Coral Reefs

A marine ecosystem

Are animals that share a mutualistic relationship with tiny algael cells called zooxanthellae, form the structure of the reef

--> Zooxanthellae perform photosynthesis

Distribution of reef-building corals is limited to the topics and subtropic

The formation of coral reefs is limited by abiotic factors:

• Water depth - low depth for light to be able to penetrate and photosynthesis can be carried out

• Salinity - to avoid osmotic problems

• Water clarity - turbidity prevents light penetration

• Temperature - warm temperature which is optimum for coral and zooxanthellae