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How do the tiny animals that live on coral reefs feed and what can possibly eat them?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Pollution is one way people are destroying coral reefs. Pollution can kill reefs from poisons and heavy metals. The pollution enters the ocean by oil spills, acid rain, dumping of hazardous waste, exhaust pollution from boats, jet skis, and many more sources. The pollution enters the coral through the polyps, and the heavy metals from the pollution can kill the animals. When the polyps are killed, it harms the coral because they are what build the coral. Without them there is no new coral. Everything dies after that. This happens because the polyps are the coral. If there were no polyps or maybe even fewer polyps, the coral would die because there would be an empty part in the coral. The polyps' skeletons are what gives the coral its jagged edges and rough surface.
Global warming is another way we are harming coral reefs. Global warming is the warming of the surface of the earth or when the earth's temperature rises to a temperature that is not normal. Oceans cover over 70% of the land on earth. This means there is a lot of heat created by global warming that is stored in the oceans. This causes the water to evaporate, which leaves the coral above the water. The coral will not be able to breathe above the water and will eventually die.
More than a quarter of the earth's coral reefs have been destroyed by pollution, global warming, and poor fishing practices. Fishermen may use spear guns, which can damage the coral, commercial poisons, and sometimes dynamite for fishing. Overfishing in the coral reef area can cause damage to food chains around the reefs also. We already have a huge effect on coral, but it takes a while before our actions harms the reefs. Our actions won't stop until we do something about it.
This algae absorbs and converts sunlight into energy. This energy is needed to feed the life found in a reef ecosystem. Pollution or climate change is a common cause of the loss of the algae. Because of this, the reef is being left "bleached" and not able to produce energy from sunlight. You can tell when a reef is bleached because large areas of the reef turn white. This will affect the food chain because it will kill the polyps that live in that area. There will then be fewer polyps, and whichever larger animals eats these will not be able to eat. This will cause them to have to change food, and by doing this they may die out and put a dent in the food chain.
When people damage coral reefs, they are also disturbing the home and food of other animals. Many animals under the sea have made the coral reefs their place to settle. When the coral is destroyed, then these animals have no place to live. When the coral is destroyed, it also affects the food that animals eat. It is not a good thing for the animals to eat the coral, but the animals still need food to eat, so they do that anyway. When the coral is killed, the animals that eat the polyps have less to eat, so they will have to change foods. This is not always good for the animal, and they may eventually die.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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How would biodiversity be affected if coral died?
Coral reefs are often home to animals which can only live in coral reefs. As coral reefs across the world begin to die off, so do many animals. Examples include simple shrimp and cleaner wrasses which feed on the algae and plant matters which grow on the coral. Animals which eat these smaller bottomfeeders will then start to suffer as many of them cannot move into colder water regions.
What does coral eat?
personally i do not no how coral reef feeds, that's what i was trying to fond out but now i am writing this. if you want to no how coral reef feeds i suggest you go on to wikipedia and type in coral reef
Would grasslands have smaller or larger animal populations?
There would be more because lots of animals feed off of grass, and lots of animals feed of the animals that feed off of grass
Why do you think that animals that feed on water plants spend most of their near the top while predators and animals that feed on dead remains can live lower down?
That is because that the predators that feed on the dead are looking for dead animals. Most of the dead animals are on the ground, unless they magically can fly when they are dead. Many water plants are at the top, so the animals that feed on them stay where to food is
What organisms feed on plant and animal remains?
Omnivores feed on both animals and plants.
What type of seaweed is in the coral reef?
many different kinds. they help feed many different animals. and keep the water clean
How are coral reefs helpful?
Fish from coral reefs feed about 30-40 million people every year. They protect coasts from stong current, hurricanes and waves.
How would biodiversity be affected if coral died?
Coral reefs are often home to animals which can only live in coral reefs. As coral reefs across the world begin to die off, so do many animals. Examples include simple shrimp and cleaner wrasses which feed on the algae and plant matters which grow on the coral. Animals which eat these smaller bottomfeeders will then start to suffer as many of them cannot move into colder water regions.
How do bottlenose dolphins interact with plants?
coral reefs, rocks, and sand
What adaptations do starfish make to coral reefs?
While most starfish feed primarily on mollusks, there are some varieties that prefer other invertebrate animals including hard corals. The crown of thorns starfish has fed on large portions of the coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Do fishes feed on coral reef?
Yes, because it is state on the book that coral reefs is for shelter, protection,and food for organisms that live oceans
Are stingray omnivore?
yes because they feed on small fish such as plankton and plants such as coral reefs.
Is coral reef a plankton or a nekton?
Coral reefs are benthos, or bottom-dwellers. Benthos live anywhere on the ocean floor, and filter feed. Coral reefs are made from calcium, take long to form, and are home to many species. They are actually sort of in their own category.
Animals that feed on coral?
Animals that eat coral are fish, bacteria, angelfish, butterfly fish, parrotfish, sea slugs are some animals that eat coral.
Research how coral reefs are formed. What types of animals live there What important roles do cnidarians play in coral reefs How do the tiny animals get their food How do algae help the corals?
Coral reefs are formed in shallow, warm, and clear bodies of water, such as oceans and seas, where the ocean temperatures are consistently between 64 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The reefs are formed by tiny creatures known as cnidarians, or “stinging cells”. These organisms are filled with stinging cells that they use to capture prey. Coral reefs are home to a variety of animals including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and sea turtles. These animals take shelter in the coral and feed on the nutrients available in the reef. Cnidarians play an important role in coral reefs as they provide food for the other animals. They also help keep the coral clean by consuming the dead material in the reef. Cnidarians get their food by catching tiny crustaceans and other small organisms, as well as by consuming the microscopic plankton that is present in the reef. Algae also help the corals by providing them with essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are necessary for the growth of the coral. Algae also provide oxygen, which helps keep the coral healthy. Additionally, algae help to keep the reef environment stable by absorbing excess carbon dioxide and nutrients that can be harmful to the coral.
What do coral shrimp eat?
Coral Shrimp feed off of the little animals in the reef..
Do coral reefs have soil?
Coral Reefs do not have soil at all. Coral grows on the skeletons, or dead coral, and keep growing. So, they live on their own burial ground! They eat by waiting until nightfall, and extend their arm like tubes and feed on algae or plankton or other small organisms. Cool huh!
