Coral reefs have been undergoing global degradation due to increasing natural and anthropogenic impacts for at least the last half-century. The intensity and frequency of stressors, including global climate change, have rapidly increased in number over recent years (Hughes & Connell 1999; Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2007; Pandolfi et al. 2011). Frequent disturbances such as hurricanes/cyclones, predation outbreaks, diseases and mass bleaching events eat-away at the percent of living coral cover and without recovery, the available space is colonized by sponges, soft corals, and macroalgae. These alternative organisms are often competitive dominants in less than ideal conditions (Norström et al. 2009). The transition is termed a phase-shift from a coral-dominated landscape to one that is dominated by other benthic organisms. Phase-shifts are also often associated with low-herbivory (from disease and/or overfishing) and nutrient enrichment (from run-off and coastal eutrophication)(see Relative Dominance Model in Littler et al. 2006; 2009). The resilience of particular coral species to recover and/or resist disturbance and subsequent phase-shifts may be indicative of which coral reefs are more or less imperiled.
Macroalgae are frequently the competitive dominant driving phase-shifts, thus “coral-macroalgal phase-shifts” is widely used to describe unusually low-levels of coral cover and a persistent state of high macroalgal cover. There have been a number of studies and reviews describing the negative effects of macroalgae and phase-shifts on coral reefs (Done 1992; Hughes & Connell 1999; Hughes et al. 2003; Hughes et al. 2007; McCook et al. 2001; McManus & Polsenberg 2004; Birrell et al. 2008; Bruno et al. 2009). Potential competitive...
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...(SML) microbial samples were collected in Belize, the Florida Keys, and St. Thomas U.S.V.I. along interaction gradients between two ubiquitous Caribbean corals (Montastraea faveolata and Porites astreoides), and their interaction with foliose brown macroalgae (Dictyota menstrualis), and calcareous green macroalgae (Halimeda opuntia). These macroalgae were chosen because they are known to reduce coral growth rates, increase coral tissue mortality, and produce potent allelochemicals that are active against coral reef microorganisms (Ballantine et al. 1987; Lirman 2001; Beach et al. 2003; Rashar & Hay 2010; Morrow et al. 2011). We show that macroalgae can shift M. faveolata microbial assemblages more readily than P. astreoides. We also found that coral microbial assemablages of both species were less stable in Florida than at Belize or St. Thomas sampling sites.
Coral Reefs What are Coral Reefs? Coral reefs are said to be the foundation for many marine species, and are a crucial support for human life. The coral reef ecosystem is an a diverse collection of species that interact with each other and the physical environment. Coral reefs are the homes of many species including crabs, shrimp, oysters, and clams, foods eaten by humans on a daily basis. Coral reefs are among the most diverse and biologically complex ecosystems on earth, supporting 33%
The magnificent coral reefs that tease the delight of our minds; this is the world as we wish it would always be. In this great carnival of life, thousands of colorful characters co-exist, diversity strengthens the coral reefs. These underwater playgrounds are built by hard corals which produce limestone and turn it into homes. How wonderful that the largest living structures on earth are built by tiny animals! Coral reefs are essential spawning, nursery, breeding, and feeding grounds for numerous
sea’s coast, benefiting from the environmental assets provided by coral reefs on the shore. The reefs house roughly 1/3 of all marine fish species, creating “biodiversity hotspots that generate an estimated $30 billion a year in revenue, mostly from fisheries and tourism” (Pennisi). It is estimated that some 500 million people depend on coral reefs in some way, with close to 30 million entirely dependent on the benefits of the reefs. But, keeping to the trend of irony in this world, one of the world’s
Significance of Coral Reefs 30 May 2014 Coral reefs are a wondrous, colorful haven for an abundant array of marine plant and animal species. Many people have described them as the “rainforests of the seas” because of the biodiversity found in and around these precious ecosystems. On November 22, 1996, President Clinton gave remarks on the International Coral Reef Initiative in Australia. In his speech he stated, “Pollution, overfishing, and overuse have put many of our unique reefs at risk. Their
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The Coral Reefs Can we save “Tropical Rain Forests of the Ocean”? Anyone who’s ever scuba dived at a coral reef and seen the perfect handprint of dead coral can appreciate how fragile and delicate this ecosystem is. Coral reefs are not just rock, like some people believe, but are an animal. Corals are a type of animal called a polyp, the simplest of predators that eat meat in the form of drifting zooplankton…all corals have boarders, zillions of microscopic, one-celled plants called zooxanthellae
Coral reefs are systems of large, underwater structures that are composed of the mineralized bodies of corals. These corals are a class of marine invertebrates known as Anthozoans, and belong to the phylum Cnidaria, and are thus related to sea anemone and jellyfish. Each individual coral animal is only a few millimeters in diameter, and a few centimeters in length. Due to their sessile nature, and their ability to reproduce asexually, they are able to construct, over many generations, massive colonies
Coral reefs are well known for their colorful array of marvelous sights including a parade of exotic flora and fauna. They are said to be the foundation for a quarter of marine species, and are a crucial support for human life as well. The coral reef ecosystem is a diverse collection of species (ranging from microscopic to larger-than-life in size) that interact with each other and their physical environment. If any piece of a coral reef is harmed or removed the entire community can be seriously
CORAL REEFS Almost every one of us have heard and most of you have seen the Coral reefs but did you know what actually these are: As a mariner its important to know about the marine life, that was one reason I have chosen this topic for my today’s short presentation. GM, my scheme of presentation will be as flashed: DEFINATION OF CORAL REEF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORAL AND CORAL POLYP WHERE WE CAN FIND CORAL CONSTRUCTION OF CORAL REEFS CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH OF CORAL REEFS TYPES OF CORAL REEFS THREAT
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taking care of endangered coral reefs now! World government leaders should establish laws to protect them. People may ask, “If coral reefs are in such danger, why don’t we fix the problem since they provide benefits for the whole world?” Frankly, it’s not that simple. Protecting endangered coral reefs will provide the whole world with long lasting benefits. To figure out how to solve the problem, we must start with the benefits they provide for humans and nonhumans. Coral reefs support 128 corallivorous
lies with the “Rainforests of the Sea”, the coral reefs. Coral reefs are the most diverse and biologically richest of all marine ecosystems. As with almost every ecosystem and its members, coral reefs provide several ecosystem services. For instance, coral reefs serve as natural barriers against hurricanes and catastrophic storm surges, their chemicals may treat diseases, and they are a nitrogen fixation. On of the most important functions of coral reefs are that they are a major source of food for
Reef Restoration has been around for the past 30-40 years. It has been key in recovery towards the world’s coral reefs. The characterization of a reef restoration is that it is an act of returning the ecosystem to its original condition. Some elements of that include, rescuing a species, returning the reef to its original state, and increasing diversity within the ecosystem. Coral reefs are called home to a profuse variety of living creatures such as fish, lobster, clams, sea turtles, sharks, eels
Coral reefs need better protection. In the Cayman Islands coral reefs are on the decline and are slowly dissolving away and need better treatment than what is currently in place. Large portions of coral reefs have been devastated from a variety of people and cruise lines due to carelessness. Coral reefs needs a better safeguard because without them the current path it is taking will have a terrible effect on the fish who make their habitats in the coral, creating a negative effect on the ecosystem
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