Coral Reef Research Paper

Corals are tiny immobile animals that live in colonies, where each cluster is called a polyp. Different species build structures of various sizes and shapes, such as brain or fan coral, creating a diverse and complex ecosystem (EPA 2000). Nearly all reef-dwelling corals have a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with the algae, which live inside the coral polyps and perform photosynthesis, a process that produces food that is shared with the coral (Fagoonee 1999). In addition, the algae share its

Have you ever been to a coral reef if not you will learn about them today.The coral reef biome is one of the most interesting biomes. In this paper you can learn about the climate and location ,the pants and animals,also there environmental concerns and the human impact on the coral reef biome.

Coral bleaching is normally characterized by the expulsion of the zooxanthellae algae, loss of algal pigmentation, or both. Coral bleaching events have had serious effects on corals and reefs worldwide. What is crucial to the understanding of zooxanthellae expulsion and bleaching is how the density of zooxanthellae within the coral is changing, if at all, under the prevailing range of environmental conditions (Gates and Edmunds, 1999). Over the last twenty years, there has been a dramatic increase in both the frequency and intensity of coral bleaching events. Sixty major bleaching events have been reported between 1960 and 1979, whereas only nine were reported prior to 1979 (Huppert and Stone, 1998). Given the dependence of the coral on this symbiotic algae, it is important to determine the cause of these bleaching events. According to Helvarg (2000, p.12):

The Great Barrier Reef, the largest known reef in the world, is a majestic and beautiful attraction for tourists who visit Queensland, Australia and are looking for an adventure. Many people go to scuba dive, snorkel, or swim in the crystal clear water. There are many more unforgettable experiences that can be done at the Great Barrier Reef, which can be seen from space. The reef is home to a variety of organisms, has many threats that affect it, but in the end, overcomes all of them to thrive and become more beautiful than before.

In addition, the research article illustrates how bleaching of the coral reefs is a global issue with findings that imply that all regions in which coral reefs are located are equally affected with the decline of the coral reef in one given area. Likewise, findings in the research article show that coral reef decline is not limited to regional stressors, but also human impacts such as sedimentation as a result of urban development. The main issue discussed in the article is emphasized in the research article, suggesting the urgent need to implement policies to conserve coral reefs. Both articles touch upon the fact that coral reefs can grow back, however in the research articles one finding implies how coral reefs take a noteworthy amount of time to grow and gain its normal composition. Ultimately, the research article does not contradict the news article, but instead compliments the news article and reaffirms the growing issue of coral reef decline as a result of climate events and human

Many types of coral have a special symbiotic relationship with a ting marine algae called zooxanthellae that lives inside corals’ tissues and are very efficient food producers that provide up to 90% of energy that corals require to grow and reproduce (GBRMPA, 2016). Bleaching occurs when the relationship between the zooxanthellae and their coral host breaks down. This can be caused by a number of environmental stresses,

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).

Developing organizations, such as The Ocean Agency and the Coral Restoration Foundation, have been raising concern in efforts to conserve and furthermore sustain aquatic life and the ecosystem in which they inhabit. These unique fish, found living and populating among the coral reef, face a level of degradation and life threatening obstacles. The coral reef acts as a home to more than a quarter of the know fish species, where their population and species have been widely studied. This ecosystem is a beautiful representation of life which supports, and is supported by other neighboring ecosystems; embodying a significance as the leading consumer item for those who live along the reefs. Their importance to our planets collective ecosystem is not fully understood, due to the way these ecosystems are interconnected to one another, but nevertheless illustrates an example of a struggling life which may provide problems for both terrestrial and aquatic life-forms. Aside from the human dependency, being that “More than 450 million people live within 60 kilometers of coral reefs, with the majority directly or

The coral reef of the Bahamas is home to a large variety of different organisms including sponges, fish, anemones, sea stars, and crustaceans. They all use the reef as a form of resource for food, protection from predators, or a place to live (Harborne et al. 2006). However, coral reefs all around the world are in danger of depletion and destruction more now than ever (Richardson 1998). Damage to the coral reef is caused by a number of factors such as increasing temperatures or reduction of sea pH (van Hooidonk et al. 2013). These factors lead to an increase in diseases (Kuta and Richardson 2002; Zvuloni et al. 2009; Patterson et al. 2002; Gil-Agudelo et al. 2004). There is a large range of different diseases affecting a variety of coral species

