Some of the biodiversity of a coral reef.

Coral reefs, also known as sea gardens, are structures consisting of coral skeletons built upon coral skeletons. They grow in tropical seas in the photic zone, where there is mild wave action, not so strong to tear the reef apart yet strong enough to stir the water and deliver sufficient food and oxygen. Coral reefs also need nutrient-poor, clear, warm, shallow water to grow. The limestone cups house coral polyps. Download high resolution version (1200x1600, 210 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1200x1600, 210 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Rainforests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variation of taxonomic life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth. ... Subclasses Alcyonaria Zoantharia See text for orders. ... The photic zone is the depth of the water, whether in a lake or an ocean, that is exposed to sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur. ... Ocean waves Ocean surface waves are surface waves that occur in the upper layer of the ocean. ...

Coral reef biology

Anatomy of a coral polyp.

The building blocks of coral reefs are the generations of reef-building corals, and other organisms that are composed of calcium carbonate. For example, as a coral head grows, it lays down a skeletal structure encasing each new polyp. Waves, grazing fishes (such as parrotfish), sea urchins, sponges, and other forces and organisms break down the coral skeletons into fragments that settle into spaces in the reef structure. Many other organisms living in the reef community contribute their skeletal calcium carbonate in the same manner. Coralline algae are important contributors to the structure of the reef in those parts of the reef subjected to the greatest forces by waves (such as the reef front facing the open ocean). These algae contribute to reef-building by depositing limestone in sheets over the surface of the reef and thereby contributing to the structural integrity of the reef. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (462x670, 123 KB) Summary http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (462x670, 123 KB) Summary http://www. ... Subclasses Alcyonaria Zoantharia See text for orders. ... Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with chemical formula CaCO3. ... In zoology, a polyp is one of two forms of individuals found in many species of cnidarians. ... Genera Bolbometopon Calotomus Cetoscarus Chlorurus Cryptotomus Hipposcarus Leptoscarus Nicholsina Scarus Sparisoma Parrotfishes are mostly tropical, perciform marine fish of the family Scaridae. ... Subclasses Euechinoidea Superorder Atelostomata Order Cassiduloida Order Spatangoida (heart urchins) Superorder Diadematacea Order Diadematoida Order Echinothurioida Order Pedinoida Superorder Echinacea Order Arbacioida Order Echinoida Order Phymosomatoida Order Salenioida Order Temnopleuroida Superorder Gnathostomata Order Clypeasteroida (sand dollars) Order Holectypoida Perischoechinoidea Order Cidaroida (pencil urchins) Sea urchins are spiny sea creatures of... Classes Calcarea Hexactinellida Demospongiae The sponges or poriferans (from the Greek poros pore and ferro to bear) are animals of the phylum Porifera. ... Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with chemical formula CaCO3. ... Genera 39 genera Coralline algae are red algae in the Family Corallinaceae characteriuzed by a thallus covered with calcareous deposits. ...

Reef-building or hermatypic corals are only found in the photic zone (above 50m depth), the depth to which sufficient sunlight penetrates the water for photosynthesis to occur. The coral polyps do not photosynthesize, but have a symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae; these algal cells within the tissues of the coral polyps carry out photosynthesis and produce excess organic nutrients that are then used by the coral polyps. Because of this relationship, coral reefs grow much faster in clear water, which admits more sunlight. Indeed, the relationship is responsible for coral reefs in the sense that without their symbionts, coral growth would be too slow for the corals to form impressive reef structures. Some corals get up to 90% of there nutrients from their zooxanthellae symbionts The photic zone is the depth of the water, whether in a lake or an ocean, that is exposed to sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur. ... The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants. ... Common Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) in their Magnificent Sea Anemone (Heteractis magnifica) home. ... Zooxanthellae are golden-brown endosymbionts of various marine animals and protozoa. ...

Although corals are found growing in most areas of a healthy coral reef, the elevation of the reef flat relative to sea level (and considering tidal range) imposes significant constraints on coral growth. In general, only a small number of hardy coral species can thrive on the reef flat, and these cannot grow above a certain height because the polyps can withstand only limited exposure to the air at low tide. Of course some reef flats carry a meter or so of water over the surface, and then coral growth can be prolific. It is the upward growth of coralline algae on the outer part of the reef flat that ultimately results in an overall rise in the surface elevation of a reef, which typically slopes gently downward in towards the shore or lagoon and very steeply downward in the seaward direction. Prolific growth of these algae is a response to water motion bringing in inorganic nutrients and removing waste products. The damaging effects of exposure at low tide on the algae is ameliorated somewhat by constantly breaking waves on the reef edge. Nonetheless, it is the case that mature reefs are in equilibrium with both sea level and wave regime with respect to their elevation, and excess production of limestone moves away from the margin to expand the reef laterally and fill in low areas. For considerations of sea level change, in particular rise associated with possible global warming, see sea level rise. ... The tidal range is the vertical difference between the highest high tide and the lowest low tide. ... Tides are the cyclic rising and falling of Earths ocean surface caused by the tidal forces of the Moon and the Sun acting on the Earth. ...

