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ReefLink Database

Turf Algae

Turf Algae

Turf algae is a type of low growing algae in reefs.

CMap

Algae are aquatic, photosynthetic plant-like organisms and include calcareous macroalgae, fleshy macroalgae, turf algae, and crustose coralline algae. Anemones & zooanthids are cnidarians very similar to coral, but are not characteristic reef builders. Biological Harvest is the collection of living things from the ecosystem for recreation, consumption, or sale of marine products. Calcareous macroalgae are large algae which deposit calcium carbonate to form skeletons. Carbon storage and cycling is the ability of an ecosystem to utilize, process, and store carbon. Contact Uses, such as biological additions, physical damage, and biological harvesting, are activities in which humans create pressures through direct contact with the ecosystem. Coral is a colonial marine animal consisting of polyps. Coralline algae is a low-growing type of algae on reefs that has calcareous deposits. Cultural services are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreational opportunities, aesthetic experiences, sense of place, and educational and research opportunities. Discharge limitations are responses to regulate and control the discharge of pollutants and the use of chemicals. Discharges are the intentional or unintentional distribution of chemicals, debris, or other pollution, into the environment as a consequence of human activities. Ecosystem monitoring and restoration refers to responses to directly alter the condition of the reef ecosystem through restoration or remediation activities, setting limits on degradation through biological criteria or water quality criteria, or improving knowledge through monitoring, mapping, and scientific research. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems . Fleshy macroalgae is any large algae which does not deposit calcium carbonate in it's tissues. An Invertebrate is any animal that lacks a backbone. Large herbivorous fish are any large bodied fish that primarily feed on algae, such as parrotfish and chubs. Nutrients are essential elements needed by plants and animals for growth and primarily include nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, as well as minor nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, or zinc. The Reef Ecosystem includes a suite of abiotic variables that form the physical and chemical environment. Physical Damage to reef habitat and wetlands can occur from vessel groundings, dredging, trampling, boat movement, anchor drops, trawling, and fishing gear. Pressures are human activities that create stress on the environment. Provisioning services are the products or ecosystem goods obtained from ecosystems, including seafood, genetic and biochemical resources, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources, and water resources. The state of the Reef Ecosystem is the condition, in terms of quantity and quality, of the abiotic and biotic components including physical, chemical, and biological variables. Reef Habitat is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the benthic components of the reef ecosystem. Reef Inhabitants are all of the motile components of the reef ecosystem, including fish, invertebrates, marine reptiles and mammals, and are quantified by their abundance, distribution, and condition. Reef Life is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the biological components of the coral reef ecosystem. Regulating Services are benefits obtained from ecosystem processes that regulate the environment, including erosion regulation, natural hazard regulation, and climate regulation. Resource use management pertains to responses to regulate or limit contact activities that may directly impact coastal species through harvesting or physical damage. Responses are actions taken by groups or individuals in society and government to prevent, compensate, ameliorate or adapt to changes in Ecosystem Services or their perceived value. Sea Urchins are small, spiny echinoderms that can be found in coral reef ecosystems. Small herbivorous fish are small bodied fish species, such as damselfish, tangs, and surgeonfish that primarily feed on algae. Socio-Economic Drivers include the sectors that fulfill human needs for Food & Raw Materials, Water, Shelter, Health, Culture, and Security, and the Infrastructure that supports the sectors. Sponges are sessile colonial animals with soft porous bodies supported by a fibrous skeletal framework. Supporting services are ecological processes that indirectly benefit humans by maintaining a functional ecosystem for the production of other ecosystem goods and services. Turf algae is a type of low growing algae in reefs. Zooxanthellae are flagellate protozoa that are golden-brown intracellular endosymbionts of various marine animals and protozoa, especially anthozoans such as the scleractinian corals

CMap Description

Macroalgae and turf algae compete for space with coral, sponges, and other species. Excess nutrients may alter competitive interactions among algae and coral. Many fishes and invertebrates are key grazers, helping to maintain algae and prevent it from overgrowing coral. A number of algal species, including calcareous macroalgae and crustose coralline algae, deposit calcium carbonate during growth, and may contribute to reef structural strength. Crustose coralline algae may help facilitate recruitment of stony coral. Algae are primary producers, and provide some habitat and resources for marine fish and invertebrates, however often not to the same degree as coral reef habitat. As a result, overgrowth of coral reefs by algae will likely result in a loss of ecosystem goods and services. Many of the sectors which benefit from reef ecosystem services also contribute to algal overgrowth through pollution and overfishing. Monitoring, mapping, and scientific research can be used to track the distribution and abundance of algae, and to understand competitive interactions between coral, algae, and other species.

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