Lectures 10-11- coral reefs in warming and acidifying oceans Flashcards
(13 cards)
where are coral reefs concentrated?
at the central indo-pacific
explain the symbiotic relationship of corals
-corals have symbiotic realtionships with zooxanthellae. these provide food and nutrients, the coral provides shelter
What percentage of marine species live in coral reefs?
33% of known species
What is the value of coral reef ecosystem services?
9.9 trillion dollars per year
Where is Cora species richness greatest?
In the central Indopacific
What are the three biotic reactions in coral reefs, and why are these interactions high?
- predation (butterfly fish feed on corals)
- competition (between algae and settling coral polyps)
- mutualism (symbiotic relationship)
What dare the six threats to coral reef health?
Nutrient enrichment, overfishing, aquarium trade, cots outbreaks, dredging, cyclone activity
By which two methods do corals gain energy?
- Photosynthesis with their symbolic algae
2. Capturing plant on with their tentacles
What is the sequence of coral response to being pushed out of optimal conditions by events such as temperature rise?
Increased mucus secretion leads to polyp withdrawal and subsequent bleaching of corals
Describe the three step of coral bleaching
- there is damage to the photosynthetic apparatus
- this generates large amounts of reactive oxygen species
- this overwhelms oxygen handling pathways and leads to the injection of the zooxanthellae
What are the three photosynhtic apparatus damaged in coral bleaching?
- the DI protein
- the Calvin cycle
- the thylakoids membranes
What are the reactive oxygen species generated in photosynthesis?
- singlet oxygen
- superoxide
How do corals attempt to limit damage during bleaching events?
They secrete photo protective fluorescent proteins that reflect and dissipate Uv
