Exploring Ecosystems: Coral Reef Symbiosis | California Academy of Sciences

Dive beneath the ocean waves and explore the unique and diverse relationships found on a coral reef.

How do species interact on a coral reef? Dive beneath the ocean waves and explore the many unique symbiotic relationships found in this diverse ecosystem.

In addition to showcasing live footage from a unique ecosystem, each of the three videos in the Exploring Ecosystems series features an opportunity for students to actively participate in a problem-solving scenario based on an ongoing research project of an Academy scientist.

As you watch the video, be prepared to pause at key points to participate fully! Explore a coral reef in the Philippines with biologist Luiz Rocha with Bubbletip Sea Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) and their Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) guests, Whitetip Reef Sharks (Triaenodon obesus), Wrasse (Labridae), and Blenny (Blennioidei) in their symbiotic and parasitic relationships, as well as Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) and Cleaner Fish as we look at abiotic and biotic relationships.

The Coral Reef Symbiosis video investigates the following questions:

How do species interact on a coral reef?

What are the effects of abiotic and biotic interactions?

How do these interactions influence patterns of distribution and abundance within this ecosystem as a whole?

Check for Understanding

Describe two concrete examples of mutualistic relationships found on a coral reef, being sure to describe what each organism gets out of the deal.

Key Scientific Terms

abiotic: non-living

commensalism: a type of symbiosis where one organism benefits and the other is not affected in a positive or a negative way

ecosystem: the community of different species in a particular geographic area and all of their interactions with each other and the physical environment

mutualism: a type of symbiosis where both organisms benefit

parasitism: a type of symbiosis where one organism (the parasite) benefits and the other (the host) is harmed

symbiosis: a long-term relationship or interaction between individuals from two different types of species; the symbiotic relationship has a positive, negative or neutral impact on the participants

Connections to High School Standards

AP Biology

EK 4.A.5: Communities are composed of populations of organisms that interact in complex ways.

EK 2.D.1: All biological systems are affected by complex biotic and abiotic interactions.

Next Generation Science Standards

DCI: LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience

Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and Effect; Stability and Change
Science and Engineering Practices:Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Related Reading

Cleaner Wrasses https://blogs/fish-biodiversity-and-marine-biology/cleaner-wrasses

​In this brief article by Luiz Rocha, the scientist featured in the video, you'll learn why these fish are known as the "nurses" of the sea!

Ecosystems and Ecological Networks https://www.calacademy.org/explore-sc...

In this extensive article from our Biodiversity course, you'll dive deeper into a variety of common ecological interactions, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis

More from the Exploring Ecosystems Series

In this video series, students participate in problem-solving exercises as they explore how species interact with one another and their environment. While the coastal food web video covered kelp forests, the below tutorials discuss biodiversity and mutualistic relationships, respectively.

Exploring Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforest Diversity    • Exploring Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforest ...  

Trek through a tropical rainforest and explore the incredible diversity of species that call it home.

Exploring Ecosystems: Coastal Food Web    • Exploring Ecosystems: Coastal Food Webs | ...  

Enter a kelp forest and explore the various threads that connect species together in food webs.

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