Atolls, on the other hand, are formed far offshore and they make a ring-shaped reef that close a circular lagoon. Coral reefs are the largest biological structures on the planet. The largest structure is the Great Barrier Reef covering over 2,000 kilometers along the east coast of Australia. The reef is said to be 500,000 to 2,500,000 years old. Besides global warming there is another problem with this beautiful structure and that is the result of several local natural and human factors such as over fishing.
However, they are much less abundant than they were a few decades ago. (Eoearth, 2008). This depletion is as a result of Coral reefs’ sensitivity to thermal stress as their ability to adapt is low (Bernstein et al. 2007). Therefore climate change and high carbon emissions have negatively affected
There are about 600,000 km of coral reef worldwide (State of the Reefs). Most reefs today are about 8,000 years old, and there are records of some being as much as 2.5 million years old (Dimitrov). The ecosystems of coral reefs have the “largest (amount) biodiversity per unit of area on earth” (Dimitrov). Scientists have discovered 93,000 coral reef species; however some estimate that there could be from 950,000 to as much as 9 million different species of coral reef (Dimitrov). Coral reefs are the second largest ecosystem next to tropical rainforests on Earth.
They are coral mining, climate, diseases, tourism, blast fishing, farm runoff, sewage, oil and industrial pollution. Vacationers feel privileged to be able to deep sea dive and get a firsthand look at the incredible biodiversity that the reefs provide. They are unaware of the fact that just by touching the fragile coral, as shown in the photograph; they are damaging its delicate tissue. The coral reefs provide homes for many varieties of plant and animals. Many different kinds of fish live in the reefs as their haven for feeding, reproduction, and safety from predators.
ABSTRACT Coral reefs ecosystems have drastically changed over the past 40 years. The main reasons for the decline of coral reefs is due to weather and temperature changes, too much pollution, boats, and overfishing. As a result, coral reefs are considered an endangered species. Over 50% of the people in the Florida Keys rely on the coral reefs in one way or another. Many don’t realize that they provide humans with a source of income and more importantly, life for a wide diversity of marine animals.
Introduction The Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s icons located off the coast of Australia and is the largest coral reef in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is called the Wonder Down Under as Australia is so far south of the equator. Uluru, a huge rock formation is also one of the Seven Wonders on the list located in Australia The Great Barrier Reef stretches about 2012 kilometres along Australia’s Northeast Coast and is the largest structure in the world built on living organisms. There are more than 10,000 different species of animals living in the Great Barrier Reef and some even never named by scientists.
• LOCATION: Coral reefs tend to grow where there is a lot of water movement, bringing nutrients, oxygen and new species. Most reef-building corals cannot grow in waters shallow enough to expose them at high tide or deeper than 50 meters, making them highly sensitive to changing sea levels. Most of the coral reefs are situated off the eastern coast of Africa, off the southern coast of India, in the Red Sea, off the coasts of northeast and northwest Australia and on to Polynesia. Additionally, there are also coral reefs off the coast of Florida, USA, to the Caribbean, and down to Brazil. • HOW THEY ARE FORMED: A coral polyp is an invertebrate animal.
Latest technological advances have increased the threat to the marine animal, especially for turtles. It's believed that many species of turtle already got extinct and seven species of turtle are in the verge of extinction. Olive Ridley is one among the seven breeds that are in the verge of extinction. Features of Olive Ridley Olive Ridley turtles have been around a very long time, more than 100,000,000 years. Olive Ridley sea turtles, Lepidochelys olivacea are small, hard-shelled marine turtles, one of the two species of the genus Lepidochelys, and a member of the Family Cheloniidae.
The production of these toxic-filled substances continues to lead the human race on a path of natural destruction; with thousands of animal sea-life dying annually from plastic consumption. It's time we wake up to the fact that our oceans are in need of critical help. How did the plastic get into our oceans to begin with? The oceans are enormous but they are not infinite. Today, as in the past, oceans are being treated as giant disposal areas for all types of refuse (plastics, tins, bottles etc.)
Coral reefs are home to more than a quarter of all marine life and provide the foundation that many ecosystems need to survive. These reefs are known to be extremely fragile and slow-growing. But due to a number of threats, the world's coral is being harmed and destroyed at an alarming rate. When a reef is found unable to maintain an ecological balance, the effect fishing has on the reef can be detrimental. Humans have been known for destroying coral reefs through unlawful fishing habits.