Coral Reefs, Our Disappearing Beauty

precious red coral jump downs argon ane of natures riches ecosystems with a various existence of conduct which is ultimately kinda complex. They are a colorful ecosystem that plays an all-important(a) role in the maritimeic world and the human world as well. They are home to illimitable plants and animals, a source of food, medicines and unitary of the unique wonders of our world. While they might do work the image of life near a tropical paradise, on that point is some(prenominal) more to the precious coral let down than its beauty. These beauties are home to a various(a) population that benefits humans, separately type in its own way.But lead we be able to save these natural wonders? Corals belong to the same stem of animals as jellyfish and sea anemones. While they gatherm to move in the current of the ocean, they actually do non move and stay in one place. Coral use their tentacles to feed and exist in colonies. They kick upstairs every slowly unless t hey washstand bed anywhere from a few decades to even centuries. They take over a hard calcium change skeleton which provides them with aegis. The calcium carbonate is continually deposited which added to its size, however, their growth varies guessing on the conditions deep down the environment.The growth of the coral reef is long and slow and it takes several days for it grow only a few inches. This growth canful be even slower when you consider the destructive activities of animals, storms and humans. As the coral grows they bod colonies which become the basic buildation of the reef. Coral reefs need particular conditions in order to win. They generally grow near the shoreline which is a degree of protection for the shore. Coral reefs only grow to depths approximately 45 meters because they need sun in order to survive.The amount of oxygen available is likewise important because coral behave symbiotic relationship with some types of algae. The algae live in the cor al and perform photosynthesis which makes food for the algae and the coral alike. The coral gives the algae protection and sunlight. For this reason coral reefs are built in shallow, clear water where lights can reach them. The amount of sedimentation corpse be low because sediments can block the sunlight they need. on that point are three main kinds of coral reefs. Each of these is thought to be a stage in the pay backment of the coral reef. (Birkeland, 1997).These include the fringing reefs, bulwark reefs and atolls. approximately scientists include a fourth type, the patch reef, as well. The most communal type of ref is the fringing reef. Found very near to land they can often form a shallow area in the lagoon. When reefs are formed it is the fringing reef that is formed first. An other(a) type of reef is the barrier reef. It can resemble the fringing reef entirely they do not form so close to shore and are usually much large than the fringing reef. The fringing reef grows out and the distance from land becomes gr giveer causing the fringing reef to become a barrier reef.The atoll is circumstanced like a shoe or can be a circle. It surround the lagoon although there is no land associated with the atoll. This is because when the land subsides, only the reef remains and it has the shape of the land it surrounded. Finally, there is the patch reef which usually are found within the lagoon and ore the outcrops of coral. An abundance of both plant and animal life are an integral part of coral reefs. Scientists continue to discover revolutionary species and learn a great deal from coral reefs. First, the coral itself is lifespan with the skeleton of calcium carbonate surrounding them for protection.The first animal that comes to thinker when discussing coral reefs is the fish. Fish of every color swim in the reef, determination food, using it for protection, making it their home. Fish camouflage themselves within the reef to bullock clear of larger f ish and sharks. Sharks often scour the coral look for a stray fish. Sea snakes also make the coral reef their home. There are also invertebrates like starfish who travel by dint of the many species of seagrass and algae within the reef. There are many species of sea turtles that make coral reefs their home as well.These are only a few of the massive variety of creatures that live in the coral reefs. There are urchins, sponges, crabs, eels and literally thousands of others. It is the richest place of biodiversity. In fact, Guam hosts over 3. 