The more prolific growths of corals are to be found in water deeper than where the bottom is exposed at low tides: on the frontal reef slope (forereef), in lagoons, and along reef channels that bisect the flat. Under conditions of clear, moving seawater, corals provide the bulk of the skeletal material comprising the reef and the structural complexity that results in a high diversity of reef associated fishes and invertebrates.

Coral reef formations

Diagram of a fringing coral reef.

Coral reefs can take a variety of forms, defined in following; Image File history File links Coral_reef_diagram. ... Image File history File links Coral_reef_diagram. ...

• Apron reef — short reef resembling a fringing reef, but more sloped; extending out and downward from a point or peninsular shore.
• Fringing reef — reef that is directly attached to shore or borders it with an intervening shallow channel or lagoon.
• Barrier reef — reef separated from a mainland or island shore by a deep lagoon; see Great Barrier Reef.
• Patch reef — an isolated, often circular reef, usually within a lagoon or embayment.
• Ribbon reef — long, narrow, somewhat winding reef, usually associated with an atoll lagoon.
• Table reef — isolated reef, approaching an atoll type, but without a lagoon.
• Atoll reef — a more or less circular or continuous barrier reef surrounding a lagoon without a central island; see atoll.
• Bank Reef — Bank reefs are larger than patch reefs and are linear or semi-circular in outline.

This mid bay barrier in Narrabeen, a suburb of Sydney (Australia), has blocked what used to be a bay to form a lagoon. ... Satellite image of part of the Great Barrier Reef adjacent to the Queensland coastal areas of Proserpine and Mackay. ... An atoll is a type of low, coral island found in tropical oceans and consisting of a coral-algal reef usually surrounding an interior body of water called a lagoon or peninsula. ...

World-wide distribution of reefs

Locations of coral reefs.

Coral reefs are estimated to cover 284,300 square kilometres, with the Indo-Pacific region (including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and the Pacific) accounting for 91.9 percent of the total. Southeast Asia accounts for 32.3 percent of that figure, while the Pacific including Australia accounts for 40.8 percent. Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs only account for 7.6 percent of the world total (Spalding et al., 2001). Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Indo-Pacific is the aggregate of the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the minor seas between the two in the general area of Indonesia. ... Location of the Red Sea The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... For other meanings of Pacific, see Pacific (disambiguation). ... The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one_fifth of its surface. ... West Indian redirects here. ...

Coral reefs are either restricted or absent from along the west coast of the Americas, as well as the west coast of Africa. This is due primarily to upwelling and strong cold coastal currents that reduce water temperatures in these areas (Nybakken, 1997). Corals are also restricted from off the coastline of South Asia from Pakistan to Bangladesh (Spalding et al., 2001). They are also restricted along the coast around north-eastern South America and Bangladesh due to the release of vast quantities of freshwater from the Amazon and Ganges Rivers respectively. World map showing the Americas CIA map of the Americas The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World consisting of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa. ... Upwelling is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-deplete surface water. ... This article is about the geopolitical region in Asia. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... A satellite image of the mouth of the Amazon River, looking south The Amazon River or River Amazon (Spanish: ; Portuguese: ) of South America is the most voluminous river on earth, having a greater total flow than the next six largest rivers combined. ... Early morning on the Ganges The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) (Devanagiri गंगा) is a major river in northern India. ...

Famous coral reefs and reef areas of the world include:

• The Great Barrier Reef - largest coral reef system in the world, Queensland, Australia;
• The Belize Barrier Reef - second largest in the world, Belize, Central America; and
• The Red Sea Coral Reef - located off the coast of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Satellite image of part of the Great Barrier Reef adjacent to the Queensland coastal areas of Proserpine and Mackay. ... Capital Brisbane Government Const. ... The coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries. ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... Location of the Red Sea The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia. ...

Ecology and biodiversity

Pennantfish, Pyramid and Milletseed butterflyfish school at Rapture Reef, French Frigate Shoals

Coral reefs support an extraordinary biodiversity; although they are located in nutrient-poor tropical waters. The process of nutrient cycling between corals, zooxanthellae, and other reef organisms provides an explanation for why coral reefs flourish in these waters: recycling ensures that fewer nutrients are needed overall to support the community. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3000x2001, 4710 KB) Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3000x2001, 4710 KB) Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Genera Amphichaetodon Chaetodon Chelmon Chelmonops Coradion Forcipiger Hemitaurichthys Heniochus Johnrandallia Parachaetodon Prognathodes The butterflyfish are a group of conspicuous tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. ... Map of French Frigate Shoals The French Frigate Shoals (Hawaiian: Mokupāpapa) is the largest atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. ... Rainforests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variation of taxonomic life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth. ... In ecology, a biogeochemical cycle is a circuit where a nutrient moves back and forth between both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. ...

