A ffecting Reef Growth Constructive Agents Reef Builders Organisms that secrete the calcium carbonate skeletons that form the reef Examples Calcareous Corals Coralline Algae Crack Fillers ID: 383648
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Slide1
Agents Affecting Reef GrowthSlide2
Constructive Agents
“Reef Builders”
Organisms that secrete the calcium carbonate skeletons that form the reef
Examples:
Calcareous Corals
Coralline AlgaeSlide3
Crack Fillers
Organisms that produce sediment or live in the cracks & crevices of the reef
Examples:
Encrusting coralline algae
Fragments of coral
Foraminifera
one-celled animals that make shells – for ex: paper shells
Mollusks
EchinodermsSlide4
Passive Agents
Organisms that use the structure of the reef to live and hide in; don’t affect the structure, but may eat inhabitants of be eaten by them
Examples:
Anemones
Crustaceans
Many Fish
Worms
Red, green, brown algae
Octopuses
Many mollusksSlide5
Destructive Biological Agents
Organisms that destroy by chewing, eroding, blanketing, or producing acid
Examples:
Boring sponges
Coral-eating fish (ex: parrotfish)
Worms
Sea Urchins & Sea Stars
Boring Mollusks
Rapid-growing algaeSlide6
Constructive Physical Agents
“Builders”
Examples:
Calm Water
Adequate sunlight
Optimum salinity
Clear water
Solid substrate
Adequate nutrientsSlide7
Destructive Physical Agents
Actions & Organisms that kill coral and wear away the reef
Examples:
Pounding waves
Moving sand
Smothering sediments (silt)
Freshwater rain
Very low tides
Rising seafloor
Sinking seafloor
Rising or falling water temperature
Runoff from land
Excessive nutrients in water
Pollution