Do dolphins depend on coral reefs?
Although dolphins do not usually interact directly with coral reefs, their health is related to the health of the reefs. Reef habitats are important in cycling nutrients and water quality, which are important to all species from the smallest plankton to the largest whales. A two-toned Atlantic Spotted. Dolphin foraging …
How do plants and animals depend on each other in the coral reef?
As animals eat the plants and other animals, energy is passed through the food chain. Reef building corals work together with microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae, that live in their tissue. These plants give food and oxygen to the animals that live on the reef.
What type of biodiversity is supported by coral?
The variety of species living on a coral reef is greater than in any other shallow-water marine ecosystem, making reefs one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Covering less than one percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs support an estimated 25 percent of all known marine species.
What animal eats coral reefs?
Fish, marine worms, barnacles, crabs, snails and sea stars all prey on the soft inner tissues of coral polyps. In extreme cases, entire reefs can be devastated if predator populations become too high.
Do sharks live in coral reefs?
Reef sharks inhabit shallow water coral and rocky reefs along coastlines, and submerged sea mounts. On pristine coral reefs, they can account for as much as 50 per cent of all the fish biomass. All reef sharks are predators, typically hunting for fish, crustaceans, and other animals such as octopus.
Do whales live in coral reef?
Around 30 species of whale and dolphin are found in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins are among the most commonly sighted and reported species.
How do species interact on a coral reef?
Interactions & Energy The coral reef ecosystem is a diverse collection of species that interact with each other and the physical environment. Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton, algae, and other plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
How do animals adapt to coral reefs?
In a coral reef, fish and other animals can hide from larger predators, like sharks, because they have small, flat bodies. Coral reefs have lots of cracks and crevices. The small, flat bodies of coral reef fish allow them to move quickly and make sharp turns at the last second to escape predators.
How many species are there in coral reefs?
Coral reef diversity This area supports more than 7,000 species of fishes, invertebrates, plants, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals.
How many animals are dependent on coral reefs?
An estimated 25 percent of all marine life, including over 4,000 species of fish, are dependent on coral reefs at some point in their life cycle. Approximately half a billion people globally depend on coral reef ecosystems for food, coastal protection, and income from tourism and fisheries.
What is the relationship between coral reefs and fish communities?
Coral reefs and fish communities have a close relationship of mutual benefits, as a healthy reef host a wider range of coral and fish species than a damaged reef. Our camera trap, which is set on the reef bottom, allows us to monitor the variety of fish that inhabit our reef sites and to control and preserve the reef heath status.
What animals live in coral reefs?
Millions of species live in and around coral reefs. Hidden beneath the ocean waters, coral reefs teem with life. Fish, corals, lobsters, clams, seahorses, sponges, and sea turtles are only a few of the thousands of creatures that rely on reefs for their survival. Coral reefs are also living museums and reflect thousands of years of history.
What is coral reef ecology?
Coral reefs are the worlds most diverse ecosystem, supporting 25% of all ocean species by providing food and shelter. We aim to build knowledge on coral reef ecology in Mozambique and protect the endangered species that they support.