Lesson 3:
Energy on the reef
Become an ocean explorer (ages 11-14)
Dive 3 – Energy on the reef
- We are going on a 15 minute dive on Agincourt Reef
- We are going to find out how life on the reef gets its
energy
- At the end of the dive you will need to make a food
web for the coral reef
Watch some videos of feeding on the reef,
and identify…
herbivores
consumers
predator
carnivores
producers
prey
Getting energy from the sun…
What kind of living thing gets its energy
from the sun?
What is the process of getting food from the
sun called?
Getting energy from the sun on the reef…
50% of photosynthesis
takes place in the ocean
and it’s not just plants!!!
Plankton (algae)
Zooxanthellae (algae)
Sea grass (plant)
Blue green algae (bacteria)
Seaweed (algae)
Some of the photosynthesis in
the ocean is performed by
plants, such as this sea grass.
There are two main types of algae in the
ocean. Algae can appear to be the same as
plants, but there are differences in where
they live, how they survive and reproduce,
and what composes them.
Microalgae, also
known as plankton,
are microscopic
algae that float with
the ocean currents.
Macroalgae, commonly known as
seaweed, often looks like a plant. This
example is known as turtle weed.
And stranger still is the fact that 20% - 30% of
photosynthesis is not by plants or the plant-like
algae but by this microscopic bacteria, known as
cyanobacteria because of its blue-green colour.
The zooxanthellae
photosynthesise and give
energy to the coral, receiving
nutrients in return.
Tiny algae, known as
zooxanthellae, live in the
tissue of the coral polyp.
Coral on tropical reefs get 70% 90% of their energy from the sun.
This means that they can grow these
amazing structures.
The zooxanthellae
photosynthesise and
give energy to the coral,
receiving nutrients in
return.
Tiny algae, known as
zooxanthellae, live in the
tissue of the coral polyp.
During the night, the coral
polyps use their tentacles
to catch tiny animals.
Coral on tropical reefs get 70% 90% of their energy from the sun.
This means that they can grow these
amazing structures.
Now for your dive mission, to make a
coral reef food web…
sea urchin
algae
triton’s trumpet
copepod
sea urchin
coral
manta ray
sea grass
tiger shark
phytoplankton
triton’s trumpet
algae
crown of thorns
starfish
parrotfish
green turtle
Sea grass
Parrotfish
The parrotfish eats coral
and some types of
algae. It is eaten by
large predators like the
tiger shark.
Sea grass receives its
energy from the sun. It
is the favourite food of
the green turtle.
Phytoplankton
Tiger shark
The tiger shark is an
apex predator meaning
that it is at the top of
the food chain. It feeds
on fish such as the
parrotfish and manta
ray as well as turtles.
Phytoplankton is the
scientific name for the
tiny algae in the ocean.
It provides food for
small animals such as
copepods and large
filter feeders such as
the manta ray.
Coral
Green turtle
Coral gets its energy
from small animals such
as copepods as well as
the algae inside its
polyps. It is eaten by
parrotfish and the
crown of thorns starfish.
The green turtle eats
sea grass. It can be
eaten by large predators
such as the tiger shark.
Algae
Sea urchin
Sea urchins feed on
algae and are prey for
shellfish like the triton’s
trumpet.
Algae receives energy
via photosynthesis. It
provides food for
herbivores such as
parrotfish and sea
urchins.
Triton’s trumpet
Manta ray
The manta ray is a filter
feeder, sieving tiny
algae and animals from
the sea water. It is
sometimes eaten by
larger sharks.
One of the most
poisonous animals on
the reef, the triton’s
trumpet feeds on
starfish and sea urchins.
Crown of thorns starfish
This starfish is a
specialist corallivore. It
has few natural
predators except for the
triton’s trumpet
Copepod
The copepod is a small
marine animal related to
crabs and lobsters. It
eats phytoplankton and
is eaten by a range of
animals, like manta rays
and coral.
Dive 3 log
- Complete your dive log
- How are the living things on the reef linked?
- What would happen if some of the species on the
reef started to disappear?
Photo credits
Slide
5
5,9,10
5,13
5,7,13
5,7
6
8
9,10
10
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Photo
Blue green algae
Zooxanthellae
Sea grass
Plankton
Seaweed
Sea grass meadow
Cyanobacteria
Coral polyp
Copepod
Brown algae
Triton’s trumpet
Crown of thorns starfish
Coral
Sea urchin
Copepod
All other images and photos Catlin Seaview Survey
Credit
leecanl
Emma Kennedy / University of Exeter
NOAA
NOAA
Digital Explorer
NOAA
Matthewjparker
OIST
NOAA
Graca Gaspar
NOAA
Matt Wright
Nhopgood
NOAA
NOAA