Introduction Coral Reefs are made of limestone structures of dead and living stony coral Coral polyps are formed by red and green coralline algae Coral gets color from zooxanthellae Found all over the world Coral Reefs are made of limestone structures of dead and living stony coral Coral polyps are formed by red and green coralline algae Coral gets color from zooxanthellae Found all over the world

Animals of the Coral Reef AnenomefishBlacktip reef sharkBrain CoralCarpet AnenomeGiant ClamParrotfishPharoah cuttlefishSquarespotStaghorn coralPlanktonYellow-headed jawfishZebra morayZebra sharkEtc.

Plants of the Coral Reef Seagrass Seaweed Mangroves Sea lettuce Algae Zooxanthellae Benthic diatoms Seagrass Seaweed Mangroves Sea lettuce Algae Zooxanthellae Benthic diatoms

About Coral Reefs Water in the reef is 68° to 82°F (20° - 28°C) Reefs are found on eastern shores of land Reefs usually develop in areas with lots of wave action because of incoming nutrients Waves also prevent sediment from falling on reefs Reefs need calcium (calcium becomes limestone) to form and thrive Water in the reef is 68° to 82°F (20° - 28°C) Reefs are found on eastern shores of land Reefs usually develop in areas with lots of wave action because of incoming nutrients Waves also prevent sediment from falling on reefs Reefs need calcium (calcium becomes limestone) to form and thrive

Biotic Factors Animals – Sharks, Fish, Eels, Corals, Anenomes, Plankton, Etc. Plants – Seagrasses, Seaweeds, Mangroves, Sea Lettuce, Algae, Etc.

Abiotic Factors Rocks Dead Coral Limestone Water Sunlight Temperature pH Etc.

Famous Locations Great Barrier Reef Red Sea Coral Reef New Caledonia Barrier Reef Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Florida Reef Andros Coral Reef Zhongsha Islands Great Barrier Reef Red Sea Coral Reef New Caledonia Barrier Reef Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Florida Reef Andros Coral Reef Zhongsha Islands

Map Red dots = Coral Reefs

Producers Photosynthetic Autotrophs – Phytoplankton – Coralline algae – Filamentous turf algae – Zooxanthellae in corals – Seaweed – Etc. Photosynthetic Autotrophs – Phytoplankton – Coralline algae – Filamentous turf algae – Zooxanthellae in corals – Seaweed – Etc.

Prey in the Coral Reef Consumers (primary and secondary) – Zooplankton – Invertabrate larvae – Benthic grazers – Few corals – Few crabs – Sea urchins – Green sea turtles – Herbivorous fish – Plankton feeders – Corallivores – Benthic invertebrate feeders – Piscivores – Etc. Consumers (primary and secondary) – Zooplankton – Invertabrate larvae – Benthic grazers – Few corals – Few crabs – Sea urchins – Green sea turtles – Herbivorous fish – Plankton feeders – Corallivores – Benthic invertebrate feeders – Piscivores – Etc.

Predators Carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers) – Plankton feeders – Corallivores – Benthic invertebrate feeders – Piscivores – Sharks – Barracudas – Moray eels – (If present): Dolphins, Seals, Sea birds Carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers) – Plankton feeders – Corallivores – Benthic invertebrate feeders – Piscivores – Sharks – Barracudas – Moray eels – (If present): Dolphins, Seals, Sea birds

Food Chains Zooxanthellae (on coral) -> Corallivores -> Parrotfish -> Moray eels Zooplankton -> Fish (ex: triggerfish) - > Piscivores -> Seals -> Sharks Seaweed -> Parrotfish -> Snappers Zooxanthellae (on coral) -> Corallivores -> Parrotfish -> Moray eels Zooplankton -> Fish (ex: triggerfish) - > Piscivores -> Seals -> Sharks Seaweed -> Parrotfish -> Snappers

Pictures of Coral Reefs

Videos of Coral Reefs

Interesting Facts Make up about 0.2% of total area on Earth House tens of thousands of marine species Usually located at a depth of 150 feet Deepest locations at a depth of 450 feet One of the settings of Pixar’s Finding Nemo Make up about 0.2% of total area on Earth House tens of thousands of marine species Usually located at a depth of 150 feet Deepest locations at a depth of 450 feet One of the settings of Pixar’s Finding Nemo