Rainforests of the Ocean

Rainforests of the Ocean

Coral reefs are large societies of small living organisms. They are made up of millions of various creatures including fish, starfish, sea urchins, and so much more. Despite the fact that coral reefs make up fewer than one percentage of the Earth’s surface, coral reefs are still one of the greatest diversified ecosystems in the world due to the creatures that live in and around the reefs. Coral reefs are located in shallow, warm waters in the tropics around the Bahamas, in the Red Sea, and near the Hawaiian islands. The largest coral reefs are the Great Barrier Reef, the Red Sea Coral Reef, and the New Caledonia Barrier Reef. (“The World’s 10 Largest Coral Reefs”)

Coral reefs are made up of the calcium carbonate skeletons of polyps. Polyps are soft, tube-shaped bodies that eventually join together. Their shape is that of a tin can with an open mouth, ringed by long tentacles with stinging cells. Since polyps are not able to move, they use these stinging cells to capture any creature that ventures within its grasp. Individual polyps are most often very small, but their skeletons build up to eventually form the large colonies we are used to seeing. Polyps construct the hard, exterior skeleton to protect their bodies. When carbon dioxide blends with the sea water, carbonic acid is formed. The polyps take calcium ions out of the water and forms calcium carbonate which is used to build a limestone skeleton. Although the original skeletons are plain white, the corals do eventually acquire their well-known brilliant colors by means of other living organisms. These hues are caused by the microalgae zooxanthellae. These single celled organisms contain a symbiotic relationship with the coral polyps. Symbiosis is t...

... middle of paper ...

.... The real problem is human actions. Human sewage, toxic chemicals, pesticides and more can throw off the delicate water balance that the corals need to survive. Conservation efforts are being made to avoid all of these human-caused problems. (“Coral Reef Protection: What Problems Exist?”)

Coral reefs have a large significance in the world. The sensitivity of the coral polyps and the many creatures living inside the coral can show ocean water quality and if there are any significant changes in temperature, pH, salinity, and chemical makeup of the water. Reefs also protect the coasts and prevent erosion. In addition, coral reefs have also been shown to improve the economy from their status as a very popular tourist attraction. In conclusion, coral reefs have a large impact on the world in several ways. (“Coral Reef Protection: Why are Coral Communities Important?”)