The Reef's Plants
There are many different types of algae in this ecosystem. Algae are very important to marine ecosystems because they are the main producers in the ecosystems. Algae are different from normal land plants because they do not have roots. They can range in size from single celled plankton to large seaweed. Unlike algae, seaweed are natural flowering plants like normal land plants.
Tiny algae (zooxanthellae) uses photosynthesis to give energy to the coral when the coral Red algae is very important. They form crusts that cement together the coral and make up the framework of the reef.
Red algae is more common in shaded areas and tend to be on the bottom sides of coral rubble. Red algae can also be bushy seaweed. These are found in deep water. Brown algae are found in cooler areas in kelp beds. They are brown because they contain extra pigments.
Green Algae are sea lettuce, sea grapes, and turtle grasses. Green algae contributes to the sediment that forms sand banks.
Seagrasses are important to more coastal areas. They provide a place for small animals to live. They stabilize sediment to help keep the water clear. They are the only flowering plants in the ocean. All flowering plants are angiosperms.
Phytoplankton are also one of the marine plants. They serve as food for krill and the coral.
Mangrove trees are a very important part of the ecosystem. They help keep the water clear.
Tiny algae (zooxanthellae) uses photosynthesis to give energy to the coral when the coral Red algae is very important. They form crusts that cement together the coral and make up the framework of the reef.
Red algae is more common in shaded areas and tend to be on the bottom sides of coral rubble. Red algae can also be bushy seaweed. These are found in deep water. Brown algae are found in cooler areas in kelp beds. They are brown because they contain extra pigments.
Green Algae are sea lettuce, sea grapes, and turtle grasses. Green algae contributes to the sediment that forms sand banks.
Seagrasses are important to more coastal areas. They provide a place for small animals to live. They stabilize sediment to help keep the water clear. They are the only flowering plants in the ocean. All flowering plants are angiosperms.
Phytoplankton are also one of the marine plants. They serve as food for krill and the coral.
Mangrove trees are a very important part of the ecosystem. They help keep the water clear.