The Degradation of Coral Reefs There are numerous reports on coral reef degradation including the article I found called “Study finds Caribbean Corals in Dire Trouble”. Coral reefs, not only in the Caribbean, but world wide have been damaged losing their ecological resilience. Having seen Coral reefs while snorkeling in Hawaii, coral reefs are arguably the world’s most beautiful habitats. Coral reefs have been called the rainforest of the oceans because of their rich diversity of life they support. There are thousands of different species of plants and animals that use or live in the coral reefs.
Seaweeds are one of the largest producers of important marine living renewable resources being one of the major components of primary biomass production in coastal maritime ecosystems. According classification systems, they are classified into green algae (Phylum Chlorophyta), red algae (Phylum Rhodophyta) and brown algae (Phylum Ochrophyta or Heterokontophyta) depending essentially on their particular pigment composition and/ or chemical composition. These marine organisms play essential ecological functions in marine environment as habitat and substrata for invertebrates, fish, mammals, and birds and drastic reduction of their communities directly influences marine biodiversity, as well as reproduction, recruitment, and growth rates of marine
Below the vast swelling body of water lays another world filled with many species of sea animals from the dawn of creation and more that are still left to be discovered. However, this fascinating place is also contaminated with horrifying inventions against nature which must be sought to be protected and conserved. There is a tremendous amount of trash produced each day that can end up in the ocean and further pollute it. A specific focus is placed on the many particles of plastic debris that end up maneuvering through the water. Shockingly, there will result in more plastic in the ocean than fish by the year 2050.
But unlike sea anemones, coral polyps secrete hard carbonate exoskeletons which support and protect their bodies. Reefs grow best in warm, shallow, clear, sunny and agitated waters. Coral Reefs are the "Rainforests" of the ocean. Reefs are ecologically important ecosystems and have a high biodiversity that serves as a storage bank of rich genetic resources. They are a source of food and medicine, and they protect the coast from wave erosion.
Heather Carlson Life in the Oceans Assignment #2 April 2nd, 2011 Assignment #2 - Porphyra According to Websters dictionary, aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish. Today I will concentrate on the commercial farming of marine algae, specifially the species of Tyrian purple algae, or Porphyra. Porphyra, commonly know as nori, is the most widely consumed seaweed in the world. Porphyra is a foliose red algal genus of laver, comprising approximately 70 species.
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.
Unique, unlike any other, the Galapagos Islands prove to be remarkable and worthwhile of exploring in great detail. The Galapagos Islands are not only beautiful, but also consists of some very important features, not found in a similar way in other parts of the world. It seems that all that inhabits the islands affect one another, both alive and inanimate. According to the film, a large part of the reason for why there is such huge diversity on the islands is due to the fact that the Galapagos Islands are located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This location is what contributes to the mystifying marine life, as well as the to the different animals living on land.
Other animals include sponges, worms, sharks, snails, octopus, and more. All the marine life works together in symbiosis, helping and protecting each other. These animals obtain food and oxygen with the help of plants in the biome through photosynthesis. Some of the plants include zooxanthellae, algae, seagrasses, and phytoplankton. Another important factor to keeping the marine life alive are the warm currents and shallow waters.
Reefs have been called the “rainforests of the sea,” because they provide homes to numerous marine animals (Trinh, 2012). Coral reefs can be found in shallow oceans where sunlight can be shown onto the reefs. There are a variety of reefs in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and animals. They feed on small fish and planktonie animals by using their long tentacles to reach their prey. Reefs are classified into a group called cnidaria.
• INTRO: Within the world’s oceans, the greatest variety of life is found on amazing living structures called coral reefs. These fragile reefs play a critical role in sustaining a thriving ocean habitat, especially in tropical oceans. They also provide many benefits to humans as well. Yet, coral reefs are built by tiny animals, each smaller than a pencil eraser. Coral reefs are spectacular to behold, lush gardens in the sea, supporting a staggering diversity of marine life in a densely packed, thriving marine metropolis.