Coral reefs[1]

Coral reefs[1]

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  By: Veeshalla Maharaj Kavita Dookie
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  Coral reefs aremassive structures made of limestone deposited by living things. Although thousands of species inhabit coral reefs, only a fraction produce the limestone that builds the reef. The most important reef-building organisms are the corals. Corals are sessile animals, meaning they are not mobile but stay fixed in one place. They feed by reaching out with tentacles to catch prey such as small fish and planktonic animals.
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   Corals livein colonies consisting of many individuals, each of which is called polyp. They secrete a hard calcium carbonate skeleton, which serves as a uniform base or substrate for the colony. The skeleton also provides protection, as the polyps can contract into the structure if predators approach. It is these hard skeletal structures that build up coral reefs over time.
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   There arethree main types of Coral reefs, these are : 1. Coral atolls- which are rings of coral that create protected lagoons and are usually located in the middle of the sea. Atolls usually form when islands surrounded by fringing reefs sink into the sea or the sea level rises around them (these islands are often the tops of underwater volcanoes).
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   2. Barrierreefs- are parallel to the coastline but are separated by deeper, wider lagoons. At their shallowest point they can reach the water's surface forming a "barrier" to navigation. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest and most famous barrier reef in the world 3.Fringing reefs- grow near the coastline around islands and continents. They are separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons. Fringing reefs are the most common type of reef that we see for example the Buccoo reef in Tobago ;-)
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  Atoll
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  Barrier Reef
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  Fringing Reef
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   Coral reefsprovide COASTAL PROTECTION by slowing down waves that would otherwise break directly on the shore. These waves can be destructive and damage unprotected sea-front property.
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   Coral reefsalso protect other ecosystems, like sea- grass meadows and mangroves. These ecosystems provide us with many important ecosystem services like water purification and food.  In addition coral reefs protect coastlines from tropical storms and tsunamis. This protection is likely to become more important as climate change is predicted to make tropical storms more frequent and destructive
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  Coral reefs compriseone of the most diverse ecosystems on earth, and are home to over one million species unfortunately, human interaction with coral reefs are causing them to be destroyed at such a high rate that already 10% of coral reef habitat has been destroyed, and within the next 20 – 40 years up to 60% will be destroyed.
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   The majorityof coral reef destruction can be blamed on human practices. Fisheries often use extremely destructive methods in order to catch fish, such as blast fishing (setting off dynamite to stun fish) or cyanide fishing (using poison to stun fish). The sustainability of the fishing industry will then depend on educating fishermen about the importance of coral reefs and the role they play.
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  Protects coastline fromthe destructive waves and storm surges as they act as a barrier and so prevent beach erosion. Provide harbours and beaches Tourist attraction ( diving, photography) which generates much needed foreign exchange for the region.
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   Breeding groundfor fish and other marine life thus impacting on lives of people along coast and especially in Caribbean where island culture exists – fisher folks and so destruction would result in change in their livelihood. Habitats, shelter and food for marine fauna and flora . Provides aesthetic value to region
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  Coastal development; constructionof hotels, marinas provide turgid waters choke coral growth. Silt from land due to run off destroy coral organisms Fertilizer run off from farm lands as well as oil spills destroy marine life.
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   Damages causedby recreation and tourism- anchors, boat grounding. Over exploitation by fishermen. Destructive fishing methods such as dragging fish net, dynamiting. Global warming will result in rise in sea level. Waters will become too deep for corals to survive.
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  Thank you foryour attention.