Coral reefs are striking, complicated, and important features and structures of the marine environment. Reefs are geologic formations constructed from accumulated skeletons of limestone-secreting animals and plants. The intimately linked plant-animal communities that created them are representative of an ecosystem that occurs in tropical and subtropical waters of oceans and seas across the planet, most commonly in shallow oceanic water near the coast that is often close to land. Coral reefs have
ecosystem of a tropical rainforest. However, if we take ourselves off the safety of dry land and immerse ourselves in the ocean, we will find an equally dynamic environment in the depths of our world’s coral reefs. As a Zoology major, I quickly decided to explore this biological component of the ocean environment. In the following paper, I will provide a general overview of coral reefs and examine the alarming depletion of coral and their ecological symbionts in a process known as coral bleaching. As
Abstract Located in tropical ocean waters, coral reefs provide priceless resources to both human and marine life. The leading natural cause of destruction among the coral reefs is global warming. Other natural causes are earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. The destruction to the coral reefs from these natural disasters is minimal compared to the dangers caused by man. Man-made destruction has a much wider impact on the health of the coral reefs. This destruction includes over-fishing
activity impact the coral reefs? For a long time, human overconsumption has depleted the earth’s resources and as a result, has led to the extinction of any important species in all eco systems. Coral Reefs are a major component to the ocean and its marine food chain. Just like many other ecosystems, the health of coral reefs in general is in a decline, for many reasons. Some reasons include but are not limited to: CO2 emissions, Overfishing, Explosive fishing, and Pollution. Coral Reefs are again one
of the Great Barrier Reef suggest that more than 90 percent of it has been affected by bleaching. The Great Barrier Reef, known arguably the most iconic, and well known coral reef on the planet is not immune to bleaching. Penis. The problem however is not only in the GBR, it’s stretching as far as the South Pacific to the Caribbean. With the rate of reef bleaching increasing, the toll taken on the ecosystem will increase as well as many fish who rely on getting food at reefs will have to find new
Coral Bleaching Abstract Coral reefs have been called the rainforests of the ocean and are one of the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet. This paper will explore how global warming has effected these fragile ecosystems. It will focus on the impact of increasing ocean temperatures on coral reefs. Coral Reefs Coral reefs exist globally from 30N to 30S latitude and have existed in some form on Earth for over 200 million years. Over 2500 species of coral have been identified
Great Barrier Reef Introduction Coral reefs around the world are in danger. One of the causes is global warming, which has been increasing the temperature of the ocean water resulting in coral bleaching. This essay will focus on damage occurring to the Great Barrier Reef. What is a Coral Reef? A coral reef is a ridge formed in shallow ocean water by accumulated calcium-containing exoskeletons of coral animals, certain red algae, and mollusks. Coral reefs are tropical, forming only where
Coral Reef Ecosystems What is a coral reef? Coral reefs are the most biologically diverse marine eco-systems on earth, rivaled only by the tropical rainforests on land. Corals grow over geologic time and have been in existence about 200 million years. Corals reached their current level of diversity 50 million years ago. The delicately balanced marine environment of the coral reef relies on the interaction of hard and soft corals, sponges, anemones, snails, rays, crabs, lobsters, turtles
Coral Reef Conservation Coral reefs are calcium carbonate structures secreted by miniscule coral polyps, and are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Home to about 25 percent of ocean life, coral reefs are additionally crucial because they protect coastlines from damaging situations such as tropical storms and wave action. Today, more than 20 species of coral reefs are endangered due to pollution, ocean acidification, and rising ocean temperatures (Lee, J. J. 2014). Florida is home to
Coral reefs, which are underwater structures created by calcium carbonate secretions, are some of the richest interdependent ecosystems on Earth. According to Wikipedia, coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of Earth’s ocean surface, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species. Often referred to as the “rainforests of the ocean,” coral reefs are home to thousands upon thousands of species of plants and animals (“Coral Reef”). Not only are they an important part of ocean environments, but