The Rainforests of the Sea Coral reefs are one of the most diverse habitats in the world today and it this diversity that makes them so important to the overall health of the oceans and thus the overall health of the oceans as a whole. Coral reefs take up only a very small percentage of the entire surface of the ocean's surface. However, despite this, they provide a home to about one-quarter of all of the species that live in the oceans. (Mulhall, 2007, p. 321). Among the other life forms that live in the world's coral reefs are fish, worms, echinoderms (such as sea urchins), sponges, and the evolutionary ancient classes of tunicates and cnidarians. One of the most striking aspects of the diversity of coral reefs is that they can exist (and support this florescence of life) in places where few other animals can flourish: Cold and deep waters (Smithers & Woodroffe, 2000, p. 4). However, most corals live in tropical waters; it is on these types of corals that this paper focuses, looking in particular at the reef fishes that make their homes in the world's coral reefs. A very wide range of fish lives in coral reefs. These fish include both those who live entirely within the reefs and those that move in and out of the reef's periphery. Both types of fish eat smaller animals that also live in the reef or small plants that habitat the reef including seaweed and algae. The fish that live in coral reefs are often very brightly colored, a fact that allows that allows them to blend
There are many different types of reefs but the most common type of reef is the Fringing Reef. There are also many different types of species that live in this reef. There are tons of different species of fish that live in large groups and come in all different colors. Although, the two main groups of fish that live in this reef are vertebrates and invertebrates. Among the different types of vertebrates living in this reef includes Fish, Sea Snakes, Sea Turtles, Dugongs, and Manatees. These are the only fish that usually swim in large groups. Among the coral reef the invertebrates, which is the most common group of different types of living in this reef, are the constructors and
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
One of the most diverse and biologically rich marine ecosystems is the coral reef. Almost every ecosystem has a greater purpose, coral reef are no exception. For instance they serve as barriers for hurricanes, and other catastrophic storms, their chemicals treat diseases, and one of the most important function is they are a major source of food for humans. But that is just the benefits for humans, they provide shelter and food for numerous organisms, such as fish, turtles, dolphins, and several other marine life.
The plants that live in the coral reefs are turtle grass, algae, zooxanthellae, and mangroves. The turtle grasses adaptation in it is relessent to storms. Algae has an adaptation of being attached to the sea bottom. Zooxanthellae is known for making its own light.mangroves are good at their reproduction. These are some of the plants that live in the coral reef biome.
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
Covering over 348,000 square kilometres, the reef is home to the most comprehensive coral ecosystem on the planet and is so large it can actually be observed from space (Australian government). Whilst predominantly being known for its large colourful reefs, is provides a home to a diverse array of marine creatures including 1625 different species of fish, around 600 types
The key environmental points are that coral reefs provide important ecosystem goods and services for the maritime tropical and subtropical nations. Within the past two centuries, the main drivers of massive acceleration in the decrease of coral reef species that have caused widespread changes in reef ecosystems has been due to the direct and indirect effects of overfishing and pollution during agriculture and land development. Since markets for fish have gone global, along with other natural resources, reduced stocks of herbivorous fish and the nutrients from land-based activities have caused corals to be replaced with fleshy seaweed.
In the coral reef alone there are over 400 different species of soft and hard corals in this area. As well as, 2500 individual reefs differing in sizes and shapes throughout the reaf. Not only are there a magnitude of corals this reef also holds an astonishing amounts of marine life. Such as, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 300 varieties of molluscs, 500 species of worms, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins. There are even species of turtles and crocodiles from prehistoric times that have changed very little over the past
Scenario: You are marine biologist presenting a seminar titled ‘coral reefs under threat’, which discusses human impact on reef systems. A sceptical member of the audience questions whether there is sufficient evidence to support your claims, and goes on to state that maybe the issues regarding coral reefs have simply been exaggerated by the media, environmentalists and scientists.
Next time you visit a Caribbean beach, take a look at the large rocks submerged under the sand. From afar, they appear identical to boulders on land; up close, however, a great deal of fissures and grooves can be seen, distinguishing it from land-based rocks. What then, could’ve formed these reef rocks if they are so different looking? Chances are, they were formed by coral, most likely of the genus Acropora. The two species of Acropora corals that reside in Caribbean reefs are Acropora Palmata (elkhorn coral) and Acropora Cervicornis (staghorn coral).. Both corals are extremely important residents of the Caribbean reef, performing many functions such as reef-building. Their highly-structured biology permits them to do so, and the ecology between
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
There are patch reefs up and down from the Keys through Palm Beach County, where I live. But North America’s only living corral barrier reef lies six miles seaward of the Florida Keys (Reef Relief). These coral reefs are composed of outer reefs and patch reefs, and contain over fifty species of corals (making up eighty percent of all the coral reef species in the Tropical Western Atlantic) and more than one hundred species of fish. These reef systems are important to Floridians first and foremost because of tourism. People travel from all over the world to come to Florida and snorkel, scuba dive, and boat over the beautiful reef systems. In addition to this, Florida’s commercial fishing for lobster, stone crab, and many other fish depends on
What is a coral reef? How are they created? Well a coral reef is a ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of coral. Corals are tiny animals which belong to the group of other cnidarians include hydras, jellyfish, and sea anemones. Corals are sessile animals, meaning they are not mobile but stay fixed in one place. They feed by reaching out with tentacles to catch prey such as small fish and planktonic animals. Corals live in colonies consisting of many individuals. They secrete a hard calcium carbonate skeleton, which serves as a uniform base or substrate for the colony. The skeleton also provides protection, as the polyps can contract into the structure if predators approach. It is these hard skeletal structures that build
The Coral Systems’ pricing model is the combination of the recurring revenue model and the per product licensing fee. This hybrid model allows company to start each quarter from the ending point of previous subscriber base. Coral sell a one-time license per subscriber according to the current number of subscribers at the time of license. For each addition subscribers, carrier is charged an addition license fee. The recurring revenue stream is created as the customer base grows. The hybrid model can build value for the company and solve potential problem of customers who wanted to buy the application and control.
Coral reefs are continuously being both built up and decomposed, so different parts of a reef are in varying stages of succession (Richmond, 1993). Coral reefs are very fragile, because reef-building organisms cannot thrive if the surrounding water changes significantly. Coral reefs require very specific conditions in order to grow: a solid structure for the base; warm and consistent water temperatures (averaging between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius); stable salinity; moderate wave action; and clear water that is low in nutrients and plankton. The water on a healthy coral reef is clear because there are very few nutrients, so plankton that would cloud the water are few. In general corals grow slowly, but they are extremely efficient at living and reproducing in these conditions (American Zoologist, pg 524-536).