Coral Reef
By,
Alex Hodges
Locations
1) Great Barrier Reef
Length: 1,553 miles (2,500 km)
Location: Coral Sea near Australia
2) Red Sea Coral Reef
Length: 1,180 miles (1,900 km)
Location: Red Sea near Israel, Egypt and Djibouti
3) New Caledonia Barrier Reef
Length: 932 miles (1,500 km)
Location: Pacific Ocean near New Caledonia
4) The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Length: 585 miles (943 km)
Location: Atlantic Ocean near Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras
5) Florida Reef
Length: 200 miles (322 km)
Location: Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico near Florida
6) Andros Coral Reef
Length: 124 miles (200 km)
Location: Bahamas between the islands of Andros and Nassau
7) Zhongsha Islands
Length: 50 miles (81 km)
Location: South China Sea
8) Saya Del Malha
Area: 15,444 square miles (40,000 sq km)
Location: Indian Ocean
9) Great Chagos Bank
Area: 4,633 square miles (12,000 sq km)
Location: The Maldives
10) Reed Bank
Area: 3,423 square miles (8,866 sq km)
Location: South China Sea, claimed by the Philippines
Fun Facts
Since 1975, more than 90% of the reefs in the Florida Keys have lost
their living coral cover
An estimated 88% of the reefs in Southeast Asia - the most species rich
reefs on earth - are at risk
An estimated 25% of coral reefs have already disappeared and an
estimated two-thirds of all coral reefs are at risk today
•Coral reefs cover less than 0.2% of our oceans but they contain 25% of
the world's marine fish species!
•Coral reefs are second only to rainforests in biodiversity of species.
Temperature
There are different temperatures in different areas
in the coral reefs. Coral reefs live in warm,
shallow waters near land. Since they don't tend
to live in waters colder than 18 degrees Celsius,
coral reefs generally form in between 23
degrees north latitude and 23 degrees south
latitude.In general though, most reefs are
between 74F and 84F
Amount of Light
They need a sufficient amount of sunlight. They
can't live without sunlight with temperature
below 18 degrees celcius. they need to be at
most 250 ft. below the surface of the sea
salinity
The salt concentration of the water must range
between 35 and 38 parts per thousand, and the
concentration of oxygen must remain high.
Endangered animals
1.
dugong “sea cow”
2.
sea turtle
3.
blue whale
4. Coralliophila abbreviata, Elkhorn Coral
Eating Snails
5. Yellowmouth Grouper, Mycteroperca
interstitialis
6. Green Turtles in Bonaire, East Coast Dives
in Bonaire
Endangered Plants
A. Red Mangroves, Curacao Mangroves,
Endangered
B. Endangered Elkhorn Coral, Diving in
Curacao, Corals
C. Acropora cervicornis, Endangered Staghorn
Corals
D. End angered Elkhorn Coral/Species,
Acropora Palmata
E.
Pillar Coral
F.Crisp Pillow Coral
Nutrient Level
Biologically available nitrogen (nitrate plus
ammonia) needs to be below 1.0 micromole per
liter (less than 0.014 parts per million of
nitrogen), and biologically available phosphorus
(orthophosphate plus dissolved organic
phosphorus) needs to be below 0.1 micromole
per liter (less than 0.003 parts per million of
phosphorus). In addition concentrations of
chlorophyll (in the microscopic plants called
phytoplankton) needs to be below 0.5 parts per
billion.
Common animals
Clown Triggerfish
(Balistoides conspicillum)
The clown triggerfish is without a doubt the most beautiful member of the trigger
family. The bright yellow mouth is believed to deter potential predators. As
with most other triggers, the clown is an aggressive feeder, feeding mainly
on crustaceans and mollusks. They use their strong jaws to crack open the
shells of mollusks and crabs.
Orange-green Triggerfish
(Balistapus undulatus)
The orange-green triggerfish is actually the most aggressive of all the trigger
species. Their strong jaws can reduce the hard shells of stony corals to piles
of sand. Their striking colors can vary quite considerably. Indian ocean
variants have orange tails while Pacific Ocean versions can have orangerayed fins. They grow to a length of about 12 inches.
Black Triggerfish
(Odonus niger)
The black triggerfish is one of the less aggressive trigger species. Because of
this they usually make good additions to the home aquarium. They have red
teeth, and their color can actually vary from blue to green from day to day. As
with most triggers, they eat mollusks and crustaceans and it is not
recommended to mix them with invertebrates in the aquarium.
Falco Hawkfish
(Cirrhitichtys falco)
Hawkfishes are a group of coral reef fishes that have a peculiar habit of resting
or perching on corals and rocks as they wait for their prey. They feed on
shrimps and small fish. They are not very good swimmers, and their comic
antics make them an enjoyable addition to the home aquarium. This species
Common Plants
Pineapple Coral
(Montastrea cavernosa)
The pineapple coral is a species whose small polyps form flat, honeycomb
patterns. The colony as a whole forms a large dome-shaped structure. The
polyps are usually green or brown, but can also be found in red or orange.
They feed at night by extending their delicate, translucent tentacles.
Staghorn Coral
(Oxycirrhites typus)
The staghorn coral is a hard coral species that forms a branching structure
resembling the horns of stag deer. The colonies are usually golden-brown
with pale tips, but can also range from blue to pink, purple, orange, green,
Brain Coral
(Diploria strigosa)
There are several varieties of brain corals found throughout the world. The all
get their name from the brain-like ridges that cross their surface. The smooth
brain coral grows in a large dome-shaped structure about 4 feet in diameter.
It is a common species in the Caribbean from Florida to the Bahamas.
Torch Coral
(Caulastrea furcata)
The torch coral is a beautifully colored species with a candy-like appearance. In
fact it is also known as the candycane coral. The polyps are brown with
yellow stripes, and their insides are neon green. They are often found in
small, tight clusters. This coral is nocturnal. It extends its delicate tentacles
to feed at night.
Human interaction
Pollution
Pollution that occurs at sea, such as oil spills, negatively affects coral reefs.
However, a less dramatic but more damaging form of pollution is continuing
industrial run-off from the land. Fertilizers and pesticides used in farming
practices get washed into the sea and cause algae to flourish.
Climate Change
The higher temperatures and increased ultraviolet radiation caused by
greenhouse gases depleting the ozone layer has had a significant impact on
coral reefs. Corals live in a symbiotic relationship with a certain algae called
zooxanthellae, which live inside the corals and assist in providing nutrients
and aiding photosynthesis, both of which the coral needs in order to grow.
Climate change has hindered the growth of this algae, meaning coral has
been less able to reproduce and grow.