This may explain the frequent dominance that micro-algae have over coral. While neither enhanced nutrients nor sedimentation are good for corals, their combined effect is far worse. Coral reefs that experience loss of herbivores or flood plumes are subjected to very rapid micro-algae growth in the summer. If there has been a substantial reduction in herbivores, and no way to inhibit the growth of algae, the increase in cover would still occur in certain places (i.e. the Great Barrier Reef), with or without the change in nutrient availability. This indicates that increased nutrients in the waters are not necessary for regime shifts in many

As a result of this, more sediment is released into rivers that flow out into the ocean and coral reefs. Mangrove Forests are found between 32 degrees north and 38 degrees south latitude (www.earthisland.org ). They protect the coastlines from erosion, storm damage, and wave action. They also serve as sediment traps from inland sources, and help protect coral reefs from over sedimentation. As land clearing and intensive farming increase these important ecosystems become scarce (Wolanski and Spagnol 1999). Clearing the land causes an increase in soil erosion, creating mud that flows out to coral reefs. Nowlis et. al. (1997), found more sediment and coral damage on reefs closest to large river mouths. Sedimentation ultimately smothers coral reefs by reducing sunlight needed for photosynthesis (Birkeland ). Normally corals can sustain low levels of sediment supply by using natural removal processes. Over time they are unable to remove the sediment if there is too much sediment in the water (Grigg and Dollar 1990). In worst case scenarios sediments can bury corals completely. This was the case about 35 years ago in Castle Harbor, Bermuda. After dredging practices took place, corals that were found with in confined water circulation had a catastrophic mortality rate (Brown 1997).

As with all diverse ecosystems, the coral reef must maintain a stable environment. Any changes in the physical ocean components can upset the balance of this ecosystem. Temperature, water depth, salinity, wave action, and turbidity all effect the growth of coral reefs. According to biologist Clive Wilkinson of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, it is humans who have caused the death of 5-10% of the world’s living coral reefs (Wilkinson 1987). One direct cause of coral depletion is overfishing. The overfishing of herbivores, which normally consume algae, can cause an explosion

Since early 1998, climate change has been demonstrating its effects in increasing the ocean 's temperature (West & Salm, 2003). Warm water stress corals causing the phenomenon known as coral bleaching, by which expulsion of colourful symbiotic algae the zooxanthellae, vital for

The relationship between corals and their symbiotic dinoflagellates is the main factor in the evolutionary success of reef-building corals. The endosymbiotic algae are the source of numerous benefits for the corals and are the main contributor to the long-term survival of coral reefs over time (Muller-Parker et al. 2015). This symbiotic relationship occurs because the algae live within the tissues of the coral and, through photosynthesis, provide a reliable source of nutrients to their hosts. These activities provide the coral with a fixed source of carbon compounds for energy, enhance the calcification process, and help maintain healthy nutrient homeostasis. In return, the host coral provides a protective environment for the algae to live within and a reliable supply of carbon dioxide that can be used in its photosynthetic processes. This mutualistic relationship allows the normally slow growing corals to compete with the other faster growing species because of the efficient trading of resources between the symbiotic organisms. It drastically improves productivity as it allows the corals to feed by day through photosynthesis but still rely on predation to feed at night when photosynthetic processes are no longer available (Buchheim, 2013).

Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems that are held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. Reefs are built by colonies of different species that are found in marine water. Reefs are home to a variety of creatures such as fish, urchins, sponges, sharks, turtles, jelly fish, and thousands of other species and plants. Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine eco systems and often called the rainforest of the sea. The total area of the world’s coral reefs amount to less then one quarter of 1% of the entire marine environment. Which is crazy because coral reefs are home to 25% of all marine life on the planet. Coral reefs have survived tens of thousands of years of natural change, but major threats from mankind, pollution, and climate change have caused this under water eco system to have serious threats in the future. Coral reefs are dying around the world. Already human activity and climate change have destroyed a quarter of the world’s coral reefs. The rest of the remaining coral reefs are in great danger. While these beautiful and colorful underwater habitats flourish all around the world, there are many factors that can affect coral reefs and cause devastating outcomes to marine life. Climate change, pollution, over fishing, and disease outbreaks each play a significant role to negative and damaging effects of coral reefs. It is important to be more involved with this environmental issue to help take the right steps to saving the