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    What Are Coral Reefs?

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    victoria kairoo
    Coral reefs are formed over millions of years by tiny marine animals called polyps that secrete calcium carbonate to form structures like shells and reefs. Coral reefs require warm, clear, shallow ocean water with the right temperature, salinity, oxygen, and sunlight conditions to thrive. There are three main types of coral reefs: fringing reefs near shore, barrier reefs separated from land by lagoons, and ring-shaped atoll reefs enclosing central lagoons. Coral reefs are threatened by human activities like pollution, global warming, destructive fishing practices, unregulated tourism, and coral mining, as well as natural threats like hurricanes and coral predators. Conservation efforts aim to protect

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    What Are Coral Reefs?

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    victoria kairoo
    47 views3 pages
    Coral reefs are formed over millions of years by tiny marine animals called polyps that secrete calcium carbonate to form structures like shells and reefs. Coral reefs require warm, clear, shallow ocean water with the right temperature, salinity, oxygen, and sunlight conditions to thrive. There are three main types of coral reefs: fringing reefs near shore, barrier reefs separated from land by lagoons, and ring-shaped atoll reefs enclosing central lagoons. Coral reefs are threatened by human activities like pollution, global warming, destructive fishing practices, unregulated tourism, and coral mining, as well as natural threats like hurricanes and coral predators. Conservation efforts aim to protect

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    Intro to Reefs

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    Coral reefs are formed over millions of years by tiny marine animals called polyps that secrete calcium carbonate to form structures like shells and reefs. Coral reefs require warm, clear, shallow ocean water with the right temperature, salinity, oxygen, and sunlight conditions to thrive. There are three main types of coral reefs: fringing reefs near shore, barrier reefs separated from land by lagoons, and ring-shaped atoll reefs enclosing central lagoons. Coral reefs are threatened by human activities like pollution, global warming, destructive fishing practices, unregulated tourism, and coral mining, as well as natural threats like hurricanes and coral predators. Conservation efforts aim to protect

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    47 views3 pages

    What Are Coral Reefs?

    Uploaded by

    victoria kairoo
    Coral reefs are formed over millions of years by tiny marine animals called polyps that secrete calcium carbonate to form structures like shells and reefs. Coral reefs require warm, clear, shallow ocean water with the right temperature, salinity, oxygen, and sunlight conditions to thrive. There are three main types of coral reefs: fringing reefs near shore, barrier reefs separated from land by lagoons, and ring-shaped atoll reefs enclosing central lagoons. Coral reefs are threatened by human activities like pollution, global warming, destructive fishing practices, unregulated tourism, and coral mining, as well as natural threats like hurricanes and coral predators. Conservation efforts aim to protect

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    CORAL REEFS

    What are coral reefs?

    An offshore ridge mainly of calcium carbonate formed form the secretion of small marine animals. It is a
    community of marine animals in an ecologically balanced environment.

    How are coral reefs formed?

    Coral reefs are made from the accumulation of millions of tiny organisms called polyps. These tiny
    animals, which are smaller to sea anemones, secrete calcium carbonate creating a protective shell made
    of limestone in which they live. They can be delicately branched into various shapes and colours. Large
    numbers of them live together in colonies. When the polyps die, their shells are left behind for other
    polyps to build on. The shells from these and other marine animals build up over millions of years to
    form coral reefs.

    Conditions needed for coral reef formation.

    Warm sea water between 25 and 27 degrees. Cold water slows the growth but if the water is
    too warm they can be bleached.
    Sunlight which is necessary for photosynthesis. It allows the microscopic plants that coral polyps
    feed on to make their food. These microscopic plants live in the tissue of the polyps where they
    get nutrients and protection. In exchange the corals have a ready food supply. (They share a
    symbiotic relationship).
    The water must be clean, clear and well oxygenated. Clear water allows sunlight to penetrate.
    Sediments prevent sunlight form penetrating sea water and also choke the corals.
    Depth of 20-40m. Corals grow best at this depth which allows for sunlight penetration which
    becomes difficult below 100m. The depth of water also affects temperature which decreases
    with depth.
    Normal sea water salinity, together with gentle wave movement.

