An Analysis of the Aquatic Ecosystem and Conservation Efforts

This essay provides an overview of the aquatic ecosystem, which covers over 75% of the Earth's surface and supports a vast array of species. It delves into the classification of aquatic biomes into freshwater and marine habitats, with a specific focus on coral reefs as significant ecosystems. The essay highlights the importance of coral reefs, particularly as habitats and coastal defenses, while also addressing the threats they face, such as destructive fishing practices, pollution, and invasive species. It discusses the Oculina coral as a keystone species and examines the impact of invasive species like lionfish. Furthermore, the essay addresses endangered species, such as marine turtles, and underscores the need for conservation measures to protect the aquatic ecosystem from overexploitation.

Running head: THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM 1
The Aquatic Ecosystem
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THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM 2
The Aquatic Ecosystem
The aquatic biome is the largest of all the global biomes covering more than 75 percent of
the earth surface area. The biome offers a wide array of habitats which consequently support
staggering diversity of species. This essay will discuss the aquatic biome, important keystones
species, invasive species, and endangered species found in it.
The aquatic biome is classified into freshwater and marine habitats. The freshwater
habitat has a low salt concentration recorded below one percent while Marine habitats have a
high salt concentration recorded above one percent (Pratchett, Hoey & Wilson, 2014) Coral reefs
are among the numerous ecosystems found in the marine aquatic biome. Coral reefs are widely
distributed in warm shallow waters, mainly in the tropics (Pratchett et al., 2014).
Coral reefs are vital ecosystem to the individuals on the coastal lines as they serve as the
first line of defense against intense tropical storms and a habitat to some species (Hourigan,
2014). Numerous people depend on the coral reef fisheries as their primary source of food and
income. High-value tourism in various places relies on intact, healthy coral reefs to attract
tourists in remote regions of the world (Pratchett et al., 2014). The coral reefs, however, face
significant survival threats attributed to destructive fishing practices, pollution, and invasive
species.
Oculina or ivory tree coral is one of the essential keystone species that exist in the coral
reefs. Oculina is critical to the coral reef ecosystem as it is inhabited by more than 300 species of
invertebrates that dwell in its branches. For instance, in Florida, the Oculina coral reefs have
been identified as critical habitat for the fish (Pratchett et al., 2014). The Oculina banks are
threatened by damage from mechanical fishing gears. The Oculina are very important to the
survival of the species in the coral reef ecosystem. Therefore, the Oculina coral reefs need to be

THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM 3
protected from damage since the loss of the species will have detrimental value to the ecosystem
(Hourigan, 2014).
Numerous invasive species pose a significant risk to the coral reefs, including fish and
algae. Lionfish threaten the wellbeing of the coral reefs and other aquatic ecosystems (Ocha,
Rocha, Baldwin, Weigt & McField, 2015). The lionfish are fish eaters and have limited
predators outside their home range. The lionfish eat the herbivores which are expected to eat the
algae from the coral reefs. With a significant reduction in algal growth, the health of the coral
reefs is affected. To control the impact of the lionfish monitoring of the ecosystem is carried out
in a timely and systematic manner to determine the invasive species before they have a
detrimental effect on the coral reefs (Ocha et al., 2015).
Marine turtles are among the most endangered animals in the coral reefs. The loggerhead,
green hawksbill, and the leatherback turtle have been classified as the most endangered species
among the marine turtles (McFadden, Gómez, Sterling & Naro-Maciel, 2014). They are
endangered due to the fluctuation in their nesting numbers attributed to the climate change
leadings to flooding in their nests. Measures have been put in place to limit the exploitation of
the coral reefs. Endangered listing has been carried out to undertake immediate action against the
exploitation of the species and their habitats.
To conclude the coral reefs ecosystem is an essential part of the aquatic biome as it serves
as the habitat to numerous species. Therefore, there is a need to implement measures that
safeguard against overexploitation of the ecosystem.
References

THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM 4
Hourigan, T. F. (2014). A strategic approach to address fisheries impacts on deep-sea coral
ecosystems. Interrelationships between corals and fisheries.
McFadden, K. W., Gómez, A., Sterling, E. J., & Naro-Maciel, E. (2014). Potential impacts of
historical disturbance on green turtle health in the unique & protected marine ecosystem
of Palmyra Atoll (Central Pacific). Marine pollution bulletin, 89(1-2), 160-167.
Pratchett, M. S., Hoey, A. S., & Wilson, S. K. (2014). Reef degradation and the loss of critical
ecosystem goods and services provided by coral reef fishes. Current Opinion in
Environmental Sustainability, 7, 37-43.
Rocha, L. A., Rocha, C. R., Baldwin, C. C., Weigt, L. A., & McField, M. (2015). Invasive
lionfish are preying on critically endangered reef fish. Coral Reefs, 34(3), 803-806.