Question

Coral reef

Describe at least three specific autotrophs species (flora) (include pictures indicating common and scientific names) and describe a particular adaptation of each plant/algae that ensures its survival in that particular environment

Answer 1

Coral reef consists of underground ecosystems.Coral polyps form a living pad over a skeleton composed of calcium carbonate. Stony corals (or scleractinians) are the corals mainly responsible for setting the foundations for the reef systems and building them up. Coral reefs are a home of both flora and fauna. The flora species which are present in the coral reef consist zooxanthellae algae, mangroves and seagrasses.

Zooxanthellae are the algae which forms a symbiotic relationship with the coral polyps. Algae require a place to stay, so they reside inside corals. Since these algae need sunlight for photosynthesis, they live in the clear water of a coral reef allowing the depths to be penetrated by sunlight. Zooxanthellae provide oxygen and other essential nutrients and in return gets benefit from the carbon dioxide present in the reefs. Mangroves are also present in the coral reef. They prevent the coral from getting bleached. Seagrass is one of the plants in the ocean that can be found within a coral reef. Seagrasses are true, flowering plants, vascular plants, monocots that resemble other grasses and palms. Seagrasses utilize photosynthesis to turn the energy of the light into food, much as on earth plants. Despite of that, they typically find themselves in deeper water, such as a coral reef. Seagrass act as a shelter for many aquatic animals.