Coral Reef Research Paper

Coral reefs exist all over the world and are generally known as being one of the most diverse, intricate and beautiful of all existing marine habitats. They have many varying structures which are developed by algae and are symbiotic with various reef building corals which are referred to as, zooxanthellae (algae). There are many other factors such as, coralline algae, sponges and other various organisms that are combined with a number of cementation processes which also contribute to reef growth, (CORAL REEFS, 2015).

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet. There are more than 25,000 known species of organisms and countless others that have yet to be identified (Helvarg, 2000). Reefs thrive on the shallow edge of tropical seas, most often on the eastern edge of continents along warm water currents that brush the coasts. Reefs cannot live in cold waters and are limited by ocean depth and available sunlight. Coral is the foundation of the reef community, providing a three-dimensional structure where thousands of species of vertebrates and invertebrates live and feed. Some species of coral are hard, while others soft. Some are branched, yet others are compact and rounded. Coral is made up of large

Consisting of less than 1% of the world oceans, the coral reefs are ancient animals comprising of thin calcium carbonate deposits within the photic layer. Aside from its biologically diverse ecosystems, coral reefs are major source of food for millions and provides habitats and nursery areas for many marine organisms. Coral reefs also act as a physical buffer to protect the coastlines from tropical storms and erosion. In addition, many local communities rely on coral reefs to generate an income through activities such as fishing and diving. However, 75% of the coral reefs are under threat from induced impacts of humans and climate change (Burke, et al., 2011). This essay looks at the human impacts constantly being inflicted on coral reefs.

First, I am going to talk about the importance of coral reefs. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. They are home to 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard coral, and hundreds of other species. Scientists believe that there are another 1 to 8 million unidentified species (NOAA). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, new drugs are being developed from

living in their bodies. These plants help feed the corals, soak up their wastes and

Although it may not be apparent to many, coral reefs are an immense necessity to ecosystems across the globe. They act as a major source of nitrogen and other critical nutrients for the hundreds of marine food chains that live close to or in these ecosystems. Coral is proves to be a major factor is recycling these nutrients. On top of this, coral reefs are a major component when it comes looking at its assistance in carbon and nitrogen fixing (an essential process due to the rise is global warming and pollution). Coral reefs absorb nearly one-third of the carbon dioxide generated by burning fossil fuels (GCCM). Aside from the ecological benefits, there are many benefits humans gain from healthy coral reefs. Coral reefs are an enormous help when it come to hurricanes. These reefs act as a natural barrier against storm surges. The natural barriers provide protection to coastlines from damage in which intense waves and tropical storms can bring. Reefs bring in billions of dollars to not only the United States, but hundreds of countries around the globe, as well as millions of employment opportunities. Reefs can help humans in the medical field as well. In these reefs lie the potential to implement biotechnologies and develop treatments for many illnesses, both acute and fatal alike. Coral reefs most crucial impact on this earth is one that cannot be disregarded. While coral reefs merely cover a fraction of a percent of the oceanic floor, these reefs produce what is estimated

The increased levels of acid inhibits the ability of marine animals which disrupts life within the systems food web. One species severely impacted by rising temperatures and excess carbon dioxide (ocean acidification) is reefs, in particular coral reefs. The higher temperatures lead to coral bleaching which is a stress mechanism that expels the colourful algae that inhibit them. Some individuals are able to recover, however many die resulting in an entire ecosystem to virtually disappear. If bleaching persists other damaging diseases will affect corals such as black band disease, white plague, white band disease and white pox which all have the ability to kill the coral which could potentially lead to the death of the extended ecosystems it

the coral reef needs sunlight to grow and also it doesn't grow more than 45 feet deep. the coral reef helps with the carbon monoxide and also it helps with the oxygen and the American bird also to feed in it. When the coral grows it grows a protective shell and it ti splits the waves so it doesn't come onto the shore and hit onto the shore full force. the stuff the collects onto the bottom of the ocean over the time forms into the rocks. The reef of the biome is the shallowest level of the reef and the narrowest of it. the foremost is the outer layer is close to the sea. This zone consists of the hardest layer of the coral. The corals are a members of the phylum Cnidaria. the coral reef is the most diverse in the marine ecosystem. coral reefs are really important to people because the value in America has got to about 30 billion dollars it provides us food and shelter for the aquarium the sexual reproduction the eggs are fertilized by sperm from another colony. There is 2 types of sexual reproduction a sexual and sexual the larva sets in a few days it becomes pulp. the coral reef grows at about 5 inches per year and 6 inches is the largest one that has ever came. The reef is the underwater big

