Oceans are peaceful, majestic, and filled with amazing and vibrant color. A lot of the prostown beauty in oceans can be credited to coral reefs. Lately though, natural coral reefs have been dying for various reasons, and some people believe that artificial reefs can help not only the natural reefs, but other surrounding ecosystems in their environment. Various articles use rhetorical techniques in hopes of enhancing their articles about whether or not artificial reefs are helping or harming the oceans. The first article, “Concern Lingers on Success of Artificial Reefs”, was written by Charles Q. Choi, and for Live Science, looks at both the pro and con side of artificial reefs.
These animals are called polyps, and can live on their own, though tend to group up to form coral. Different groups of corals can eat different thing, depending on their size. A coral that is bigger would probably eat small fish, while a coral that is smaller might eat
These banks contain coral rubble, seagrass and macroalgae with other invertebrate taxa, which play a key part in the ecosystem. The bank systems contain essential fish habitats, which provide sheltering and foraging grounds. Past studies have indicated these fish assemblages showed a high diversity and biomass of coral reefs. Most of the biomass in the Florida Keys ecosystem is made up of species that stay in channels for most of the day. These signs show that the bank systems are important for the FKNMS for providing a structural support and high productivity for the biodiversity.
With the younger generation in mind, the documentary encourages them to envision and work towards a future since it is their time to take over, and the upcoming generations will follow soon. Not only that, but for marine biologists, "Chasing Coral" offers a reminder of the urgent need for scientific intervention and conservation efforts, especially since, towards the end, they included clips of various marine biologists showing their findings across the world. Additionally, Orlowski effectively bridges the gap between scientific research and public understanding and inspires individuals from all walks of life to join the fight against coral reef degradation. The documentary "Chasing Coral" begins with a detailed exploration of coral reefs, utilizing logos to present these vibrant underwater ecosystems as the ocean's beauty, the crucial components of marine biodiversity, and indicators of environmental health. A coral comprises thousands of polyps that contain a circular mouth with tentacles and tissues and microalgae that photosynthesize during the day and use it as their
The taxon I identified, as predators were the horn coral, any other coral from the Cnidarians, and the cephalopods. I calculated the amount of predators in each level by dividing the number of taxon in that invertebrate by the overall number of taxon within that level. The results were: bottom level 0.2, middle level 0.6, and top level 4.8. These results show almost a 7-fold increase between middle level and the upper level. This much of an increase proves my predictions right.
Reef species attract many other grazers, browsers and predators. Attached and infaunal sessile plants and animals complete the ecosystem (Hargis et al.
Introduction In order for a coral reef to be productive and healthy, the water quality in the ocean should be maintained. Water quality not only affects coral reefs, but the other organisms that live on it and are involved with the natural food chain. Some of the factors that can influence water quality are nutrients, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, light, and chlorophyll present. Water is essential to every living organism because it helps with respiration, maintaining body temperature, digestion and provides energy.
Mutualistic relationships in the coral reefs are important because they are the basis for a lot of the sea creatures’ entire lives. A lot of these symbiotic relationships are long-standing and have become extremely efficient. The question is how are these relationships formed and what allows these associations to take place in coral reefs? Certain animals have even evolved to make them better suited for certain relationships.
In Caribbean, 36 percent coral reefs are located within 2 km of the inhabited land thus this area of coral reefs ecology have highly susceptible to pressures arising from coastal populations. The extensive construction and development for roads, housing, ports and other development has been required to support both of the residential and tourist populations. The coastal development was poorly managed therefore put stress on coral reefs through direct damage from dredging, land reclamation and sand and limestone mining for construction as well as through less direct pressures such as runoff from construction sites and removal of coastal habitat. Besides that, the loss of mangrove and sea grass which filter sediment and nutrients coming from the land has been widespread in the Caribbean which lead to add the pressure towards coral reef ecology. Next, the increased sediment in the coastal waters reduces the amount of light reaching the coral and hinders the ability of their symbiotic algae which is zooxanthellae for photosynthesis.
The coral was so weak and brittle, with only a little movement of water it withered away into a fine dust of calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. The acidic water wiped out of all the coral to almost extinction. Bothered by what I saw on this trip I headed up to the boat to report my findings to the unesco. The boat ride returning to the mainland I was shocked to find out how much oxygen I used up in my tank, the coral seemed so much farther down than I expected, the sea level insinuate so much higher. Perturbed by this I knew it was all an effect from climate change and we were all to late to correct the damage
This happens when they become overly stressed especially when exposed to warmer than normal temperature and excessive sunlight” (“Coral Bleaching- Essential Facts”). Although the coloring of the coral may not seem too important, it is. The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than “1,500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, one- third of the world’s soft coral, 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world’s seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals” (“Australia’s Great Barrier Reef under Threat”). The coloring of the fish species correlates with the coloring of the corals in terms of survival for the species. Gradually, certain species of the marine life that live in the Great Barrier Reef have adapted to the colors of the reefs to camouflage themselves which ultimately helps them survive and decrease the threat of predators.
Are artificial coral reefs beneficial for the marine environment? Overtime societies all over the world have used artificial coral reefs to embetter the marine environment by using large objects usually made for a different purpose that resemble certain natural reef characteristics. These artificial reefs are man-made underwater structures that are at times done on purpose and most commonly done by accident.1 There are many different kinds of artificial coral reefs, for example, wrecks, such as shipwrecks, sunken cars, bicycles, or oil rigs. Some of these structures are sunk on purpose, others were accidentally left alone underwater forming overtime its own artificial coral reefs forming an artificial habitat for fish and other organisms.
Therefore, the impact of overfishing and illegal collecting of coral may destroyed the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life. Beside, it is also direct overexploitation of fish, intertebrates, and algae for food and the aquarium trade, removal of a species or group of species impacting multiple trophic levels, bycatch and mortality of nontarget species, and change from coral to algal dominance due to reduction in herbivores (Reef Resilience Organisation,
In this research paper we will explore more about coral reefs and their importance. Coral reefs are communities of living organisms. They are made up of fishes, plants, and many other creatures. They have been around for millions of years: less than the 0.1% of the world’s ocean floor Is covered by coral reefs, however they grow very slowly, from 0.3 cm to 10 cm per year.
Coastal development: The growth of coastal cities and towns generates a range of threats to nearby coral reefs. Degradation of coral reefs — can result in lost tourism income in countries that are dependent on reef-based tourism and also can reduce fish populations Coral Reef Degradation is caused by natural and man-made events. ... Water pollution comes in a variety of different sources, oil, gas, and pesticide, They poison coral and marine life. Coastal construction — can cause chronic sedimentation, sewage effluent, industrial discharge, and changes in water flow and run off, which can directly affects the coral increasing rated and metabolic activities as well as it directly kills all of the corals Removal of reefs — can result
