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rainforests, reefs, and mangroves - Coggle Diagram

- - - - eg, oculina bank off the coast of Florida
- - - - -nematocysts (stinging "harpoon" cells)
      - -tentacles
      - -cilia
      - -mouth and gut
      - -hard, limestone coral exoskeleton (CaCO3)
    - - cilia:
        
        -little hairs that move food particles to mouth that drop from above
      - nematocysts:
        
        -shoot out that anything that touches the coral, and pulls it into the coral mouth like a harpoon
  - - - -zooxanthellae protected by nematocysts
      - -produce oxygen and waste as a bi-product of them photosynthesising to feed the coral polyp
      - -the zooxanthellae contail the colour pigmants that add colour to the coral polyp (eg, chlorophyll - green)
  - - - -zooxanthellae need light for photosynthesis
    - - zooxanthellae live in specific temperature margins
    - - -the depth of the coral affects the overall light level that affects zooxanthellae
    - - -sediment can block the path of sunlight and choke polyp mouths
    - - -changes in salinity can affect photosynthesis in zooxanthellae
  - - - -coral reefs support exploited species including fish, crustaceans and molluscs
    - - -many species dont have physical defences so they use chemicals that could be used as medicines in small amounts
        
        -eg, alkaloids
    - - -coral reefs act as an important carbon sink
        
        -zooxanthellae carbon sequestriate CO2 in photosynthesis
    - - -coral reefs absorb wave energy and fragments of coral can make up sand on small islands
    - - -tourism brings money and provides jobs for locals
  - - - physical damage:
        
        -storms with large waves can damage large areas of reef
      - collection of ornaments and shells:
        
        -some ornaments include: starfish, general coral fragments and large shells
      - sedimentation:
        
        -can be caused by any number of threats, the sediment blocks the path of sunlight and suffocates coral polyps
      - bleaching:
        
        -caused by climate change, is currently destroying large swaths of reef
        
        -more than 75% of reefs have experienced bleaching
      - overfishing:
        
        -removal of top predators can affect whole food chains
        
        -crown of thorns starfish destroys large swathes of reef and their population is growing due to the removal of their predator: the tritons trumpet, a large gastropod mollusk
      - coastal development:
        
        -creation of ports and harbours can destroy shallow reefs
      - introduced species:
        
        -can affect food wabs and reduce the overall amount of food in the reef
        
        -example: the lionfish
      - loss of associated habitats:
        
        -mangroves and reefs have a symbiotic relationship
        
        -mangroves trap sediment from upstream protecting reefs
        
        -reefs reduce the affect of storms protecting mangroves
      - pollution:
        
        -coastal development creates increased levels of plastic and waste pollution
- - - - -high producer productivity supports rich food web
    - - -plants grow throughout the whole year = reliable food supply
    - - -no need to hibernate or migrate as conditions remain the same -no need to evolve further
- - - - -most ressistant to saline water and aerial roots
    - - -prop roots hold trees in place (they're long and branched)
    - - -least ressistant to saline water and have knee roots that allow gas exchange in the oxygen poor sediment
  - - - -could be used to treat antibiotic ressistant bacteria (MRSA)