    TYPES OF CORAL REEFS

    1. FRINGING REEFS: The most common type of reef found in the Caribbean. The reef lies very close to
    the shore and the water between the reef and the shore is very shallow. Jamaica has an almost
    continuous fringing reef along its northern, western and eastern coastlines.

    Diagram in text book

    2. BARRIER REEFS: Found further away from the shoreline and is separated from the land by a deep
    lagoon. The floor is flat. The reefs have been built on submerged platforms forming a ring around the
    island eg. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

    Diagram in text book


    3. ATOLL REEF: They are circular, ring-like or horse shoe in shape, comprising several islands and
    enclosing a lagoon. They are widespread in the Bahamas.

    Diagram in text book

    HUMAN IMPACT ON CORAL REEFS

    1. Pollution: is the unclean state of the environment resulting in physical, chemical and biological
    changes that can seriously affect ecological systems. Coral reefs are affected by land and water
    pollution. When sediments from the land run-off into the sea when it rains, it prevents sunlight
    penetration. Raw sewage, pesticides and fertilisation causes several diseases in corals such as white
    band, black band and white pox.

    2. Global warming: An increase in the earths average temperatures caused by the enhanced
    greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases trap heat into the atmosphere that causes this increase in
    temperature. The effects of this warming are the bleaching of corals in which they lose their natural
    colour. Death of the zooxanthellae causes a loss in colour.

    3. Fishing industry: Some current fishing practices are destructive to sea beds. Cyanide fishing (poison
    which is added to stun the fishes can also kill polyps) dynamite and trawling where large nets are
    dragged on the sea beds can be highly destructive. Overfishing of fish species can upset the ecological
    balance of the coral reef ecosystems.

    4. Tourism: Resorts that empty their sewage directly in the water surrounding coral reefs contribute to
    degradation. Carless boating, diving and fishing can also damage reefs. When people kick, grab, walk or
    stir up sediments that cloud the water. Glass bottom boats and dropped anchors break off pieces of the
    reef. Activities like scuba diving and snorkelling also contribute to destruction. Tourists also break off
    and collect pieces as souvenirs.

    5. Coral mining: Mining also leads to destruction. Coral is mined to be used for bricks or road fills, sand
    and limestone from coral reefs are made into cement for buildings, coral and coral products have
    medicinal value and are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Extracts form corals are also used in
    jewellery making.

    NATURAL IMPACTS ON REEFS

    6. Hurricanes/storms: Hurricanes threaten the structure of coral reef system as a result of powerful
    wave activity that break off and damage them. More delicate species like Acropora is more prone to
    damage.

    7. Natural Predators: Like the lion fish and the crown of thorns star fish feed off the zooxanthellae.
    HOW CAN WE PROTECT CORAL REEFS?

    1. TOURSIM: Tourists should be educated how to protect and conserve reefs. They should avoid
    purchasing corals and coral products. Laws should be passed on activities like breaking off and trampling
    corals. Awareness and policies geared towards reef protection should be highlighted, fines and penalties
    highlighted accordingly. Ecotourism and sustainable tourism should be promoted.

    2. Proper agricultural practices: methods that reduce the use of fertilisers and pesticides. These include
    the use of organic fertilisers and natural forms of pest control like crop rotation. Measures that reduce
    soil erosion and consequently sediments into the water ways should be adopted. These soil
    conservation techniques include contour ploughing and mixed cropping.

    3. Protected Areas: The Buccoo Reef has been designated a protected area. Marine parks are also
    developed that help in managing activities in coastal zones eg. Montego Bay Marine Park in Jamaica.
    Reforestation practices also implemented to reduce soil erosion.

    4. Fishing: Laws should be passed preventing fishing near coral reefs. Having a fishing season or a closed
    season may help prevent depletion of fish stocks. Laws on gears permitted, types of nets, fishing
    practices and a quota system can be implemented. Constant coast guard patrol is also needed.

    5. Pollution: Laws can be implemented against pollution. Industries must operate within certain
    restrictions. Hotels located on coastal areas must be held accountable for their disposal of waste.
    Sewage must be stored and treated. Recycling can reduce the amount of waste that end up in the sea.
    Educating the public on the impact that pollutants have on reefs can help reduce some impacts.

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