The Crown of Thorns starfish (Acanthaster Planci)
Anjali Barnes
2016
Ms. Lee
9X
Acanthaster planci
Introduction
The Crown of Thorns starfish, or Acanthaster Planci, is one of the largest threats to the Great Barrier Reef. The starfish, also known as COTS, can have up to 21 arms, each with hundreds of toxic spines. They move by expanding and contracting these feet, and feed on hard coral. Abiotic features are non-living or physical factors and can have a large effect on the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and the Crown of Thorns starfish. These include water temperature and nutrients in water. The Australian Institute of Marine Science state that survival rates rise by 240% with only a 2 degree temperature increase, therefore contributing to the population burst of COTS. Also, nutrients in water have been proven to improve the survival of the Crown of Thorns starfish. In the wet season, flood plumes bring in nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef, which stimulates phytoplankton blooms and provides food for the starfish. Biotic factors, or things influenced by living components, also have an impact on the Crown of Thorns starfish, including human impacts and coral. COTS numbers have increased due to the fishing of predators, and they feed on coral to survive.
Discussion
In the past, …show more content…
New technologies are being developed and will be used later on, such as robots that can recognise the starfish and inject them. In terms of what is being injected, vinegar is going to start being used as it is an affordable, easily accessible alternative to bile salts and other chemicals. So far, studies show that the main influences on the decline of coral in the Great Barrier Reef are tropical cyclones, coral bleaching and the Crown of Thorns starfish. If this continues to happen, it is predicted that the amount of coral will drop by 50% over the next ten
Anjali Barnes
2016
Ms. Lee
9X
Acanthaster planci
Introduction
The Crown of Thorns starfish, or Acanthaster Planci, is one of the largest threats to the Great Barrier Reef. The starfish, also known as COTS, can have up to 21 arms, each with hundreds of toxic spines. They move by expanding and contracting these feet, and feed on hard coral. Abiotic features are non-living or physical factors and can have a large effect on the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and the Crown of Thorns starfish. These include water temperature and nutrients in water. The Australian Institute of Marine Science state that survival rates rise by 240% with only a 2 degree temperature increase, therefore contributing to the population burst of COTS. Also, nutrients in water have been proven to improve the survival of the Crown of Thorns starfish. In the wet season, flood plumes bring in nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef, which stimulates phytoplankton blooms and provides food for the starfish. Biotic factors, or things influenced by living components, also have an impact on the Crown of Thorns starfish, including human impacts and coral. COTS numbers have increased due to the fishing of predators, and they feed on coral to survive.
Discussion
In the past, …show more content…
New technologies are being developed and will be used later on, such as robots that can recognise the starfish and inject them. In terms of what is being injected, vinegar is going to start being used as it is an affordable, easily accessible alternative to bile salts and other chemicals. So far, studies show that the main influences on the decline of coral in the Great Barrier Reef are tropical cyclones, coral bleaching and the Crown of Thorns starfish. If this continues to happen, it is predicted that the amount of coral will drop by 50% over the next ten