Coral reefs

By: Lysa RitsonPeriod: 2nd

Date: 5/08/09

Salinity: 35 parts per thousand

Temperature: 28°C

Flamboyant Cuttlefish

Genus/Species: Metasepia pfefferi Carnivore

Hippocampus bargibanti

Pygmy seahorse

Commensalism

Sea turtle Chelonia mydas

Sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri

Herbivore

Sea Anemone

Actiniaria

Fan Worms

Spirobranchus giganteus

Decomposer

Fire ShrimpLysmata amboinensis

Detrivore

Premnas biaculeatus

Maroon clown fish Premnas biaculeatus

Omnivoremutualism

Gnathiid isopod

Parasite

* Feeds on fish blood

Predation

Crown-of-thorns starfish are voracious predators that can wipe out large areas of coral reef. An individual can consume up to 6 square meters of living reef per year.

Coralline

Corallinaceae

Red Algae

• Kappaphycus cottonii

Blue Green Algae

• Cyanobacteria

hyperiid amphipod

• Hyperia macrocephala

• Maxillopoda

Copepod

Competition between soft and hard coral

Soft Coral

Hard Coral

Some facts about coral reefs

• Fact: Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth.

• Fact: Coral reefs are the largest living structure on the planet.

• Fact: Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to 25% of all marine fish species.

• Fact: 500 million people rely on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods.

• Fact: Without the existence of coral reefs, parts of Florida would be under water.

• Fact: Coral reefs have been used in the treatment of cancer, HIV, cardiovascular diseases and ulcers.

• Fact: Corals' porous limestone skeletons have been used for human bone grafts.

• Fact: It is estimated that coral reefs provide $375 billion per year around the world in goods and services.

• Fact: If the present rate of destruction continues, 70% of the world's coral reefs will be destroyed by the year 2050.