How do reefs work differently than land ecosystems? Im doing a paper on the Grea

Question

How do reefs work differently than land ecosystems?

Im doing a paper on the Great Barrier Reef which was a reef that slowly disintegrated due to coral bleaching and climate change.

There are a few relationships I need to understand in order for me to get the big picture of the ecosystem and write an effective paper. Although the questions are loaded, I want to really get a good technical understanding of the aquatic ecosystem and how each niche interacts with each other to effectively meet their goals.

How do corals, fungi, phytoplankton, and other micro organisms interact to sustain life in a coral reef in general? Please include notable exchanges and compromises of CO2, O2, H2O, sugar, and light and their differences from land plants. I'd also want to know how photosynthesis/cellular respiration, life cycles of microorganisms like red algae and phytoplankton, and aquatic plant cycles are different from their land plants

Explanation / Answer

Coral reefs are formed by deposition of calcium carbonate secreted by the corals. Coral reefs are one of the important biodiversity hotspots. Here, the primary producers are algae and phytoplanktons. They receive less light when compared to terrestrial habitats and therefore contain accessory chlorophyll pigments for efficient light trapping and photosynthesis. Molluscs are the primary consumers. Secondary consumers include lobsters and small fishes. Sharks are the tertiary consumers.

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