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OCN 201 Eleventh Readings Discussion Questions

Ocean Ecosystems I

Segar - Chapter 17 (p. 498)

1. Define ecosystem. (Also see p. 6G)

2. Define community. (Also see p. 4G)

17.2 Coral Reefs (p. 499)

3. Give the extent of the habitats for hermatypic corals. (Also see fig. 17.2 and fig. 15.11 on p. 423)

Environmental Requirements for Coral Reef Formation

4. Explain why coral reefs form only within the photic zone.

5. Discuss the factors that inhibit coral reef formation in warm waters.

Factors Affecting Coral Reef Productivity

6. Describe the symbiotic relationship between coral and zooxanthellae.

7. Why do corals reefs have high biological productivity? (Three reasons)

Primary Producers in the Coral Reef Community

8. Describe the importance of benthic and encrusting microalgae in the coral reef ecosystem.

Coral Reef Niches and Topography

9. Explain why coral growth is inhibited in the lagoon. (Also see fig. 17.3)

10. Explain why the reef terrace is relatively sediment-free. (Also see fig. 17.3)

11. Explain why encrusting corals (as opposed to branching corals) dominate the reef terrace.

12. Explain how an algal ridge forms. (Also see fig. 17.3)

13. Explain the reason for coral zonation on the seaward reef face. (Also see fig. 17.3)

17.4 Rocky Intertidal Communities (p. 507)

14. List the stresses that intertidal organisms endure.

15. Explain the reason for communities zonation in the intertidal zone. (Also see fig. 17.10)

16. Contrast the atmospheric exposures for the four intertidal zones.

Supratidal Zone

17. Define supratidal zone. (Also see p. 15G)

18. Give examples of supratidal organisms in Hawai'i. (Also see figs. 17.11 and 17.12)

High-Tide Zone

19. Give the advantages and disadvantages for life in the high-tide zone compared supratidal zone.

20. Use fig. 17.11 to determine which type of organisms are abundant in the high-tide zone.

Middle-Tide Zone

21. Give a dominant predator in the middle-tide zone. (Also see fig. 17.11)

22. List several other middle-tide zone organisms. (Also see fig. 17.11)

Low-Tide Zone

23. List common low-tide zone organisms. (Also see fig. 17.11)

24. How do organisms protect themselves from the principle physical hazard in the low-tide zone.

Tide Pools

25. List the variables that make each tide pool unique.