Insect Ecology @ Au Sable - spring 2024

CORAL REEFS What Are They? What Classifies A "Coral Reef?" Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine ecosystem with hundreds of organisms living symbiotically for each other. Often called “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs provide shelter and food for many organisms. Scientists believe that modern coral reefs have been forming and evolving for the last 25 million years. Coral reefs are very delicate ecosystems, and grow at a very slow rate, therefore, it is important that humans (especially divers) care for them. www.science20.com What Are They Made Of? Who Can You Find There? Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems made of calcium carbonate structures or limestone deposited by organisms. There are thousands of different species of coral in the coral reef communities. “Out of those thousands only a fraction produce the limestone reef” (McGraw Hill).  They are built by colonies of many polyps all connected by tissue. The colony ri...

Mangrove forests are a unique ecosystem that cater to many different facets of life. They are coastal tree species, ranging from the tip of Florida through the tropics and the subtropics. These species actually grow in the saltwater estuaries along coasts. Because they are located along the coast, mangroves are considered to be facultative halophiles, meaning they are able to tolerate and grow within salt or fresh water. Their thin, long roots provide a sanctuary for juvenile fish species against large predators. It also makes a good fish hatchery! In addition, mangroves provide habitats for many terrestrial species, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. Just like fish that hide their eggs amongst the roots, birds make their nests well hidden in the mangrove forests. Besides being hotspots for biodiversity, mangroves offer ecosystem services that can benefit humans. Their long “prop” roots help prevent coastal erosion and help to weaken tropical storms by absorbing the powerful win...

Seagrass Beds Seagrass beds are very important to the environment and many animals that are in the ocean. Seagrasses ( Division Angiospermae) are flowering vascular plants that live in shallow parts of the ocean and all around the world, which only grow in marine, fully saline environments . Seagrasses are the only flowering plants to live in the water and are one of the most important species to the ocean. Seagrasses grow by rhizome extension, and often grow in large "meadows", which look like grassland: in other words, many of the species of seagrasses superficially resemble terrestrial grasses of the family Poaceae. Seagrasses are a great habitat for many species, especially for young organisms to hide from predators and provide food for several species as well. Seagrass beds also help with erosion and protection on the shoreline for many organisms such as sea turtles.      H undreds of species feed on seagrasses worldwide, including green turt...

By Taylor Marshall and Ali Bland  Overview: Waves crashing into rocks, sediment being shifted, water rushing and all the while life continues in the ecological communities that make up the rocky intertidal environment. Locations like exposed cliffs to sheltered rocky shores, are excellent places for this ecological system to thrive. Many of these locations are used as recreational spots to explore tide pools. While it does thrive, the rocky intertidal environment is one of many extreme environments. Air temperatures can range from freezing, to a sweltering hot. These areas are exposed to both high and low tides, causing the condition of moisture to change rapidly. Along with moisture deficits, salinity levels in tidal pools can be very low, whereas sea water can be high in comparison. When high tide comes crashing in, the salinity of the tide pools will shoot up, forcing organisms to adapt quickly. The turbulence of water can also be a deciding factor on what types of org...