500 species of plants and animals, including two hundred different types of corals. (Teach naval Science, ret. June 14, 2013). In profit to theses kinds of plants and animals, there are also microorganisms that call the coral reef home. Coral reefs dont only benefit animals and plants, but they also benefit humans. They are one of the oldest ecosystems on our planet and one of the most beautiful.One way they benefit humans is due to their b eauty. Areas with coral reefs bring tourism. This tourism supports local communities, creating jobs for local inhabitants. Visitors come to dive, snorkel, fish and wassail the coral. These jobs overhaul support the infrastructure of the community and build a arduous economy. The economic value of many of the reefs individually are in surplus of hundreds of millions of dollars, some over $1 billion each year. more(prenominal) importantly, there are many plants and animals that help us in the creation of new medicines and perfecting ones we already have.Medicines that have been actual or are being developed from the coral reefs include treatments for heart disease, cancer, arthritis, viruses just to name a few. More obvious than the previously mentioned benefits, coral reefs provide an abundance of fish and other sea life that helps populate the oceans for fishing. This also benefits humans. Fisheries are important for amusement as well as a trade to provide food. Also, as the name implies, coral reefs are a natural buffer betwixt the ocean and the land. This helps prevent property price, soil erosion, and protects people from storms.Nearby communities depend on the coral reefs for their well-being. Even though humans depend on the coral reef in so many ways, we are regrettably slowly losing them. These natural beauties are disappearing at a accelerated and faster rate. The biggest threat is humans themselves. Healthy coral reefs need dandy water but people are polluting these waters causing world-shaking harm to the reefs. Fertilizers, soil, pesticides and even sewage is put into the water. These things make the water unwholesome for corals, smother the reef and make it more likely the will get diseases.Pollution is a major threat. Humans also often have destructive fishing practices. They use explosives to fish or bang on the reef with large sticks as well as bottom-trawling. In addition to these destructive practices, humans have been overfishi ng which upsets the natural balance of the ecosystem of the reef. The food range is then so out of balance that the effects are not only the direct fish population but the entire ocean and beyond. Humans are not the only threats to coral reefs. Natural disasters can also harm the reefs.Hurricanes and other storms can cause damage as well. Global warming is also a threat. Corals will only survive in a certain water temperature and global warming has caused damage by elevating the levels of coral bleaching. When the reef is already unhealthy it is difficult for it to amend such a disaster. One way our own government has started to help protect the coral reef is by developing the U. S. Coral take down Task Force. On June 11, 1998, President Clinton issued Executive Order 13089 on Coral Reef Protection. (EPA, Ret. June 10, 2013).This task force was charge with the duties of mapping and monitoring the US coral reefs, conducting research to identify major causes and consequences of th e decline of the reefs and with developing ways to restore the damaged reefs and prevent further damage. Governments have set up Preservation Zones to focus on the cost of human impact to the coral reefs and how to maintain the reefs. Each of us can help protect the coral reef. Be sure to clean up after yourself when you go to the beach. It sounds simple, and it is but many people dont follow this advice. If you go to the area, be sure not to touch the coral. Take care of it.Leave shells and other creatures where they are. The food set up is a delicate balance and we should not do anything, no bet how small it might seem, to upset that balance. If you fish, catch only what you will eat. impart small fish back to reproduce and the largest because they lay the most eggs. And if you dont fish, eat only the species of fish that are on the sustainable seafood list. Even if you are not in the area, you can reduce the amount of freshwater you use, develop habits that reduce the amount o f greenhouse gases we produce like using similarly much electricity or driving a lot. Recycle more, including reusing items.fundamentally reducing our carbon dance step helps our coral reefs. Coral reefs are a vital resource in our environment. They are home to an extremely diverse population that is necessary to all life on earth. Humans have come to depend on this ecosystem for numerous things yet we still see the coral reefs disappearing quickly. But this sensitive ecosystem is depending on us was well. We each can do our part by minimizing our own carbon footprint but so much damage has already been done that this only is not enough. Humans must get involved and be proactive to save this valuable resource before its too late.SourcesRuppert, EE and Barnes, RD, 1994, invertebrate Zoology, 6th Edition, Saunders College Publishing, PhiladelphiaWhat lives on a coral reef?, Teach Ocean Science, http//www.teachoceanscience.net/teaching_resources/education_modules/coral_reefs_and_cl imate_change/what_lives_on_a_coral_reef/, retrieved June 14, 2013. Water Habitat Protection, EPA, http//water.epa.gov/type/oceb/habitat/taskforce.cfm, Retrieved June 10, 2013.Birkeland, C. (1997). Introduction. In Life and expiration of Coral Reefs. Birkeland, C. (ed.). Chapman and Hall, New York.Achituv, Y. Dubinsky, Z. (1990). Evolution and Zoogeography of Coral Reefs. In Ecosystems of the World 25 Coral Reefs. Dubinsky, Z. (ed.). Elsevier, New York.