Coral Reefs

One of the unique phenomena that occurs in the ocean due to the movement of the earth landmass is the formation of coral reefs. Corals are organisms that grows based on a landmass or a similar hard structure, and can harbor algal symbionts in their tissues. There are favorable conditions for the formation of a coral system, and those are:

• ·         Sea water
• ·         Warm or tropical temperatures
• ·         And ample amount of sunlight

Because of these conditions, coral systems form around the tropical zone of the Earth, and poses as a valuable resource for the marine economy and the marine ecosystem because it becomes the harbor for a vast diversity of fish, algaes and other marine life forms. On economic standpoint, coral reefs are touristic attractions and a source of fishing which can help the local economy. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the most prominent coral reef popular among tourists and makes immense contribution to local economy by attracting a great number of visitors.

Coral reefs are classified into three; fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls.

Fringing reefs are coral systems that develops around the coastline or shoreline, around continents or islands. Examples include the Florida Keys reefs.

Barrier reefs are systems that forms along the outer edges of continental shelves that have submerged, usually separated from the mainland and forms in channels.

Atolls are circular reefs forming around a submerged seamount or volcano, and forms as these islands or volcanoes submerge into the sea, leaving the donut shaped reef to grow taller as the sealevel rises.

Coral reefs are valuable natural habitats, and is equivalent to a rainforest because of its vast biodiversity. Because corals form in a very complex shape and size, a simbiont relationship can be formed between marine animals and plants. These systems are extremely sensitive to water temperature, and recent climb in the oceanic temperature had adverse impacts on reefs around the world, resulting in losses of species, decline in biodiversity in the reefs and a phenomena known as coral bleaching.

Bleaching is a name given when corals expel their symbiotic algae due to elevated water temperature. There was massive coral bleaching during 1997-98 and less than half of those have recovered so far. The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, fueled by usage of fossil fuels have driven the acidification of the ocean water, resulting in corals being unable to secrete enough calcium carbonate for its growth. There are other concerns, mainly human-driven, such as excessive fishing, harvesting of reef resources and contamination, which are preventing the recovery of coral reefs around the globe.

Biodiversity can be easily affected by human activities and it is even more vulnerable with all the humans inhabiting on the planet. It is important to maintain the balance and set policies to protect natural resources as we drive our economy and prosperity, especially if these resources involves natural habitat for others species because nature has a direct impact on our future survival.

References

Kleypas, J. (July 14, 2012). Coral Reef. The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/article/Coral_reef?topic=49570

Shah, A. (January 11, 2011). Coral Reefs: Ecosystems of Environmental and Human Value. Global Issues. Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/173/coral-reefs