Coral Reefs and Bleaching Phenomenon
Imagine yourself observing one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. Thousands of species of plants and animals provide a dizzying array of color and motion. Massive structures provide a canopy that shelters hundreds of exotic species in a myriad of microclimates. As land-based observers, we almost automatically assume that this is a description of the rich 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 mentioned earlier, coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive of all communities on Earth. They are also the largest biological structures on the planet. The Great Barrier Reef, along the eastern coast of Australia, covers over 2000 kilometers and is said to be visible from the moon (Goreau, 1987). While the size of coral reefs can be enormous, their real
On a more positive note, according to Jon Luoma in his Audubon article, it appears that coral polyps can often survive if the water temperature cools (24). Current reasearch by Rob Rowan, who works for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, is also optimistic (Discover 1997). Rowan extracted DNA from coral samples and found that several different species of alage actually exist in the same coral species. A few months after a bleaching episode it appears that new species symbiotic alga can move in and restore the reef. Unfortunately, the coral itself can die without the influx of nutrients during the period of months it is undergoing bleaching (10). "Coral Color." November 1997. Discover Magazine-Current Clips. P10 Sometimes growing from a single polyp, a colony of thousands of similar polyps is soon established through sexual and asexual reproduction. The sheer vastness of a coral reef provides many other benefits. Coral reefs are crucial land builders in tropical areas, forming islands and altering continental shorelines. Coastlines are also protected from erosion as the reefs dampen harsh incoming waves. This is vital to maintaining the white sandy beaches that drive the tourist motivated economies in tropical regions. An example of the value of coral reefs in this regard is illustrated by Jon Luoma in his article "Reef Madness". Luoma explains that after a land-reclamation project that destroyed a reef in the Maldives, the government had to spend more than $12 million to build an artificial seawall that served the same purpose(24).
Some common words found in the essay are:
Marine Science, Van Alstyne, Research Institute, , Barrier Reef, Madness Luoma, Cohen Lobel, Ocean World, Hawaiian Islands, Panama Columbia, coral bleaching, coral reefs, coral reef, coral polyps, richmond 1993, degrees celsius, scientific american, increases coral bleaching, human bones, wilkinson 1987, warming ocean,
Approximate Word count = 1535
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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