Question

describe the physical, chemical factors that characteristic of the biome?

identify and explain using exmaples miniting factors that might challeneg survival rates in this environment?

coral reefs

Answer 1

Biome is a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g. forest or tundra. A biome is a large region of Earth that has a certain climate and types of living things. Major biomes include tundra, forests, grasslands, and deserts. The plants and animals of each biome have traits that help them to survive in their particular biome.

Factors that alter the critical chemical and physical characteristics of ecological systems include temperature, pH electrochemical (redox) potential, and the transparency of air and water.

Temperature, soil, and the amount of light and water help determine what life exists in a biome. A biome is different from an ecosystem. An ecosystem is the interaction of living and nonliving things in an environment. A biome is a specific geographic area notable for the species living there.

Climate influences the types of plants and animals that inhabit a specific biome. Factors affecting biometype include latitude, humidity, and elevation. Terrestrial biomes are determined mainly by climate. Climate influences plant growth, biodiversity, and adaptations of land organisms.

Coral reefs face many threats from local sources, including:

• Physical damage or destruction from coastal development, dredging, quarrying, destructive fishing practices and gear, boat anchors and groundings, and recreational misuse (touching or removing corals).
• Pollution that originates on land but finds its way into coastal waters. There are many types and sources of pollution from land-based activities, for example:
  • Sedimentation from coastal development, urban stormwater runoff, forestry, and agriculture
    Sedimentation has been identified as a primary stressor for the existence and recovery of coral species and their habitats. Sediment deposited onto reefs can smother corals and interfere with their ability to feed, grow, and reproduce.
  • Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) from agricultural and residential fertilizer use, sewage discharges (including wastewater treatment plants and septic systems), and animal waste
    Nutrients are generally recognized as beneficial for marine ecosystems; however, coral reefs are adapted to low nutrient levels; so an excess of nutrients can lead to the growth of algae that blocks sunlight and consumes oxygen corals need for respiration. This often results in an imbalance affecting the entire ecosystem. Excess nutrients can also support growth of microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, that can be pathogenic to corals.
  • Pathogens from inadequately treated sewage, stormwater, and runoff from livestock pens
    Although rare, bacteria and parasites from fecal contamination can cause disease in corals, especially if they are stressed by other environmental conditions. Coral disease occurs in healthy ecosystems, but the input of pathogen-containing pollution can exacerbate the frequency and intensity of disease outbreaks.
  • Toxic substances, including metals, organic chemicals and pesticides found in industrial discharges, sunscreens, urban and agricultural runoff, mining activities, and runoff from landfills
    Pesticides can affect coral reproduction, growth, and other physiological processes. Herbicides, in particular, can affect the symbiotic algae (plants). This can damage their partnership with coral and result in bleaching. Metals, such as mercury and lead, and organic chemicals, such as polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), oxybenzone and dioxin, are suspected of affecting coral reproduction, growth rate, feeding, and defensive responses.
  • Trash and micro-plastics from improper disposal and stormwater runoff
    Trash such as plastic bags, bottles, and discarded fishing gear (also called marine debris) that makes its way into the sea can snag on corals and block the sunlight needed for photosynthesis, or entangle and kill reef organisms and break or damage corals. Degraded plastics and microplastics (e.g., beads in soap) can be consumed by coral, fish, sea turtles, and other reef animals, blocking their digestive tracts and potentially introducing toxics.
• Overfishing can alter food-web structure and cause cascading effects, such as reducing the numbers of grazing fish that keep corals clean of algal overgrowth. Blast fishing (i.e., using explosives to kill fish) can cause physical damage to corals as well.
• Coral harvesting for the aquarium trade, jewelry, and curios can lead to over-harvesting of specific species, destruction of reef habitat, and reduced biodiversity.