Coral Reefs the “rainforest” of the sea

The Barrier Reef - serve as a barrier between the ocean and the land. They slow down the harsh waves, protecting the coast. -usually a wide, deep lagoon separating the reefs from the land mass. - only grows where there has been a change of sea level on the adjacent coast PICTURE: The Great Barrier Reef. It is located off the northeast coast of Australia . It measures up to 150 km long .

LOCATIONS & REQUIREMENTS FOR GOOD HEALTH

wave action Coral Reefs need: warm, clear water sunlight calcium

Coral reefs have a symbiotic relationship with a type of microscopic algae, which require sunlight. Therefore, coral reefs must exist where sunlight penetrates so that they can thrive and grow. CORAL REEFS NEED: sunlight

Clear water allows for sunlight to reach the algae CORAL REEFS NEED: clear water

73-77°F (23-25°C) CORAL REEFS NEED: warm water

waves bring in food, nutrients and oxygen to the reef CORAL REEFS NEED: wave action

CORAL REEFS NEED: calcium used to build their limestone skeletons available in shallow waters

Importance of Coral Reefs and Symbiosis

Importance of Coral Reefs

Protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing down the water before it gets to the shore; hence the name “barrier reefs”

Reefs help local economies through tourism, diving tours, fishing trips, hotels, and restaurants

Symbiosis

Animals on the Coral Reef Arthropods, mollusks, sponges, cnidarians and more..

More Sponges

Plankton Eaters There are many fish that feed on plankton. They include damselfish, wrasses, and groupers, just to name a few. Damselfish wrasses wrasses Groupers

There are also herbivore, invertebrate, omnivore, and piscivores fish. Herbivore fish Invertebrate fish Omnivore fish Piscivores fish

Echinoderms Are a group of animals that include starfish, urchins, feather stars, and sea cucumbers. Starfish Flaming sea urchin Feather stars Sea urchins Sea Cucumber

Flatworms Flatworms are the simplest of worm groups. There are about 20,000 species in this group. They are bilateral, have an eyespot, have a simple nervous system, and have no internal body cavity. They can be free living or parasitic.

Sedimentation, Construction along coasts, mining, farming, and logging of Rainforests cause soil run off which smothers coral reefs blocking sunlight that it needs to survive. Dangerous

The End