Coral Reef Essay - 1383 Words

The coral reef is a vital part of our ocean. Coral also is a big part of life for people who live near coastal regions. We need to identify the causes of coral degradation, and find ways to repair and keep the reef healthy. Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on earth and are essential to the plant. Coral reefs only account for less than 1% of the oceans tidal area, but are still home to 25% of all marine creatures like crustaceans, reptiles, seaweeds, bacteria fungi, and over 4,000 species of fish (cite). Although the reef is very important to the natural order of the planet, it is also an economic powerhouse with yearly global value of 375 billion dollars and it feeds over 500 million people around the†¦show more content†¦There are over 500 plus species of marine algae that reside in hawaiis coastal waters, producing a lot of oxygen for hawaii. These algae live on or in coral. Corals are creatures which utilize their rock like structures to host symbiotic algae. Which is how the coral gains its vivid appearance. The algae also so provide crucial oxygen and remove waste from the coral itself. When waters start to warm around coral or is dirty or polluted the reef ejects that must have symbiotic algae. All that is left is a vacant white bleached remnant of what was once vibrant live coral. A healthy reef can contribute to economies by generating revenue through tourism. A healthy coral reef system can be very enjoyable to snorkel and adventure through. Beaches would not be possible without coral reefs. Surf Breaks could also not exist without a healthy reef to make the water shallow enough for waves to break. Even sandbar waves would not be possible without reef because sand is just smaller crushed up reef. All these things bring in revenue through tourism without coral reefs there would be none of that. Reef is very important to the world but is especially important to the hawaiian islands. Without reef in hawaii we would have no fish and more than 25% of fish are endemic to hawaii or even to their individual islands. This means they can not be found anywhere else in the world. Due to our coral reefs hawaii is one of the top touristsShow MoreRelatedCoral Reefs Essay722 Words   |  3 PagesCoral reefs are very diverse ecosystems. They are â€Å"the rainforest of the sea†. Coral reefs can be very big or very small. The Great Barrier Reef (Australia) is 1,600 miles long and 40 miles wide. They are very important for our ocean, they provide food and home for many of the fish in the ocean. For some fish, coral reefs are the only viable food source or shelter they have. Coral reefs are very important. Coral reefs are made by individual coral that join together to form a coral colony. EachRead MoreEssay on Palau Coral Reef1613 Words   |  7 PagesPalau Coral Reef Coral reefs are one of the most complex and colorful tropical ecosystems, rivaling rain forests in their richness of life. Coral reef organisms build massive intricate physical structures that are home to some of the most fascinating plants and animals in the world. Their extraordinary beauty captivates visitors and their productivity provides a wealth of resources for local communities and the world. What is a coral reef? Coral reefs are massiveRead More Coral Reefs Essay1309 Words   |  6 PagesCoral Reefs Coral reefs are arguably the world’s most beautiful habitats. Coral reefs have been called the rainforests of the oceans, because of the rich diversity of life they support. Scientists have not yet finished counting the thousands of different species of plants and animals that use or live in the coral reef. There are three types of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs are located close to shore, separated from land by only shallow water. Barrier reefsRead More The Coral Reefs Essay1559 Words   |  7 PagesThe Coral Reefs Can we save â€Å"Tropical Rain Forests of the Ocean†? Anyone who’s ever scuba dived at a coral reef and seen the perfect handprint of dead coral can appreciate how fragile and delicate this ecosystem is. Coral reefs are not just rock, like some people believe, but are an animal. 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 microscopicRead More coral reef Essay2541 Words   |  11 Pages CORAL REEFS Almost every one of us have heard and most of you have seen the Coral reefs but did you know what actually these are: As a mariner its important to know about the marine life, that was one reason I have chosen this topic for my today’s short presentation. GM, my scheme of presentation will be as flashed: DEFINATION OF CORAL REEF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORAL AND CORAL POLYP WHERE WE CAN FIND CORAL CONSTRUCTION OF CORAL REEFS CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH OF CORAL REEFS TYPES OF CORAL REEFSRead MoreEssay about Coral Reefs1212 Words   |  5 PagesCoral reefs have been undergoing global degradation due to increasing natural and anthropogenic impacts for at least the last half-century. The intensity and frequency of stressors, including global climate change, have rapidly increased in number over recent years (Hughes Connell 1999; Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2007; Pandolfi et al. 2011). Frequent disturbances such as hurricanes/cyclones, predation outbreaks, diseases and mass bleaching events eat-away at the percent of living coral cover and withoutRead More Coral Reefs Essay examples3747 Words   |  15 PagesCoral Reefs   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Coral reefs are one of the oldest types of living systems on earth, and certainly one of the most spectacular (Goreau, 1987). They are massive underwater structures formed by the limestone skeletons of tiny invertebrate animals. Reefs house a greater diversity of body forms, chemistry, and animal phyla (thirty-two compared to the eight that inhabit the most biodiversity ecosystems on land). Phyla comprise the second largest category of living things, after kingdoms.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CoralRead MoreEssay on â€Å"The Sad Fate of Coral Reefs†1077 Words   |  5 Pageslies with the â€Å"Rainforests of the Sea†, the coral reefs. Coral reefs are the most diverse and biologically richest of all marine ecosystems. As with almost every ecosystem and its members, coral reefs provide several ecosystem services. For instance, coral reefs serve as natural barriers against hurricanes and catastrophic storm surges, their chemicals may treat diseases, and they are a nitrogen fixation. On of the most important functions of coral reefs are that they are a major source of food forRead MoreEssay about Coral Reefs: At Risk1830 Words   |  8 PagesCoral reefs are diverse ecosystems that emanate great beauty while providing a home to many marine inhabitants. Coral reefs, being a marine ecosystem, are extremely important for the overall health of the surrounding environment. They provide food and shelter to a large bio-diverse population. Coral reefs are among the world’s oldest, most diverse, and most productive ecosystems (Miller and Hackett 129). Coral reefs are found in shallow coastal regions of warm tropical and subtropical oceans. CoralRead More Coral Reefs And Bleaching Phenomenon Essay1452 Words   |  6 Pageswill 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. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;As mentioned earlier, coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive of all communities on Earth