Coral Ecosystem
l reefs are one of nature's most magnificent creations, filled with thousands of unique and valuable plants and animals. More than one quarter of all marine animals is dependent on coral reefs. Coral reefs are also a source of food and income for millions of people too. The coral reef ecosystems benefit humans commercially, recreationally and environmentally. Because of the complex interconnections between coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and many other different plants and animals, coral is very susceptible to destruction. One small change in any of these things can affect mass quantities of coral. That is why it is important to educate people about coral and how complex of a species they really are. That is the purpose of this report, to educate you and make you aware of that complexity. Coral is often mistakenly identified as a rock, but in all actuality, it is an animal. The actual coral is composed of small animals called coral polyps. Most polyps are very small, although rare species can grow quite large. One coral branch or mound is composed of thousands of polyps. These thousands of polyps are called a coral colony. Polyps are nocturnal and stay inside their skeletons during the day. However,
Human Interaction has a dramatic affect on the survival of the coral reefs. In the last half century, mankind has destroyed over 35 million acres of coral reefs. If this rate of destruction continues, 70% of the world's coral will be killed within our lifetimes. Because so many people depend on the reefs for survival, trying to prevent the destruction of the reefs is a great priority. This is completed by the great number of elements that need to be in perfect harmony in order for the reef to thrive. There are many threats that humans pose to the coral, the increase of sedimentation, fishing, collection of coral, water pollution, and careless recreation all destroy coral reefs. Construction along the coasts, inshore construction, mining and farming upstream, and logging causes soil to erode and this soil flows downstream and eventually into the ocean, covering coral reefs. This eroded dirt can cloud the water, killing the coral by reducing the amount of oxygen produced by photosynthesis. Mangrove trees and sea grass beds act as filters for this dirt and sand, however, these trees and beds are also being destroyed removing the filtration. This has led to an increase in the amount of sediment that reaches coral reefs. tom of the ocean on an island or a continental shelf. They most commonly can be found between fringing reefs and barrier reefs. They vary greatly in size, and will hardly ever reach the surface. Coral reefs are divided into four different classes: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, atolls and patch reefs. Fringing reefs are the most common type of reef. They grow near the coastline around islands and continents. They are separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons. Barrier reefs grow parallel to the coastline. At their shallowest point they can reach the water's surface forming a barrier to ships trying to sail through them. The most famous example of a barrier reef is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is the largest barrier reef in the world. Atolls are rings of coral that create a protective circle around a lagoon. Atolls are formed around active volcanoes. Over time the volcano sinks into the sea leaving the coral reef. The reef continues to grow after the volcano is gone. This leaves a reef out in the middle of the ocean with a lagoon in the middle of it but no other land surrounding it. Patch ree
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1601
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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