2. Factors that influence all ecosystems
• Abiotic Factors • Biotic Factors
– pH – Organisms
– Salinity • Predators/prey/ parasites
– Dissolved Oxygen
– Turbidity
– Lat/Long.
– Observation of weather
– Temperature
– Light
– Waves/Tides
3. Coral Reefs
• Most biodiverse marine
ecosystem
– Biodiversity =health of
ecosystem
4. Abiotic Factors
• Abiotic factors
– Temperature: Tropical
– Shallow waters: Availability of light
– Wave action
– Nutrient poor: why water is pretty blue in color=
lacks nutrients
• So why is it the most biodiverse ecosystem
when there are so few nutrients available?
– Symbiosis!!!! What is definition?
5. Biotic Factors
• Mutualistic relationship
– Corals = animals
– Zooxanthellae:
zooplankton
• Can’t live without
another. Coral give
zooxanthellae N, P, and
CO2 and zoo give corals
carbohydrates
6. • Forms basis of
community that
provides food and
shelter to all other
organisms
8. Types of Reefs
• Fringing Reefs- directly
borders landmass:
– Ex. Cayman Islands
• Barriers Reefs:
separated from
landmass by a lagoon
– Ex: Australia and
Florida
• Atolls: arise from deep
water and have lagoon
in center
– Most in pacific islands
9. Threats to Reefs
1. Coral Bleaching : (take notes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=7EGvE5mTxRI&safety_mode=tr
ue&persist_safety_mode=1&safe
=active
2. Disease
1. Black band disease-caused by
bacteria
2. White pox- killed 85% of Elkhorn
corals in Keys
3. Others
3. Human Impact
1. Coastal development = increased
runoff (leads to algae blooms like
red tides)
2. Activities: snorkeling/diving
disturbing corals
10. What is an estuary?
• Partially enclosed body of water that is open
to the sea/ocean(salt h2o) and has rivers and
streams(freshwater) running into it.
11. Has characteristics of BOTH marine
and Freshwater environments
• Marine characteristics • Freshwater characteristics
– Salinity – Flow of freshwater
– Tides – Flow of sediments (sand,
– waves silt, gravel)
12.
13. What is a salt marsh?
• Type of estuary
– Located in the intertidal zone between land and
salt/brackish water
– Dominated by salt tolerant plants
– Important for environment
• to the food web and export nutrients to water
• Provide habitats for birds and other land animals
• Serve as nurseries for juvenile fish
• Protect coast from erosion from hurricanes
