A Day On the Reef

Kelps and corals are reefs that provide an important ecosystem for life underwater. Although these two ecosystems might have some similarities and differences, Kelps are seaweeds and type of brown algae that look a lot like plants, with an organism that depends on water and get its energy from sunlight. The longest Kelp’s type can reach up to 53 meters. Corals on the other side are marine invertebrates that form compact colonies of many identical individual polyps. Though these reefs may look like beautiful plant growing from roots, it is actually an animal.

Aquatic animals decided which reefs suit best their organism. The table above describes a list of animals commonly found in their respective reef.

CORAL REEF	KELP FOREST
Batfish: omnivores that have an unusual habit of playing dead.	Leopard shark: a docile toward humans that feed on fish eggs, worms, and more
Cownose ray: eat mollusks and are strong swimmers.	Giant Sea Bass: spend much of their time in kelp forests waiting to ambush prey such as small sharks and crab
Southern sting rays are non-aggressive and carnivorous.	Sheephead wrasse (female): are carnivorous and hunt actively during the day
Queensland grouper: are active predators that feed on fishes and small sharks	Sheephead wrasse (male): are dominant Sheephead that feed mostly on sea urchins, crabs, lobsters, and other hard-shelled prey.
Napoleon wrasse: are solitary or in pairs and are carnivores feeding on shellfish and fishes.	Kelp bass: are not found only around kelp but as well around rocks, pipes, and pilings.
Barracuda: are ferocious and opportunistic predators that can reach 43 km/h, and feed on fish.	Opaleye: eats small invertebrates

Kelp forests and coral reefs both contain a large number of algae that grow in the shallow parts of the ocean in warm and sunny waters; and also provide food, nursery areas, and shelter—including protection from predators and storms. Although they might have some similarities, kelp is found in cold and nutrient-rich waters while corals grow in tropical climate zone and nutrient-low waters.

For the preservation of nature or tourism, scientists have created ways of bringing to human the realities under deep waters. A reef aquarium for example displays live corals and other marine invertebrates inside a tank and the Cayman Islands reef serves as a touristic area (in the UK) where people around the world visit to see marine creatures. 

Reference

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/scientists-say-kelp

 

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