Abiotic Factors
· Temperature (provide the right conditions for polyps to grow; warmth)
· Sunlight (enable photosynthesis to produce food and calcium carbonate; strengthen coral skeletons)
· Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide levels (essential for life underwater and beginning photosynthesis)
· Salinity (assists in calcification of coral skeletons)
· Currents/waves (brings in food and assists in getting rid of waste)
· Sunlight (enable photosynthesis to produce food and calcium carbonate; strengthen coral skeletons)
· Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide levels (essential for life underwater and beginning photosynthesis)
· Salinity (assists in calcification of coral skeletons)
· Currents/waves (brings in food and assists in getting rid of waste)
Biotic Factors
· Bacteria (process nitrogen to keep waste levels low)
· Autotrophs (algae and seaweed; assists in calcium carbonate production)
· Amount of Coral polyps (accounts for the growth of the coral reefs)
· Decomposers (convert dead material into useful energy)
· Cleaner Shrimp (remove parasites)
· Autotrophs (algae and seaweed; assists in calcium carbonate production)
· Amount of Coral polyps (accounts for the growth of the coral reefs)
· Decomposers (convert dead material into useful energy)
· Cleaner Shrimp (remove parasites)
Limiting Factors
Density Dependent- limiting factor dependent on the amount of
individuals in the population.
Examples: parasites (Monogenea) and disease (White Band Disease)
Density Independent- limiting factor whose effect is not dependent on the number of individuals in the population.
Examples: tsunamis and over fishing (dynamite fishing)
Examples: parasites (Monogenea) and disease (White Band Disease)
Density Independent- limiting factor whose effect is not dependent on the number of individuals in the population.
Examples: tsunamis and over fishing (dynamite fishing)