PPT Slide Slide 9 of 19 Primary Production-continued 1. Sources of production are the benthic algae and the zooxanthellae. Reefs are self-sufficient in terms of nutrients. Nutrient concentrations are usually low around coral reefs Coral reefs use regenerative and recycling mechanisms to create and maintain necessary nutrients 3.
Coral reefs are multitrophic.
Coral reefs also support secondary production. The support comes from the breakdown and decomposition of the primary producers.