The Earth has experienced 5 notable mass extinction events to date; these extinctions have impacted coral reef systems significantly. Every occurrence of mass extinction has left the Earth without living reefs for millions of years. These intervals of absence are often termed ‘reef gaps’ (geological intervals where there are no traces of what might have been existing reefs). The sources of these ‘events’ will be discussed further. The primary causes of mass extinctions are linked to the carbon cycle and make-up of the oceans. The acidification of our oceans is argued to be the most serious of all the predicted consequences of C02 increase, due to anthropogenic behaviors. This article will be inferring that acidification has the potential

Coral reefs are living structures comprised of the exoskeletons of a marine organism known as polyps. Polyps are animals that have a symbiotic relationship with algae that lives inside the polyps and provides the coral with energy through photosynthesis, which is the process of turning light into energy, and the coral provides a safe place for the algae to reside in. Bleaching in corals occurs when environmental stressors cause the coral to eject the algae from itself, causing the coral to lose its pigment and its main way of producing energy (Kenneth et al. 540). It is estimated that 30% of coral reefs around the world have been damaged or destroyed by bleaching, and about 60% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk from bleaching (Lönnstedt et al 1178-1185).

Scientists have known of this problem, but did not know the effects acidity had on marine life and ecosystems. Ocean acidification is causing reduced growth of coral reefs, is damaging the food chains of the ocean, and creating dead zones. Corals cannot absorb the calcium carbonate needed to maintain their skeleton structure. The chemistry behind this is becoming a reality. The decrease in the pH is upsetting the chemical balance of salt water when it comes to calcium carbonate, which is the chemical reefs use to build their coral. This reduces the carbonate ion concentration and makes it much more difficult for corals to maintain structure, let alone build it (EarthTimes, 2011). However, there is some good news to this, says Adina Payten, who is a research professor from the Institute of Marine Sciences. “There are some species of corals that can calcify and grow in environment with very low pH values.” On the flip side, these are not the corals that build the foundation for the coral reefs to grow. If the coral reef conditions continue to worsen, the coral reefs will never be as we know them today. Eventually there could be no coral reefs at all if something is not done to prevent the deterioration of the most beautiful parts of our

Coral reefs are diverse and extensive underwater ecosystems that provide habitats for around one quarter of the oceans species, an astoundingly high number considering they make up less than two percent of the ocean floor. These reefs are held together by calcium carbonate, and the corals themselves are living creatures with protective skeletons. However, these so called “rainforests of the sea” are in danger. Coral bleaching, an event in which a general increase in water temperatures leads to a reduction in the microscopic algae acting as a basis for the corals diet, is leading to the fragmentation of once vast and stable coral reef systems. Reef bleaching mainly occurs due to increases in carbon dioxide levels, which facilitate rising water temperatures and dangerous amounts of ocean acidification, otherwise known as pH.

Coral reefs are not only important for the environment but also beneficial for humans. Reefs provide fish to catch, economic financial gain from tourism and contain medicinal potential (Donner 2007). Fishermen are reliant on coral reef ecosystems, supplying them with an abundance of seafood to market or consume. The economy profits from the revenue generated by the attraction of tourism to the

A coral polyp is a spineless animal. Coral polyps can be the size of a pinhead while others are larger, sometimes a foot in diameter. One coral branch or mound is covered by thousands of these animals. They are invertebrates (spineless animals) and are cousins of anemones and jellyfish. When thousands of these animals are grouped together, they are referred to as coral colonies. Each coral "tree" or "mound" is one colony of coral polyps. A polyp has a sac-like body and an opening or mouth encircled by stinging tentacles called cnidae. The polyp uses calcium carbonate from seawater to build itself a hard, cup-shaped skeleton. This limestone skeleton protects the soft, delicate body of the polyp. Coral polyps are usually nocturnal, meaning that they stay inside their skeletons during the day. At night, polyps extend their tentacles out to feed.

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 that live inside the polyps and transform sunlight into oxygen, keeping the corals alive. As you will see, the corals need these algae in order to live, but too much is deadly.