Coral Reefs and How We Can Save Them Essay - 999 Words

INTRODUCTION Coral reefs are underwater arrangements made from calcium-carbonated substances, which are released by corals. Coral reefs are gatherings of small and large organisms, which are found in marine waters that contain scarce nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps belong to group of animals’ known as Phylum Cnidaria, which in turn secrete hard carbonate exoskeletons, which support and protect their bodies. Reefs grow best in warm, shallow, clear, sunny and agitated waters (â€Å"NOAA and CoRIS†). Shallow water corals that live in warm water often have another source of food, the zooxanthellae. These specific single-celled algae practice a process†¦show more content†¦This phenomenon that is very interesting to researchers due to the fact it happens only on a particular night every year (The Ocean Portal Team). Moreover, once the larva is released and roaming on its own it needs to constantly find light in order to survive. They remain swimming towards to surface where they live for few days to even weeks, by this time if the larvae is not eaten by roaming predators the larvae then makes its descent to the ocean floor where it must find a hard surface to attach themselves. Furthermore, the attached planula now metamorphasizes into a coral polyp begins to divide itself through as sexual budding and making genetic copies of itself and eventually a coral colony is formed. Once, completely formed the cycle will then repeat itself. However, corals can also only go through asexual reproduction yielding in solitary polyps or vast colonies that are identical to each other. They go through budding or fragmentation, a cause of this as result of natural disturbances such as a storm or through being struck by fishermen. Coral reefs are sometimes called â€Å"rainforests of the sea† due to the fact that they are a habitat that holds such a diverse amount of aquatic organisms. Furthermore, coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the world’s ocean surface; however, they do provide 25% of all marine species.Show MoreRelatedThe Great Barrier Reef ( Environmental Lens )1401 Words   |  6 PagesGreat Barrier Reef (Environmental Lens) The Great Barrier Reef is a vast organic structure that has existed longer than man. It has always been present underneath the water surface near the coast of Australia, harboring many different types of sea creatures. Over the past few decades, the reef has slowly been dying. Humans have been negatively affecting it for a while now, although they may not have known it at that time. We, as humans, have the duty to correct our mistake and take responsibilityRead MoreCoral Reefs : A Study From National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration923 Words   |  4 Pagesour eyes we see a beautiful, diverse, colorful reef that adds beauty to the ocean and to the fishes. Others see a peaceful bed for the oceans floor. Creature on the other hand see a shelter, and protection from people or bigger animals that lurk for their pray. Coral reefs aren’t made for its scenery, but as an ecosystem for many plants and animals. They do not only help the animals but serve to people as important so urces of income, food, protection, and new medicines of mankind. Coral reefs are lessRead MoreThe Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico1430 Words   |  6 Pagesthink of is coral reefs. You don’t even think of it as place to go surfing. If you ask a surfer what a reef is, they would probably say something that gets in my way while surfing. 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Veron, a former chief scientist whom is the world’s greatest scientific authorities on corals and coral reefs. Veron who has lived and worked on the Great Barrier Reef for most his life has discovered over 20 percent of the known coral species today. And today, he gives us an insight on why the earth’s reefs face a likely mass extinction within the lifespan of the younger generation