Cyanobacteria also provide soluble nitrates for the coral reef through the process of nitrogen fixation. Corals absorb nutrients, including inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, directly from the water, and they feed upon zooplankton that are carried past the polyps by water motion (Castro and Huber, 2000). Thus, primary productivity on a coral reef is very high. Producers in coral reef communities include the symbiotic zooxanthellae, coralline algae, and various seaweeds, especially small types called turf algae, although scientists disagree about the importance of these particular organisms (Castro and Huber, 2000). Orders The taxonomy of the Cyanobacteria is currently under revision. ... An electrostatic potential map of the nitrate ion. ... Nitrogen fixation is the process by which nitrogen is taken from its relatively inert molecular form (N2) in the atmosphere and converted into nitrogen compounds (such as, notably, ammonia, nitrate and nitrogen dioxide) [1] useful for other chemical processes. ... General Name, Symbol, Number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Atomic mass 30. ... Photomontage of plankton organisms Plankton is the aggregate community of weakly swimming but mostly drifting small organisms that inhabit the water column of the ocean, seas, and bodies of freshwater. ... Primary productivity is the amount of light energy converted to chemical energy in a given amount of time. ... Seaweed-covered rocks in the UK For the rock musician, see; Seaweed (musician) Seaweeds are any of a large number of marine benthic algae. ...

Coral reefs are home to a variety of tropical or reef fishes, such as the colorful parrotfishes, angelfishes, damselfishes and butterflyfishes. Other fish groups found on coral reefs include groupers, snappers, grunts and wrasses. Over 4,000 species of fishes inhabit coral reefs (Spalding et al., 2001). A giant grouper at the Georgia Aquarium Fish are aquatic vertebrates that are typically cold-blooded; covered with scales, and equipped with two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins. ... Genera Bolbometopon Calotomus Cetoscarus Chlorurus Cryptotomus Hipposcarus Leptoscarus Nicholsina Scarus Sparisoma Parrotfishes are mostly tropical, perciform marine fish of the family Scaridae. ... The name angelfish may refer to two unrelated types of fish: Freshwater angelfish, tropical cichlids of the genus Pterophyllum. ... Damselfish can refer to any of the following!: The family Pomacentridae, comprising about 400 species of marine fish; All members of that family other than the Clownfishes One of a number of species belonging to the family Pomacentridae, most usually Chromis chromis. ... Genera Amphichaetodon Chaetodon Chelmon Chelmonops Coradion Forcipiger Hemitaurichthys Heniochus Johnrandallia Parachaetodon Prognathodes The butterflyfish are a group of conspicuous tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. ... Genera Acanthistius Alphestes Anyperidon Caprodon Cephalopholis Cromileptes Dermatolepis Epinephelus Gonioplectrus Gracila HypoplectrodesLiopropoma Mycteroperca Niphon Paranthias Plectropomus Saloptia Triso Variola For the computer program, see Grouper (Windows application). ... Genera Aphareus Aprion Apsilus Etelis Hemilutjanus Hoplopagrus Lipocheilus Lutjanus Macolor Ocyurus Paracaesio Pinjalo Pristipomoides Randallichthys Rhomboplites Symphorus Snapper can also refer to the Snapping turtle. ... Genera See text. ... Genera (60 genera) The wrasses are a family (family Labridae) of reef safe marine fish, many of which are brightly-colored and popular for aquaria. ...

