Author Question: Compare and contrast the primary production (producers) in a sea grass and a coral reef including in ... (Read 35 times)

gonzo233 · **on:** Aug 22, 2018

Compare and contrast the primary production (producers) in a sea grass and a coral reef including in your answer a typical energy pyramid for both ecosystems.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

The ocean floor of the ________ zone is covered by soft oceanic sediment, primarily clay.

A) abyssal
B) bathyal
C) hadal
D) littoral
E) subneritic

ansleighelindsey · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Green surf grass (Phyllospadix) and various species of brown algae are exposed during an extremely low tide. When the tide rises, the anchored surf grass floats and provides a protective hiding place for many low tide zone organisms. Coral reefs are wave-resistant structures produced by corals and other organisms. Corals are composed of colonies of individual polyps, which are small benthic marine animals that feed with stinging tentacles and are related to jellies. Coral reefs are more than just coral. Algae, mollusks, and foraminifers contribute to the reef structure, too. Reef-building corals have a mutualistic relationship with microscopic algae (zooxanthellae) that live within the tissue of the coral polyp. The algae provide their coral hosts with a continual supply of food, and the corals provide the zooxanthellae with nutrients. Although coral polyps capture tiny planktonic food with their stinging tentacles, most reef-building corals receive up to 90 of their nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae algae. In this way, corals are able to survive in the nutrient-poor waters that are characteristic of tropical oceans.

Answer to Question 2

A