Essay about Bioerosion and Reef Ecology

Coral Reefs ecosystems only covered two tracks up to the 1970-80’s and they were biological and geological. From those years, we have been able to study and learn more about coral reefs. We have found that these reefs exist and a continued form such as none reef-building coral ecosystems can have fast structures being built. There is still quite a bit of things we will need to learn such as determining if coral communities are dependent on the abilities of reef building. They are used for structure and providing space to the ecosystem of the reef itself, having biodiversity, and to support the reef in all capabilities. Coral reefs are one of the most distinguish ecosystem in the world, but these are getting threatened by ocean acidification.

Coral reefs exist all over the world and are generally known as being one of the most diverse, intricate and beautiful of all existing marine habitats. They have many varying structures which are developed by algae and are symbiotic with various reef building corals which are referred to as, zooxanthellae (algae). There are many other factors such as, coralline algae, sponges and other various organisms that are combined with a number of cementation processes which also contribute to reef growth, (CORAL REEFS, 2015).

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet. There are more than 25,000 known species of organisms and countless others that have yet to be identified (Helvarg, 2000). Reefs thrive on the shallow edge of tropical seas, most often on the eastern edge of continents along warm water currents that brush the coasts. Reefs cannot live in cold waters and are limited by ocean depth and available sunlight. Coral is the foundation of the reef community, providing a three-dimensional structure where thousands of species of vertebrates and invertebrates live and feed. Some species of coral are hard, while others soft. Some are branched, yet others are compact and rounded. Coral is made up of large

Consisting of less than 1% of the world oceans, the coral reefs are ancient animals comprising of thin calcium carbonate deposits within the photic layer. Aside from its biologically diverse ecosystems, coral reefs are major source of food for millions and provides habitats and nursery areas for many marine organisms. Coral reefs also act as a physical buffer to protect the coastlines from tropical storms and erosion. In addition, many local communities rely on coral reefs to generate an income through activities such as fishing and diving. However, 75% of the coral reefs are under threat from induced impacts of humans and climate change (Burke, et al., 2011). This essay looks at the human impacts constantly being inflicted on coral reefs.

Coral reef ecosystems around the globe are threatened by human interferences and climate change. This has led to many scientists conducting studies on global coral reef ecosystems to gain a better understanding of the cause and effects of coral reef damage. In both Hodgson’s (1999) and Carpenter et al.’s (2008) studies, they are aware of the continuous degradation of global coral reef ecosystems. Hodgson's study involved conducting a survey on global coral reef ecosystems to see whether human actions were affecting the health of supposed pristine Coral reefs. Carpenter et al. incorporated Hodgson’s study into a compiled study about the possible extinction of reef building corals due to climate change and anthropogenic effects. Carpenter’s

The coral reefs are one of the most ecologically diverse ecosystems in the world, as it is home to hundreds of thousands of different species of animals and algae which work symbiotically together to help each other be able to survive and thrive in the environment. One of these very important symbiotic relationships is the connection corals have to an algae called zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae is a photosynthetic algae that lives inside of coral. It specializes in the production of oxygen and the removal of wastes for the coral. Through the process of photosynthesis, zooxanthellae also supplies coral with glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which the coral would use to make proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and calcium carbonate. (Corals/Zooxanthellae...)

David Attenborough, a well-known naturalist, introduce us to our modern day “Darwin,” J.E.N. Veron, a former chief scientist whom is the world’s greatest scientific authorities on corals and coral reefs. Veron who has lived and worked on the Great Barrier Reef for most his life has discovered over 20 percent of the known coral species today. And today, he gives us an insight on why the earth’s reefs face a likely mass extinction within the lifespan of the younger generation. During his time as a scientist, he researched particularly on the diversity and evolution of the world’s corals and became aware of their troubles. He then began his studies on the analyses of previous reef extinctions and accrued more evidence of the effects of changing sea levels, temperature stresses, predation by crown of thorns starfish, and human influenced changes in nutrient levels. Veron had witnessed his first patch of coral bleaching off the Great Barrier Reef’s Palm Island in the early 1980s, a tiny clump of white skeleton. Everything started turning white and dies, it was the fast-growing branching corals, but some of the others were horrible to see. After witnessing the mass bleaching, the global damage confirmed a close connection with El Nino weather cycles. By being susceptible to increases in heat and light, corals were alerting scientists to climatic changes. When corals are exposed to temperatures two or three degrees hotter than their evolved maximum, along