Reefs are also home to a large variety of other organisms, including sponges, Cnidarians (which includes some types of corals and jellyfish), worms, crustaceans (including shrimp, spiny lobsters and crabs), molluscs (including cephalopods), echinoderms (including starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers), sea squirts, sea turtles and sea snakes. Aside from humans, mammals are rare on coral reefs, with visiting cetaceans such as dolphins being the main group. A few of these varied species feed directly on corals, while others graze on algae on the reef and participate in complex food webs (Castro and Huber, 2000; Spalding et al., 2001). Classes Calcarea Hexactinellida Demospongiae The sponges or poriferans (from the Greek poros pore and ferro to bear) are animals of the phylum Porifera. ... Classes Anthozoa - Corals and sea anemones Scyphozoa - Jellyfish Staurozoa - Stalked jellyfish Cubozoa - Sea wasps or box jellyfish Polypodiozoa Hydrozoa - Hydroids, hydra-like animals Cnidaria (silent c - pronounced // from New Latin cnida, fr. ... Orders Stauromedusae Coronatae Semaeostomeae Rhizostomae Jellyfish are marine invertebrates belonging to the Scyphozoan class, and in turn the phylum Cnidaria. ... Earthworm A worm is an elongated soft-bodied invertebrate animal. ... Classes & Subclasses Branchiopoda Phyllopoda Sarsostraca Remipedia Cephalocarida Maxillopoda Thecostraca Tantulocarida Branchiura Pentastomida Mystacocarida Copepoda Ostracoda Myodocopa Podocopa Malacostraca Phyllocarida Hoplocarida Eumalacostraca The crustaceans (Crustacea) are a large group of arthropods, comprising approximately 52,000 described species [1], and are usually treated as a subphylum [2].They include various familiar animals... Superfamilies Alpheoidea Atyoidea Bresilioidea Campylonotoidea Crangonoidea Galatheacaridoidea Nematocarcinoidea Oplophoroidea Palaemonoidea Pandaloidea Pasiphaeoidea Procaridoidea Processoidea Psalidopodoidea Stylodactyloidea True shrimp are small, swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. ... Genera Jasus Linuparus Palinurellus Palinurus Panulirus Spiny lobsters, also known as rock lobsters are a family (Palinuridae) of about 45 species of achelate crustaceans, in the Decapoda Reptantia. ... Superfamilies Dromiacea Homolodromioidea Dromioidea Homoloidea Eubrachyura Raninoidea Cyclodorippoidea Dorippoidea Calappoidea Leucosioidea Majoidea Hymenosomatoidea Parthenopoidea Retroplumoidea Cancroidea Portunoidea Bythograeoidea Xanthoidea Bellioidea Potamoidea Pseudothelphusoidea Gecarcinucoidea Cryptochiroidea Pinnotheroidea * Ocypodoidea * Grapsoidea * An asterisk (*) marks the crabs included in the clade Thoracotremata. ... Classes Caudofoveata Aplacophora Polyplacophora - Chitons Monoplacophora Bivalvia - Bivalves Scaphopoda - Tusk shells Gastropoda - Snails and Slugs Cephalopoda - Squids, Octopuses, etc. ... Orders Subclass Nautiloidea †Plectronocerida †Ellesmerocerida †Actinocerida †Pseudorthocerida †Endocerida †Tarphycerida †Oncocerida †Discosorida Nautilida †Orthocerida †Ascocerida †Bactritida Subclass †Ammonoidea †Goniatitida †Ceratitida †Ammonitida Subclass Coleoidea †Belemnoidea †Aulacocerida †Belemnitida †Hematitida †Phragmoteuthida Neocoleoidea (most living cephalopods) Sepiida Sepiolida Spirulida Teuthida Octopoda Vampyromorphida The cephalopods (Greek plural (kephalópoda); head-foot) are the mollusk class Cephalopoda... Classes Asteroidea Blastoidea (extinct) Concentricycloidea Crinoidea Echinoidea Holothuroidea Ophiuroidea Echinoderms (Phylum Echinodermata, from the Greek for spiny skin) are a phylum of marine animals found at all depths. ... NON TECHNICAL AND OF LOW INTELLIGENCE COMPUTER USER CALLING TECH SUPPORT. SEE S.E.C.S. ALSO This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Orders Subclass Apodacea  Apodida  Molpadiida Subclass Aspidochirotacea  Aspidochirotida  Elasipodida Subclass Dendrochirotacea  Dactylochirotida  Dendrochirotida The sea cucumber is an echinoderm of the class Holothuroidea, with an elongated body and leathery skin, which is found on the sea floor worldwide. ... Classes Ascidiacea Thaliacea Appendicularia Urochordata (sometimes known as tunicata and commonly called urochordates, tunicates or sea squirts) is the subphylum of saclike filter feeders with input and output siphons. ... Genera Family Cheloniidae (Oppel, 1811) Caretta Lepidochelys Chelonia Eretmochelys Natator Family Dermochelyidae Family Protostegidae (extinct) Family Toxochelyidae (extinct) Family Thalassemyidae (extinct) Sea turtles (Chelonioidea) are turtles found in all the worlds oceans with the exception of the Arctic Ocean, and some species travel between oceans. ... Genus Aipysurus Amydocephalus Acalyptophis Astrotia Enhydrina Ephalophis Hydrelaps Hydrophis Kerilia Kolpophis Lapemis Parahydrophis Pelamis Thalassophina Thalassophis Laticauda Sea snakes of several different species belong to a group related to the cobras but are aquatic rather than land dwelling. ... I smoke weed im growing a blue penis dude#REDIRECT penises are cool ... Suborders Mysticeti Odontoceti (see text) The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. ... Genera See article below. ... Figure 1. ...

A number of invertebrates, collectively called cryptofauna, inhabit the coral rock substrate itself, either boring into the limestone surface or living in pre-existing voids and crevices. Those animals boring into the rock include sponges, bivalve molluscs, and Sipunculans. Those settling on the reef include many other species, particularly crustaceans and Polychaete worms (Nybakken, 1997). The Sipuncula, sipunculid worms or peanut worms, are a phylum of marine worms with a tentacle surrounded mouth on a completely invertible head end. ... Subclasses Palpata Scoleoida The Polychaeta or polychaetes are a class of annelid worms, generally marine. ...

