What is the relationship between coral reef and algae?
What is the relationship between coral reef and algae?
The corals and algae have a mutualistic relationship. The coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes.
Is algae and coral the same?
Most corals contain algae called zooxanthellae (pronounced zo-UH-zan-thuh-lay), which are plant-like organisms. Residing within the coral’s tissues, the microscopic algae are well protected and make use of the coral’s metabolic waste products for photosynthesis, the process by which plants make their own food.
Where is algae found in a coral reef?
Algae belonging to the group known as dinoflagellates live inside the corals’ tissues. The algae use photosynthesis to produce nutrients, many of which they pass to the corals’ cells.
What algae helps coral reefs?
Coralline algae
Coralline algae are a type of red algae that helps build coral reef ecosystems in a variety of ways. They encourage reef growth by attracting coral larvae; they serve as a food source for reef animals; and help patch up broken coral skeletons by growing over breaks.
Can algae live without coral?
The coral in return provides protection as well as a nutrient rich environment for excellent algae growth. Corals are completely dependent on the symbiotic algae. They would not be able to survive without them since they can’t produce sufficient amounts of food.
Why do corals drive out algae?
When water is too warm, corals will expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white. This is called coral bleaching. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.
What is red algae and why is it important to coral reefs?
Red algae are a type of multicellular, marine algae, which contain the red pigment, phycobiliprotein. They cover the surface of coral reefs and cement the reefs together. The crustose type growth of red algae forms a thin mat on coral reefs, trapping the sediments on the coral reefs.
Why is algae bad for coral reefs?
The researchers theorized that when increased levels of algae produce meals for microbes, there are also higher levels of potentially harmful microbes throughout the reef ecosystem. These microbes then endanger corals by depleting oxygen from the environment or by introducing diseases.
How are coral reefs formed?
Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents. As the corals grow and expand, reefs take on one of three major characteristic structures — fringing, barrier or atoll.
How does coral eat algae?
The algae live within the coral polyps, using sunlight to make sugar for energy. This energy is transferred to the polyp, providing much needed nourishment. In turn, coral polyps provide the algae with carbon dioxide and a protective home. Corals also eat by catching tiny floating animals called zooplankton.
Why are the coral reefs important?
Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection.
How do coral reefs provide food?