3.2 Coral Reef and Neritic Zone Ecosystems Flashcards
The ______ zone lies between the low-tide water level and the upper edge of the continental shelf.
Neritic.
A non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment
Abiotic
Relating to, caused by, or of living organisms.
Biotic.
Some bacteria in the neritic zone survive on the dead and decaying bodies of other organisms. Such bacteria are called _______.
Duh–t
Detritivores.
Duh–tree–tuh–vor
______ are also known as pillar corals. Unlike branching corals, these corals appear like cylindrical pillars without any branches.
Digitate corals.
________ are a type of hard coral with numerous branches. They may have secondary branches stemming off from a primary branch.
Branching Corals.
_______ are shaped like tables. The top of the surface is broad and flattened. This exposes the zooxanthellae to sunlight.
Table Corals.
_______ shows typical structure like the antlers of the stag. This type of coral withstands vigorous wave motion due to its solid structure.
Elkhorn Coral.
The ________ are boulder-shaped coral of large size. They grow slowly and withstand the vigorous wave motions.
Massive Coral.
The ________ attach to a hard stony substrate. They spread in along the ocean floor in width rather than branching or growing upward. Therefore, they withstand vigorous storms and wave motions and are usually impervious to damage.
Encrusting Coral.
The mushroom coral is a mushroom, dome-shaped coral. It is a solitary coral. It does not attach itself to any surface.
Mushroom Coral.
Corals have tentacles near the oral opening. The tentacles comprise cells called ________, which contain venom.
Nematocysts.
_________ are the oldest type of reefs. They form when coral larvae attach to a volcanic island. As the island continues to submerge, the coral exoskeleton continues to build up. Finally, when the island completely submerges under water, the coral reef builds on top of it, encircling a lagoon of water within it.
Atoll reefs.
__________ are older than fringing reefs. These reefs run along the border of the shores at a distance. A lagoon is present in between the reef and the shore. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world and is situated off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
Barrier reefs.
The ______ are the youngest and the most common of all the coral reefs. This type of reef forms when the larval corals attach themselves to the edge of the submerged land surface. As the corals grow and develop, over a period, they form a fringe around the shoreline.
Fringing reefs.