Due to their vast biodiversity, many governments world-wide take measures to protect their coral reefs. In Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and is the subject of many plans and pieces of legislation, including a Biodiversity Action Plan. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects a large part of Australias Great Barrier Reef from activities that would damage it. ... Diademed Sifaka, an endangered primate of Madagascar Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is a an internationally recognized programme addressing threatened species or habitats, which is designed to protect and restore biological systems. ...

Threats to reefs

Bioerosion (coral damage) such as this may be caused by coral bleaching. ^[1]

Human activity continues to represent the single greatest threat to coral reefs living in Earth's oceans. In particular, pollution and over-fishing are the most serious threats to these ecosystems. Physical destruction of reefs due to boat and shipping traffic is also a problem. The live food fish trade has been implicated as a driver of decline due to the use of cyanide and other chemicals in the capture of small fishes. Finally, above normal water temperatures, due to climate phenomena such as El Niño and global warming, can cause coral bleaching. According to The Nature Conservancy, if destruction increases at the current rate, 70% of the world’s coral reefs will have disappeared within 50 years. This loss would be an economic disaster for peoples living in the tropics. Hughes, et al, (2003), writes that "with increased human population and improved storage and transport systems, the scale of human impacts on reefs has grown exponentially. For example, markets for fishes and other natural resources have become global, supplying demand for reef resources far removed from their tropical sources". A coral reef tha has undergone bioerosion. ... A coral reef tha has undergone bioerosion. ... Warm pink and yellow tones show where sea surface temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef were warm in the top image. ... Ocean (Okeanos, a Greek god of sea and water; Greek ωκεανός) covers almost three quarters (71%) of the surface of the Earth. ... Pollution is the release of environmental contaminants. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The cyanide ion, CN−. From the top: 1. ... Chart of ocean surface temperature anomaly [°C] during the last strong El Niño in December 1997 El Niño and La Niña (also written in English as El Nino and La Nina) are major temperature fluctuations in surface waters of the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. ... Global mean surface temperatures 1856 to 2005. ... The Nature Conservancy is a leading environmental organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. ... Economic Disaster is when the countrys economy starts to die down. ... Map of countries by population —showing the population of the Peoples Republic of China and India, the only two countries to have a population greater than a billion. ...

Currently researchers are working to determine the degree various factors impact the reef systems. The list of factors is long but includes the oceans acting as a carbon dioxide sink, changes in Earth's atmosphere, ultraviolet light, ocean acidification, biological virus, impacts of dust storms carrying agents to far flung reef systems, various pollutants, impacts of algal blooms and others... Reefs are threatened well beyond coastal areas and so the problem is broader than factors from land development and pollution though those are too causing considerable damage. A carbon dioxide (CO2) sink is a carbon reservoir that is increasing in size, and is the opposite of a carbon source. The main natural sinks are (1) the oceans and (2) plants and other organisms that use photosynthesis to remove carbon from the atmosphere by incorporating it into biomass. ... Layers of Atmosphere (NOAA) Air redirects here. ... Note: Ultraviolet is also the name of a 1998 UK television miniseries about vampires. ... Ocean acidification is the name given to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earths oceans, caused by their uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. ... Groups I: dsDNA viruses II: ssDNA viruses III: dsRNA viruses IV: (+)ssRNA viruses V: (-)ssRNA viruses VI: ssRNA-RT viruses VII: dsDNA-RT viruses A virus (Latin, poison) is a microscopic particle that can infect the cells of a biological organism. ... Satellite photo of a Saharan dust cloud (2000) over the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. ... An algal bloom is a relatively rapid increase in the population of (usually) phytoplankton algae in an aquatic system. ...

Land development and pollution

Extensive and poorly managed land development can threaten the survival of coral reefs. Within the last 20 years, once prolific mangrove forests, which absorb massive amounts of nutrients and sediment from runoff caused by farming and construction of roads, buildings, ports, channels, and harbors, are being destroyed. Nutrient-rich water causes fleshy algae and phytoplankton to thrive in coastal areas in suffocating amounts known as algal blooms. Coral reefs are biological assemblages adapted to waters with low nutrient content, and the addition of nutrients favors species that disrupt the balance of the reef communities. Both the loss of wetlands and mangrove habitats are considered to be significant factors affecting water quality on inshore reefs. ^[2] Above and below water view at the edge of the mangal Mangrove are woody trees or shrubs that grow in coastal habitats or mangal (Hogarth, 1999), for which the term mangrove swamp also would apply. ... Sediment is any particulate matter that can be transported by fluid flow and which eventually is deposited as a layer of solid particles on the bed or bottom of a body of water or other liquid. ... A red tide resulting from a dinoflagellate bloom discoloring the water on the right An algal bloom is a relatively rapid increase in the population of (usually) phytoplankton algae in an aquatic system. ... Water quality is the chemical and physical characterization of water. ...

