Biotic reef. They are among the best known and sought after in the features world under the water . Although the definition of a reef in nautical terms can encompass a wide range of aquatic structures located below the surface, there are several biotic and abiotic factors that give each one a special aura.
Summary
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- 1 Basics
- 2 Biotic factors of reefs
- 3 Abiotic factors of reefs
- 4 Biotic reef
- 5 Source
Basic concepts
Although there is no universally accepted definition of a reef , most agree that they are often far reaching in underwater landscapes , varying in shape, size and composition. There are different types of reefs, the barrier reefs that surround the small masses of fringe reefs that can be found within a few meters of the shores. All reefs are made up of biotic and abiotic factors, which are essentially building blocks of any biome, or of the ecological community .
Biotic factors of reefs
There are two well-known types of reefs that rely almost exclusively on the biotic factors that make up their composition.
- The coral reefs tropical, which are often huge and very widely distributed, are composed of large communities of growing coral. These corals, which make up the majority of reefs, home to many other types of organisms , help create an important and diverse aquatic community.
- The oyster reefs are not uncommon, and are composed of layers upon layers of oysters .
Reef abiotic factors
The base of almost all reefs is found in rocks . Rocks that lie in succession can provide adequate anchorage for coral , the main biotic factor of many reefs, to grow and spread. Light temperature , salinity and water are also the vital abiotic factors of reefs. Salinity determines the type of fish that can live in the community, while water temperature and exposure to light are important in the formation of reefs. One of the best known and most beautiful reefs in the world is the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, owes its greatness to its warm waters, the perfect amount of light exposure, and saline waters that allow for a great abundance of life.
Biotic reef
There are a variety of biotic reef types, including oyster reefs , but the most extensive and widely distributed are tropical coral reefs . Although corals are the main contributors to the structure that comprises a coral reef, the organisms that are most responsible for the growth of the reef in the face of the constant assault of ocean waves , are calcareous algae , especially the species of coralline algae .
These types of biotic reef can take on specific names, depending on their position relative to the land , if any. Reef types include fringing reefs , barrier reefs and atolls . A fringe reef is connected to the mainland. A barrier reef forms a calcareous barrier around an island that results in a lagoon between the shoreline and the reef. An atoll is a ring of coral reefs, without the presence of land.
