/Role
Plants:
Anemone- (Niche/Role)- provides a home/ safe refuge for clownfish and anemone fish.
Sea Grass- (Niche/Role)- The sea grass maintains the water quality and it stabilizes the sea bottom. It also provides food and habitat for the other marine organisms.
Animals:
Green turtle- (Niche/Role)- prefers sea grass, so they maintain the amounts of sea grass in the biome. The eggs that hatch from the sea turtle enrich the soil and provide nutrients for certain plants to grow.
Angel Fish- (Niche/Role)- The angel fish feed mostly off of algae and sponges. They are food for bigger fish in the food chain.
Crustaceans:
Cleaner Shrimp- (Niche/Role)- Cleans parasites and damaged scales from many species of fish. The shrimp is also allowed to clean inside the fishes' mouth in complete safety with no danger of being eaten.
Grass Shrimp- (Niche/Role)- These type of shrimp are very small. Since they are so small they consume algae and sea grasses. Grass shrimp are a major food source for larger predators. They also provide rich food sources for smaller organisms.
Adaptations
Plants:
Man groves: Their roots protect the sediments from overpowering the coral reefs.They grow behind coral reefs for protection, but they also are above sea water. Man groves help the coral reef so the coral reef can grow.
Zooxanthellae: It lives inside the coral. The coral reef gives off protection and the zooxanthellae provides the nutrients.
Animals:
Fish: Fish are really important in the coral reef structure. It provides the health to the coral reefs and their surroundings.
Sharks: sharks help just like fish. The shark also provides health to the coral reefs. If we over fish them, than the coral reef would be gone.
Crustactions:
Crabs: crabs are found in some sections of the coral reefs. They can change their climate and help to coral reef stay clean and healthy.
Shrimp: Most shrimp help the coral reefs.It can clean the coral reefs and help it stay in its shape.