Poor water quality has also been shown to encourage the spread of infectious diseases among corals. ^[3] An infectious disease is a clinically evident disease of humans or animals that damages or injures the host so as to impair host function, and results from the presence and activity of one or more pathogenic microbial agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites, and aberrant proteins known as...

Copper, a common industrial pollutant, has been shown to interfere with the life history and development of coral polyps. ^[4] General Name, Symbol, Number copper, Cu, 29 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 4, d Appearance metallic pinkish red Atomic mass 63. ... Life history refers to a variety of methods and techniques that are used for conducting qualitative interviews. ...

A large area of the Gulf of Mexico is hypoxic during the year, killing countless marine life and threatening the Flower Gardens reef system. Gulf of Mexico in 3D perspective. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Hypoxia (medical). ... Marine biology is the study of animal and plant life within saltwater ecosystems. ... Flower Garden Banks, Northwest Gulf of Mexico: Ecosystem Knowledge This is the place on the web where we can develop local environmental knowledge (ecosystem knowledge) and an encyclopedia about the Flower Garden Banks. ...

Live reef fish trade

The hobby of keeping saltwater aquaria has experienced an increase in world popularity since the 1990s. Beyond sales of aquaria, air pumps, food, medications and other supplies, the primary product of the aquarium industry is fish. However, the world market is limited in the diversity of collected species. For example, among 4000 coral reef fish species, only 200–300 are exploited. Selection of species results from a demand for fish being highly colorful and being able to be maintained and fed in aquaria. The last point is very important in the choice of imported species.

Although a few fish species (e.g. Pomacentridae) can be reproduced in aquaria, 95% of exploited fish are directly collected in the coral environment. Intense sampling of coral reef fish, especially in South-East Asia (including Indonesia and the Philippines), has caused great damage to the environment. A major catalyst of cyanide fishing is poverty within fishing communities. In areas like the Philippines where cyanide is regularly used to catch live aquarium fish, the percentage of the population below the poverty line is 40% ^[5]. In such developing countries, a fisherman might resort to such unethical practices in order to prevent his or her family from starving.  High human development Medium human development Low human development Unavailable A developing country has a relatively low standard of living, an undeveloped industrial base, and a moderate to low Human Development Index (HDI) score. ...

Most, 80–90%, of aquarium fish exported from the Philippines are captured with sodium cyanide. This toxic chemical is dissolved in sea water and released into fish shelters. It has a rapid narcotic effect on fish, which are then easily captured. However, most fish collected with cyanide die a few months after capture from extensive liver damage. Moreover, other fish species that are not interesting for the aquarium market also die in the field.^[6]

Dynamite Fishing

Dynamite fishing is another extremely destructive method that fishermen use to harvest small fish. Sticks of dynamite, grenades or home made explosive are lit or activated and thrown in the water. Once the dynamite goes off the explosion brings about an underwater shockwave causing the internal organs of fish to liquefy killing them almost instantly. A second blast is often set off after the first to kill any larger predators that are attracted to the initial kill of the smaller fish. This method of fishing not only kills the fish within the main blast area but also claims the lives of many reef animals that are not edible or wanted. Also many of the fish do not float to the surface to be collected but sink to the bottom. The blast also kills the corals in the area eliminating the very structure of the reef, destroying the habitat for fish and other animals important for the maintenance of a healthy reef. Areas that used to be full of coral become deserts, full of coral rubble, dead fish and little else, after dynamite fishing. Blast fishing or dynamite fishing describes the practice of using dynamite or other explosives to stun or kill schools of fish for easy collection. ...

Coral bleaching

Main article: Coral bleaching

During the 1998 and 2004 El Niño weather phenomena, in which sea surface temperatures rose well above normal, many tropical coral reefs were bleached or killed. Some recovery has been noted in more remote locations, but global warming could negate some of this recovery in the future. Toxins in the tissue are produced when the water temperatures climb, causing coral bleaching. ^{[citation needed]} Warm pink and yellow tones show where sea surface temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef were warm in the top image. ... Chart of ocean surface temperature anomaly [°C] during the last strong El Niño in December 1997 El Niño and La Niña (also written in English as El Nino and La Nina) are major temperature fluctuations in surface waters of the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. ... Visualisation of the SST of the ocean just before Hurricane Bob (August 14, 1991) Sea surface temperature (SST) is the water temperature at 1 meter below the sea surface. ... Warm pink and yellow tones show where sea surface temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef were warm in the top image. ... Global mean surface temperatures 1856 to 2005. ...

