The Great Barrier Reef Food Web
Producers
Corals are created by tiny animals called polyps. Coral polyps are related to sea anemones and sea jellies, and they secrete a limestone skeleton. This skeleton provides a hard structure that polyps can live on and that protects them from some predators. Coral polyps live in communities that are commonly called coral, which is made up of the limestone skeletons of previous generations. Coral polyps live insymbiosis, or a close, mutually beneficial relationship, with a type of algae calledzooxanthellae. These tiny plants provide food for the polyp, while the polyp provides a structure for the algae to live on. he coral reef food web is very tightly woven. Producers include algae and sea plants.
Primary Consumers
Small fishes, mollusks and coral polyps. Some fish even camouflage themselves as larger organisms by swimming inschools, or large groups (also called shoals).From far away, some animals might consider them to be one larger animal. The fish have similar repeating patterns such as stripes, making the blending effect even more deceptive.
Secondary Consumers
These animals are then in turn eaten by large fish, which are then eaten by larger fish and sharks.
Sharks are colored in such a way that they blend in with the surface of the water when viewed from below. Predators and prey alike have adaptations that allow them to blend in with the sand, rock, coral and water.
Decomposers
Crustaceans feed on the detritus (waste products) from plants and animals. These crustaceans are eaten by molluscs like octopuses as well as small fish.
Endangered Species in the Great Barrier Reef
The Sea Turtle
Many species of the sea turtle are endangered because of egg stealers. Turtle eggs are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Hunters search the nesting sites for nests, and then they dig up the eggs and steal them. They fetch a pretty penny so that someone can enjoy that baby turtle egg on their plate during dinner. It is now illegal to harvest turtle eggs, and there are a number of organizations that try to protect the eggs by taking them from the nests and incubating them. When the turtles hatch, they are set free into the ocean.
The Blue Whale
The blue whale is endangered for one major reason: hunting. Whalers brutally kill these precious animals to make money. Everyone has heard stories about whaling ships. Many people have read, or watched, Moby Dick. There has been a heated battled between animal protection organizations and the whaling industry. Despite the argument, it is now illegal to hunt whales, and the few remaining blue whales left in the oceans are protected.
The Dugong
The dugong is endangered because of hunting. Every bit of the dugong is sold. It’s flesh and blubber is sold, it’s bones and teeth become ivory jewelry. Parts are also sold for medicinal purposes, and its hide is used to make leather. A beautiful animal torn apart to appease man’s vanity.
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