The Coral Reef Biome

By Ryann Molinari

Climate
The average climate in a coral reef biome is 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
As the water gets deeper, the temperature normally gets colder. Some coral reefs are colder than others depending on where they are

located.

Coral reefs are generally found in clear, tropical oceans. Coral reefs form in waters from the surface to about 150 feet (45 meters) deep because they need sunlight to survive.. The largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is longer than 1200 miles (1900 km). In the map above, the red represents the location of coral reef biomes.

Symbiotic Relationship
There are many unique symbiotic relationships below the surface of
the water. One symbiotic relationship in the coral reef is between the clownfish and the sea anemone. Their symbiotic relationship is called mutualism, when both organisms benefit. The clownfish is found living in the poisonous tentacles of the sea anemone and is protected from predators. After the sea anemone has eaten its meal, the clownfish feeds on the remains of the kill. The clownfish also cleans the tentacles and eats dead tentacles. Because of its bright colors, the clownfish also can attract organisms for the sea anemone to eat. Therefore, this relationship is beneficial to both organisms.

One Way Man Has Affected The Coral Reef Biome

Pollution is one way people are destroying coral reefs. Pollution can

kill reefs from poisons and heavy metals. The pollution enters the ocean by oil spills, acid rain, dumping of hazardous waste, exhaust pollution from boats, jet skis, and many more sources. The pollution enters the coral through the polyps, and the heavy metals from the pollution can kill the animals. When the polyps are killed, it harms the coral because polyps are what build the coral. Without them there is no new coral. Everything dies after that. This happens because the polyps are the coral.

Endangered Species- Leatherback Sea Turtle

One endangered species in the Coral Reef Biome is the Leatherback Sea

Turtle. Many Leatherback Sea Turtles die from getting caught in fishing nets. Leatherback Sea Turtles feed on jellyfish, which look a lot like plastic bags floating in the ocean. Many sea turtles eat those plastic bags thinking they are jellyfish, and die. To help save these sea turtles people are helping to keep the oceans and beaches clean so that Leatherback Sea Turtles do not mistakenly eat trash. One way to do this is through community cleanups. Some fishing companies are outfitting nets with Turtle Exclusion Devices (TEDs) that allow turtles to escape the nets when accidently caught. Protection of nesting sites has been increased in countries like Mexico, Costa Rica and the United States.

Food Chain
Sun
Phytoplankton (Producer)

Fish (Primary Consumer) Microorganisms (Decomposer)