However, Ben McNeil of the University of New South Wales hypothesises that reefs are not in decline, and may exceed pre-industrial levels by as much as 35 percent by 2100, especially because of the positive influence of global warming. However, growth in some reefs due to global warming is expected to be offset by declines in other reefs, due to the comfortable temperature range for a coral being close to the temperature at which they bleach.^{[citation needed]} The University of New South Wales or UNSW is a university situated in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... 2100 can refer to either: The year at the end of the 21st century. ... Average maximum, minimum and range of monthly air temperatures recorded in Campinas, Brazil, between January 2001 and July 2006 Average maximum, minimum and range of monthly air temperatures recorded in Aracaju, state of Sergipe, Brazil, between January 2001 and July 2006 Temperature range is the numerical difference between the minimum...

Some suggest that while reefs may die in certain areas, other areas will become habitable for corals, and form coral reefs. ^[7] Others yet point to data that suggests that the global temperature has never changed by more than a degree for a very long time. (See Global warming controversy). Global climate is a concept that has never been defined, but roughly speaking it is meant to express the average temperature, average precipitation, average intensity of winds and similar features of Earths atmosphere and the whole planets surface. ... The global warming controversy is a debate about the existence and causes of 20th and 21st century global warming, and what steps, if any, society should take in response. ...

Destruction worldwide

Southeast Asian coral reefs are at risk from damaging fishing practices (such as cyanide and blast fishing), overfishing, sedimentation, pollution and bleaching. A variety of activities, including education, regulation, and the establishment of marine protected areas are under way to protect these reefs. Indonesia, for example has nearly 33,000 square miles of coral reefs. Its waters are home to a third of the world’s total corals and a quarter of its fish species. Indonesia's coral reefs are located in the heart of the Coral Triangle and have been victim to destructive fishing, unregulated tourism, and bleaching due to climatic changes. Data from 414 reef monitoring stations throughout Indonesia in 2000 found that only 6 percent of Indonesia’s coral reefs are in excellent condition, while 24 percent are in good condition, and approximately 70 percent are in poor to fair condition (2003 The Johns Hopkins University). Southeast Asian coral reefs have the highest levels of biodiversity for the worlds marine ecosystems. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish by hooking, trapping, or gathering animals not classifiable as insects which breathe in water or pass their lives in water. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ...

General estimates show approximately 10% of the coral reefs around the world are already dead. ^[8][9]Problems range from environmental effects of fishing techniques, described above, to Ocean acidification. ^[10] Coral bleaching is another manifestation of the problem and is showing up in reefs across the planet. Ocean acidification is the name given to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earths oceans, caused by their uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. ... Warm pink and yellow tones show where sea surface temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef were warm in the top image. ...

Protection and restoration of reefs

Inhabitants of Ahus Island, Manus Province, Papua New Guinea, have followed a generations-old practice of restricting fishing in six areas of their reef lagoon. While line fishing is permitted, net and spear fishing are restricted based on cultural traditions. The result is that both the biomass and individual fish sizes are significantly larger in these areas than in places where fishing is completely unrestricted (Cinner et al. 2005).^[11] Image File history File links ManusReefs_L7_2000Feb20. ... Image File history File links ManusReefs_L7_2000Feb20. ... Location of Manus Province in Papua New Guinea Manus Province is the smallest province in Papua New Guinea with a land area of 2100km², but with more than 220,000km² of water. ... |0. ...

It is estimated that about 60% of the world’s reefs are at risk due to destructive, human-related activities. The threat to the health of reefs is particularly strong in Southeast Asia, where an enormous 80% of reefs are considered endangered. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... The critically endangered Amur Tiger, a rare subspecies of tiger. ...

Marine Protected Areas

One method of coastal reef management that has become increasingly prominent is the implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). MPAs have been introduced in Southeast Asia and elsewhere around the world to attempt to promote responsible fishery management and habitat protection. Much like the designation of national parks and wild life refuges, potentially damaging extraction activities are prohibited. The objectives of MPAs are both social and biological, including restoration of coral reefs, aesthetic maintenance, increased and protected biodiversity, and economic benefits. Conflicts surrounding MPAs involve lack of participation, clashing views and perceptions of effectiveness, and funding. The term Marine Protected Area is often used as an umbrella term covering a wide range of marine areas with some level of restriction to protect living, non-living, cultural, and/or historic resources. ... Fisheries management is today often referred to as a governmental system of management rules based on defined objectives and a mix of management means to implement the rules, which is put in place by a system of monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS). ... Habitat (from the Latin for it inhabits) is the place where a particular species lives and grows. ... Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK A national park is a reserve of land, usually declared and owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ...

Indonesia currently has nine MPAs, claiming a total 41,129 square kilometres of coastal waters are to be under protection. ^{[citation needed]} A study done on one of the more recently established MPAs in Indonesia showed the need for co-management when it comes to the success of managing MPAs. This collaborative approach emphasizes the cooperation and partnership between parties at the national, provincial, and local community level. Local community is a geographically defined community, a group of people living close to each other. ...