Although it may not be apparent to many, coral reefs are an immense necessity to ecosystems across the globe. They act as a major source of nitrogen and other critical nutrients for the hundreds of marine food chains that live close to or in these ecosystems. Coral is proves to be a major factor is recycling these nutrients. On top of this, coral reefs are a major component when it comes looking at its assistance in carbon and nitrogen fixing (an essential process due to the rise is global warming and pollution). Coral reefs absorb nearly one-third of the carbon dioxide generated by burning fossil fuels (GCCM). Aside from the ecological benefits, there are many benefits humans gain from healthy coral reefs. Coral reefs are an enormous help when it come to hurricanes. These reefs act as a natural barrier against storm surges. The natural barriers provide protection to coastlines from damage in which intense waves and tropical storms can bring. Reefs bring in billions of dollars to not only the United States, but hundreds of countries around the globe, as well as millions of employment opportunities. Reefs can help humans in the medical field as well. In these reefs lie the potential to implement biotechnologies and develop treatments for many illnesses, both acute and fatal alike. Coral reefs most crucial impact on this earth is one that cannot be disregarded. While coral reefs merely cover a fraction of a percent of the oceanic floor, these reefs produce what is estimated

Imagine the ocean, our beautiful blue, red, and green galore coral reefs supporting nearly a quarter of the oceans marine wildlife, simply being stripped away. Unfortunately this isn't a fantasy, but a key global issue happening in our oceans today. Due to environmental issues occurring in the ocean such as competition and predation, but now a days, most impacting is marine pollution and ocean acidification, causing a rapid decline in coral reef habitats, impacting our world as we know it. Coral reefs are greatly important to our world because they are one of the most diverse ecosystems, containing over 25% of all marine species, in addition to providing essential environments for marine food chains. Reefs are physically as well as biologically

The physical environment of coral reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, are essentially made up of “reef-building corals ( or hermatypic)”2 which are formed by polyps, very small, vulnerable animals that unite together to coral colonies by excreting calcium carbonate to protect their soft bodies. To be able to build up a coral reef and survive, the polyps are in a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae. These algae provide the corals with for example their significant color and increase the

This accumulation of terragenous sediment on coral reefs and coral habitats has been shown to have an adverse effect, by increasing the water turbidity and decreasing water clarity. This change in the water inhibits the penetration of sunlight. Sunlight is essential for the zooxanthellea, symbiotic algae living inside of the coral, to perform photosynthesis which allows the coral to remove waste. Additionally the glucose, amino acids, and glycerol that are formed by the zooxanthellea as a direct result of this photosynthesis, are used by corals to produce fats, carbohydrates and calcium carbonates all of which are necessary for the coral to continue to

Coral bleaching is a phenomenal threat that occurs in response to fluctuating water temperatures, salinity levels, light exposure and disease (Veron, 2009). Embedded within the tissues of coral is a photosynthetic algae known as Zooxanthellae. Both coral and zooxanthellae share an integral symbiotic relationship each allowing each other to function. Zooxanthellae provide the coral with carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis, allowing the coral to form its calcium carbonate skeleton. In response, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with nutrients needed for its survival. The ‘bleaching’ of the coral is a stress response to the breakdown of the coral-zooxanthellae relationship through the expulsion of the algae from the coral. When

Coral reefs are generally called the rainforests of the sea, both due to the extensive amount of species they shelter, and to the significant productivity they generate (ICRI 2012). In addition to contributing to a valued habitat, coral reefs provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding areas, and provide nearly $30 billion (US) in net benefits in goods and services to world economies, including, tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection (ICRI 2012). Coral reefs are deteriorating all over the world due to untreated sewage and chemical agriculture run-off and unregulated coastal construction, both of which increases sedimentation, but they are also affected by over fishing and destructive fishing practices, scuba diving, and increased tourism (Spalding et al. 2001).

Coral reefs are living structures comprised of the exoskeletons of a marine organism known as polyps. Polyps are animals that have a symbiotic relationship with algae that lives inside the polyps and provides the coral with energy through photosynthesis, which is the process of turning light into energy, and the coral provides a safe place for the algae to reside in. Bleaching in corals occurs when environmental stressors cause the coral to eject the algae from itself, causing the coral to lose its pigment and its main way of producing energy (Kenneth et al. 540). It is estimated that 30% of coral reefs around the world have been damaged or destroyed by bleaching, and about 60% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk from bleaching (Lönnstedt et al 1178-1185).

     Coral reefs are one of the oldest types of living systems on earth, and certainly one of the most spectacular (Goreau, 1987). They are massive underwater structures formed by the limestone skeletons of tiny invertebrate animals. Reefs house a greater diversity of body forms, chemistry, and animal phyla (thirty-two compared to the eight that inhabit the most biodiversity ecosystems on land). Phyla comprise the second largest category of living things, after kingdoms.