A food web consists of all food chains of an ecosystem. A food web is a diagram which shows the transfer of energy between species. Energy is transferred through food; therefore, food webs basically show which fauna eats which. Food webs are organized into layers of who eats who called trophic levels. The bottom trophic level of a food web is the producers, the second being the primary consumer, then the secondary consumers, tertiary consumers and the final trophic level being the decomposers. The ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef is a fragile balance, with a food chain that has several points, in which each one is reliant on one another. The Great Barrier Reef’s coordinates are 18.2871° S, 147.6992° E. The Reef has a huge amount of flora …show more content…
Primary consumers are normally herbivores therefore they feed off of producers. There is a wide variety of herbivorous animals that reside in the Great Barrier Reef. These include invertebrates such as molluscs and echinoderms, as well as certain species of fish, the most notable being the parrotfishes, surgeonfishes, rabbitfishes, rudderfishes and damselfishes. The primary consumer’s role in the Great Barrier Reef’s food chain consists of them feeding off of the primary producers such as coral, therefore transferring the energy from the producer to consumer. The primary consumer only obtains around 10% of the producer’s energy as they may not eat the whole entity or energy might be lost through waste. The population of the largest and most significant vertebrate plants feeds, including sea turtles, dugongs, have been severely decimated by the impacts of humans on the reef. The loss of these vital animals has and will more severely disturb the coral reef food web in a significant manner, although the specific impacts are not clear …show more content…
They break down dead biological matter and waste products and convert them into useable energy; returning important materials to the environment. Decomposers are a particular important feature in the Great Barrier Reef considering the heavy bio-load. Main decomposers inside the reef include bacteria, sea cucumbers, some species of snails, crabs and bristle worms. Bacteria sis not only vital for the Great Barrier Reef’s food web, but is also said by scientists that it could be the key to keeping the coral healthy and able to withstand the impacts of global warming. Dr Tracy Ainsworth stated “it is very likely that these microorganisms play a vital role in the capacity of coral to recovering from bouts of bleaching caused by rising temperatures.” Corals rely on these good bacteria’s crucially although we don’t yet understand these microbe’s ell enough to know how they influence coral survival, which is vital in maintaining the food web of the Great Barrier Reef. These good bacteria as well as other decomposers break down dead organics material and turn nutrients to the sediment. This energy is then obtained by the producers and the cycle begins
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Show MoreThat being said, one would see the importance in preserving the integrity of this structure. Elizabeth Kolbert’s choice to explore the destruction of this massive landmark will surely evoke passion for her subject matter and as a reader had no difficulty depicting her passion. I favor the assumption that other readers will react in a similar manner with the thought that the Great Barrier Reef is in peril. Much of society is only concerned with what affects them personally In chapter seven, she piggybacked with atmospheric scientist Ken Caldeira on One Tree Island to find out learn about ocean acidification and her findings show neither good news nor promise concerning the future of the ocean’s coral reefs. The tone of the chapter is that of death: the balance of coral reef revolves around life and death in its current state.
The increase in the changes of climate is affecting the delicate coral reefs. Coral reefs depend on a balanced temperature to thrive. The increased water temperature due to global warming are causing the coral to become bleached. They turn white and die. This also kills the wildlife and algae that live in them.
Even as the ocean is warming, much of the coral cover will still remain. We will see a rise in sea-level but to a limited extent. Working to adapting and mitigating to these climate changes will prove successful. Efficient land-based conservation efforts and sanctuary management work will be crucial for facing these climate
Loggerhead turtles are species generalists. Loggerheads compete with other carnivorous predators whose diets overlaps with theirs. For example, juvenile loggerheads and Kemp’s ridleys in waters around Long Island have substantial diet overlap. Interspecific competition also occurs for nest sites for beaches shared with other sea turtles species; however, this problem was likely greater in the past before modern turtle population declines. The diet of loggerheads includes many species that are harvested by humans and consequently decreases in food resources can result in sublethal effects in the form of decreased growth rates and reproductive output (Bjorndal 2003).
The main problem that would occur is the plants would not be able to conduct photosynthesis at a rate that can support them and they would start to die off. When the plants die off the organisms that eat the plants wont have any food so they will die off and so on. The temperature of the earth would most likely drop due to the lack of sunlight exposure as well. An earthworm wouldn’t suffer a huge amount until the bacteria started to die off due to the overall imbalance of the food chain, earthworms would definitely survive the longest because their food source would be the last to die off. The sharks also would not be affected for a while because it would take time for the algae to die off from lack of sunlight and cause a chain reaction of
The Marine Biome Written by Molly Joyce A horse--like seahorse is eating shrimp with its long snout when the scuttling sound of a 10--legged red crab arises from the sandy ocean floor, its hard shell upsetting the sandy ocean floor. The crab grabs at the seahorse with its claws snapping ferociously. Crabs are one of the few animals that eat seahorses, along with some species of fish and rays. The seahorse, terrified, uses the current to float to a nearby patch of eelgrass. Once there, it vanishes, perfectly camouflaged with the eelgrass.
