by Shekinah Quinnett-Cook

Created on: December 30, 2010

Danger in the water.

Coral has often been mistaken for plants or rocks, but it is actually made up of accumulations of individual animals. These are coral polyps, they are small marine invertebrate animals. There are two types of corals, hard and soft. Huge colonies of hard corals form coral reefs in various shapes and vivid colors. These tiny living animals are some of the most constructive and collaborative on Earth. Coral Reefs are known to grow best in warm, clear, waters, usually shallow with a sunny location. Coral reefs form a uniquely diverse ecosystem that provides a home for 25% of all marine species such as: rays, sponge, echinoderm, and numerous types of rare fish, creating a rare mix of food, shelter and socializing, thus playing a key role in life both above and below the oceans surface. Beyond scientific fact and benefit, coral is an artistic fairyland of bright colors and ever changing patterns. Economically healthy coral reefs support commercial and subsistence fisheries, as well as jobs and businesses in relation to tourism and recreation.

Despite its appearance Coral reefs make for a fragile ecosystem, and it is in very real danger of disappearing forever. There are a myriad of issues that threaten its amazing existence, such as: climate change, ocean acidification, blast fishing, cyanide fishing (poisoning to capture aquarium fish), over taxed reef resources, harmful agricultural practices, careless tourism, and over population of natural predators (like the crown-of-thorns starfish). From Florida Key to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the damage is becoming evident.

At Australia’s Great Barrier Reef the crown-of-thorns starfish, a type of echinoderm, equipped with a variable 12 to 19 arms, consume the coral reefs by climbing on them and extending their stomach over them, it then excretes a digestive enzyme transforming the reef into a digestible, liquefied substance. Even though the cause of this current starfish outbreak is not totally clear, it is thought that it could be linked to agricultural runoff, this increases algal blooms that starfish larvae feed on, as well as the removal of the starfish’s natural predators. There has been no viable solution reached for this problem as of yet. The surveyors of the reef are now suggesting that the best way to slow the starfish down is to ensure that human activity in the area is reduced.

Coral bleaching, named for the paled or completely white appearance it causes in once vividly

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>