The coral reefs in the Philippines and Indonesia are disappearing rapidly due to dynamite and cyanide fishing. Between 1966 and 1986 the productivity of coral reefs in the Philippines dropped by one-third as the national population doubled (State of the Reefs). ^{[citation needed]} In Indonesia as well, over eighty percent of the coral reefs are under threat (The Jakarta Post). These two locations are home to the world's most diverse range of corals. If the rate of destruction does not diminish, seventy percent of all the world's coral reefs will be gone in the next twenty-five to forty years (the Philippines). ^{[citation needed]} The Jakarta Post is a daily English-language newspaper in Indonesia. ...

Organizations

Numerous organizations exist that aim to help preserve coral reef habitat. For instance, The Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) is an international, non-profit organization that works to bring responsibility and sustainability to the aquarium fish trade industry concerned with industry practices that bring harm to coral reefs. Such concerns include the use of cyanide to stun and collect fish, poor handling and husbandry practices, wild stock depletion, limited government regulation and management of natural resources, and lack of reliable data about the industry. A ban on collecting organisms from reefs for the aquarium industry would create a loss of income to communities, and possibly an increase in illegal trade. MAC encompasses a large network of researchers, industry operators and conservationists to ensure objective solutions that can benefit the industry and the environment. MAC supports the concept that there is a sustainable and responsible way to meet the demands of the industry by creating international standards and certification schemes to inform and educate consumers, collectors, and retailers on the importance of sustaining healthy coral reef environments. A nonprofit organization (abbreviated NPO, or non-profit or not-for-profit) is an organization whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes. ...

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) (http://www.coral.org) is a member-supported, non-profit organization, dedicated to protecting the health of coral reefs by integrating ecosystem management, sustainable tourism, and community partnerships. CORAL works with communities to identify and solve conservation challenges; changes attitudes and behaviour through education and training; provides resources to strengthen conservation efforts; and creates incentives for sustainable tourism. Current project sites include Florida, Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Hawaii. There are many different definitions of sustainable tourism that have been developed over the last decade. ...

CORAL's unique and comprehensive Coral Reef Sustainable Destination (CRSD) model establishes six broad indicators to measure the sustainability of the destination, along with five levels of conservation capacity that can be observed and measured. Prior to working with a site, CORAL identifies a coral destination's existing capacity to achieve objectives along a continuum of increasing sustainability. The CRSD model is then used to measurably increase the capacity of marine recreation providers, reef managers, and local communities to work collaboratively towards coral reef conservation. Upon completion of work, destinations will have the fundamental skills and capacity to implement effective and financially sustainable coral conservation strategies. Coral bleaching is a major threat to coral around the globe Its caused by coral damage and bleaching is were the coral goes white and decays.

Coral damage however is caused by the huge amount of human pressure. Human pressure is were the extent of the tourist and the dynamics of the water, has but pressure on the coral and causes it to decay or break.

See also

• Artificial reef
• Coral
• Coral bleaching
• Coral rag
• Black band disease
• Marine conservation
• Project AWARE
• White band disease

Construction in place of an artificial reef from hollow tile blocks Ship about to be scuttled to act as an Artificial Reef An artificial reef is a man-made, underwater structure, typically built for the purpose of promoting marine life in areas of generally featureless bottom. ... Subclasses Alcyonaria Zoantharia See text for orders. ... Warm pink and yellow tones show where sea surface temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef were warm in the top image. ... Coral rag is a rubbly limestone composed of ancient coral reef material. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... Marine conservation, also known as marine resources conservation, is the protection and preservation of ecosystems in oceans and seas. ... Project AWARE is a non-profit, worldwide, organization dedicated to Conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. ... White band disease is characterized by complete coral tissue degradation of Caribbean acroporid corals. ...

References

April 17 is the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (108th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fountain of Four Seasons by Christian Petersen with the Campanile in the background Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant and space-grant university located in Ames, Iowa. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 26 is the 238th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (239th in leap years). ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... January 16 is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... The Earth Observatory is a publishing organization of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ...

General references

Part of a scientific laboratory at the University of Cologne. ... August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• ARC Centre of Excelence in Coral Reef Studies
• Coral reef facts from The Nature Conservancy
• Coral Reefs: Frequently Asked Questions
• NOAA's Coral-List Listserver for Coral Reef Information and News
• NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program
• NOAA's Coral Reef Information System
• NOAA Report: The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005
• Bagheera Coral Reefs At Bagheera: An Educational Website About Earth's Endangered Animals
• ReefBase: A Global Information System on Coral Reefs
• Global Coral Reef Alliance
• Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
• Marine Aquarium Council
• NCORE National Center for Coral Reef Research University of Miami
• Reef Management
• "Coral Bones" - an investigation into the future of coral reefs
• The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) - Working Together to Keep Coral Reefs Alive
• Science and Management of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
• A special report on the plight of the planet's coral reefs—and how you can help—from Mother Jones magazine
• Coral reefs – their distribution and origin