Relationships Provide an example of: Mutualistic Relationship (both benefit) Coral and Crabs The relationship between Trapezia Crabs and Pociollopora coral on the reefs of Rottnest Island is an example of mutualism as both of species benefit from the interaction with the other organism. The Trapezia Crabs, often called ‘coral crabs’ live amongst the branches of coral and feed on the nutrient-rich mucus it produces, but does not induce any harm on the coral. In return, the crabs provide a form of protection for the coral from many of their predators, and would actively defend the coral from sea stars such as the Crown of Thorns (Acanthaster planci) which is a major treat to the coral. Therefore, the Trapezia crabs and Coral are an example of a mutualistic relationship.
Recently, because of the downturn of sharks, those coral reefs and seagrass
The coral was so weak and brittle, with only a little movement of water it withered away into a fine dust of calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. The acidic water wiped out of all the coral to almost extinction. Bothered by what I saw on this trip I headed up to the boat to report my findings to the unesco. The boat ride returning to the mainland I was shocked to find out how much oxygen I used up in my tank, the coral seemed so much farther down than I expected, the sea level insinuate so much higher. Perturbed by this I knew it was all an effect from climate change and we were all to late to correct the damage
Oceans are peaceful, majestic, and filled with amazing and vibrant color. A lot of the prostown beauty in oceans can be credited to coral reefs. Lately though, natural coral reefs have been dying for various reasons, and some people believe that artificial reefs can help not only the natural reefs, but other surrounding ecosystems in their environment. Various articles use rhetorical techniques in hopes of enhancing their articles about whether or not artificial reefs are helping or harming the oceans. The first article, “Concern Lingers on Success of Artificial Reefs”, was written by Charles Q. Choi, and for Live Science, looks at both the pro and con side of artificial reefs.
Coral bleaching is not just a national problem that Australia faces alone. In the last year (2015), 12 percent of the world’s coral reefs have bleached (Howard). Since the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef, covering 133,000 square miles, and stretching 1,200 miles along the coast of Australia, it poses an incredible threat to Australia’s economy and environment (Howard). Coral bleaching is not an issue that is often plastered all over the news or brought to people’s attention often. Coral Reefs, especially the Great Barrier Reef are seen as the perfect tourist destination because reefs are known for their wide variety of marine life and beautiful bright corals one would see on brochures.
One of the leading causes for reefs to be endangered is due to the invasive lionfish. The lionfish’s impulsive eating habits are threatening our sea life of the reefs and decreasing our fisheries economically. According to Lionfish Hunters, the green side includes the cleaners that maintain the health of the reef and the health of other fish such as “grazers.” The grazers are the parrotfish, goatfish, wrasses, surgeonfish, and tangs. (The Lionfish Hunters, web.)
Therefore, the impact of overfishing and illegal collecting of coral may destroyed the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life. Beside, it is also direct overexploitation of fish, intertebrates, and algae for food and the aquarium trade, removal of a species or group of species impacting multiple trophic levels, bycatch and mortality of nontarget species, and change from coral to algal dominance due to reduction in herbivores (Reef Resilience Organisation,
In Caribbean, 36 percent coral reefs are located within 2 km of the inhabited land thus this area of coral reefs ecology have highly susceptible to pressures arising from coastal populations. The extensive construction and development for roads, housing, ports and other development has been required to support both of the residential and tourist populations. The coastal development was poorly managed therefore put stress on coral reefs through direct damage from dredging, land reclamation and sand and limestone mining for construction as well as through less direct pressures such as runoff from construction sites and removal of coastal habitat. Besides that, the loss of mangrove and sea grass which filter sediment and nutrients coming from the land has been widespread in the Caribbean which lead to add the pressure towards coral reef ecology. Next, the increased sediment in the coastal waters reduces the amount of light reaching the coral and hinders the ability of their symbiotic algae which is zooxanthellae for photosynthesis.
In this research paper we will explore more about coral reefs and their importance. Coral reefs are communities of living organisms. They are made up of fishes, plants, and many other creatures. They have been around for millions of years: less than the 0.1% of the world’s ocean floor Is covered by coral reefs, however they grow very slowly, from 0.3 cm to 10 cm per year.