Question

coral reef 1. what are the common threats to a coral reef ecosystem? 2. how do human - made ships affect coral? 3. what organism is coral and what keeps it alive? 4. name at least three abiotic factors found in a coral reef taiga 5. because of the long cold winters what kind of soil is under the trees that the taiga is covered by? 6. explain why a taiga is a major carbon sink. 7. why is deforestation a major problem for a taiga? 8. explain why the range of animals species in a taiga so small temperate deciduous forest 1) why do trees in temperate deciduous forests lose their leaves each year how might climate change impact the biodiversity in temperate deciduous forests? what would happen if a key predator disappeared from a temperate deciduous forest ecosystem

Explanation:

1. Coral Reef:

• Common threats include climate - change (ocean acidification and warming), overfishing, pollution, and destructive fishing practices.
• Seawater temperature affects coral as they are sensitive to heat and cold. High temperatures can cause coral bleaching.
• Corals are colonial polyps. Symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) live within them and provide energy through photosynthesis.
• Abiotic factors in a coral reef are water temperature, salinity, light availability, and water currents.

1. Taiga:

• Due to long cold winters, the soil under taiga trees is often podzol soil, which is acidic and nutrient - poor.
• Taiga is a major carbon sink because it has a large biomass of trees that store carbon through photosynthesis and the cold climate slows down decomposition, keeping carbon in the soil and vegetation.
• Deforestation is a major problem as it reduces carbon sequestration, disrupts habitats for wildlife, and can lead to soil erosion.
• The range of animal species in taiga is small because of the harsh climate, limited food sources in winter, and the specialized adaptations required to survive.

1. Temperate Deciduous Forest:

• Trees in temperate deciduous forests lose their leaves each year as an adaptation to changing seasons. In winter, it reduces water loss and damage from cold.
• Climate change can impact biodiversity by altering temperature and precipitation patterns, which can affect the timing of life - cycle events (phenology) of plants and animals, and may lead to range shifts or extinctions.
• If a key predator disappears, the prey population may increase rapidly, over - consuming resources, and can also have a cascading effect on other species in the food web.

Answer:

1. Common threats to a coral reef ecosystem: Climate - change (ocean acidification and warming), overfishing, pollution, destructive fishing practices.
2. How seawater temperature affects coral: High temperatures can cause coral bleaching as corals expel symbiotic zooxanthellae.
3. What organism is coral and what keeps it alive: Corals are colonial polyps. Symbiotic zooxanthellae provide energy through photosynthesis.
4. At least three abiotic factors in a coral reef: Water temperature, salinity, light availability.
5. Kind of soil under taiga trees due to long cold winters: Podzol soil.
6. Why taiga is a major carbon sink: Large biomass of trees store carbon and slow decomposition due to cold climate.
7. Why deforestation is a major problem for taiga: Reduces carbon sequestration, disrupts habitats, causes soil erosion.
8. Why the range of animal species in taiga is small: Harsh climate, limited winter food, specialized adaptations required.
9. Why trees in temperate deciduous forests lose their leaves each year: Adaptation to changing seasons to reduce water loss and cold - related damage.
10. How climate change might impact the biodiversity of temperate deciduous forests: Alters temperature and precipitation patterns, affects phenology and species ranges.
11. What would happen if a key predator disappeared in a temperate deciduous forest system: Prey population may increase, over - consume resources, and cause a cascading effect on the food web.