Coral Reef Ecosystem

Coral reefs contain an estimated one million species. No other ecosystem is composed of such a large number of different species. Corals are marine animals related to sea anemones and jelly fish. Coral often live in colonies made of millions of individuals. Some corals secrete calcium carbonate which forms the stony, non-living part of the reef. Corals get their nutrition from catching plankton and from the algae that live inside the coral.

The coral reef contains many species Individual polyps live in colonies to Sea fans growing amongst other

of coral, some are hard and make up a coral. The algae gives the species of coral.

some are soft. coral it’s color.

The stony coral reef is the habitat for other animals and plants. The reef provides food, shelter, protection and substrate for other species. The coral are the “backbone” of the coral reef ecosystem.

Coral Reef Food Webs

The Sun’s energy powers the photosynthetic organisms that form the base of the food web.

Plant eating animals such as fish, urchins and sea cucumbers patrol the bottom.

Algae and phytoplankton produce carbohydrates that provide nutrients for herbivorous animals.

Hawksbill turtles prey on sponges.

Tarpon, lionfish and pufferfish search out other fish to eat.

Removing any of these organisms from the coral reef impacts all the others. A stable food web keeps the coral reef ecosystem healthy.

Smithsonian’s Coral Reef Research

The Director of the Bocas Research Station, Rachel Collins, led a team of scientists in preparing the Photographic Identification Guide to Some Common Marine Invertebrates of Bocas del Toro, Panama. The guide identifies 95 sponge species, 43 corals and many other reef organisms.

Scientists D. Ross Roberson and Fernando A. Zapata conducted a study to answer the question of how may shore fish species are in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. There are 1,222 named and described fish species. Their research findings allowed them to estimate that the number of known species may increase by 12-15%.

Currently, Steve Barnes is studying the predatory

behavior of Stoplight Parrotfish on coral. His experiments

test the effect of parrotfish predation on where corals are

found in the reef. Also, he is studying which corals

parrotfish prefer to eat.

Threats to Coral Reef Ecosystems

Two thirds of the Caribbean Coral reefs suffer degradation. The map shows that the reefs on the Caribbean coast of Panama are facing medium to high levels of threats. In addition to the threats below, an increase in tropical ocean temperature is causing coral bleaching.

Coastal Development Clearing the mangroves causes more sediment to reach the ref. Increases in pollution including sewage, harms the coral and other organisms.

Over-fishing Catching too many of the reef fish disrupts the food web. Removing the algae eating fish can lead to algae covering the coral and causing its death.

Sedimentation Cutting forests increases soil erosion. The sediment blocks the light required by the algae weakening the coral.