BSC-1005 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Plant Propagation, Filter Feeder, Marine Protected Area
Document Summary
Objective 1: introduction to biology of coral reefs. Large enough to be seen from space, largest structures ever built by living organisms. Biological diversity is larger than in any other marine system. The complexity of interactions among organisms is extreme; each species plays its own role, and all are in a web of interdependencies. Coral reefs are aesthetically extreme, with many corals of all colors, shapes and sizes. The rock-like skeletons of the corals protect coastlines from damage by storm waves. Fish, lobsters, octopus (shellish) and other things such as pearls and coral (aquarium ish) ind shelter in the reefs. Many reefs can be pharmaceutically useful, and chunks of coral limestone can be used for building materials. Coral reefs need warm water, sunlight, shallow bottoms, clear water, normal salinity (away from rivers) and moderate water movement. Coral reefs grow along about 1/3 of tropical coasts.
