CORAL REEFS

Coral reefs

Corals are ancient marine organisms that evolved around 540 million years ago. Despite being sensitive
to light levels and temperature, corals have survived numerous mass extinction events in geological
history. Colourful, branching tropical corals may look like plants but are actually animals (marine
invertebrates). The coral animals, called polyps, are colonial, and the familiar coral structures house
them. Coral polyps are filter feeders, using tentacles to trap plankton and even small fish. Not all corals
are tropical. Some species exist in cold waters, but these tend to have only soft polyp bodies and not a
hard skeleton.

Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living creatures that are found in oceans. They are the underwater
structures that are formed of coral polyps that are held together by calcium carbonate. Coral reefs are
also regarded as the tropical rainforest of the sea and occupy just 0.1% of the ocean’s surface but are
home to 25% of marine species. They are usually found in shallow areas at a depth of less than 150 feet.
However, some coral reefs extend even deeper, up to about 450 feet.

What are coral reefs?

Coral polyps are individual corals that are found on the calcium carbonate exoskeletons of their
ancestors. Corals can be found in all the oceans, but the biggest coral reefs are mostly found in the clear,
shallow waters of the tropics and subtropics. The largest of these coral reef systems, the Great Barrier
Reef in Australia, is more than 1,500 miles long.

Factors Affecting Coral Reefs

Extreme climate conditions: High temperatures in the water lead to the declination of these
corals, as they cannot survive in high temperatures. As estimated by scientists, most of the coral
reefs in the world will soon decline with the increasing rates of ocean warming.
Overfishing: Overfishing is another major concern as it is leading to an ecological imbalance in
the coral reefs.
Coastal development: The development of coastal infrastructure and tourist resorts on or close
to these coral reefs causes significant damage.
Pollution: The toxic pollutants that are dumped directly into the ocean can lead to the poisoning
of coral reefs as they increase the nitrogen level of the seawater, leading to an overgrowth of
algae.
Sedimentation: Construction along the coasts and islands leads to soil erosion, increasing the
sediments in the river. As a result, it can smother corals by depriving them of the light needed to
survive.
Growth Conditions for Coral Reefs

The temperature of the water should not be below 20°C. The most favourable temperature for
the growth of coral reefs is between 23°C and 25°C. The temperature should not exceed 35°C.
Corals can survive only under saline conditions with an average salinity between 27% and 40%.
Coral reefs grow better in shallow water with a depth less than 50 m. The depth of the water
should not exceed 200 metres.

Types of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are differentiated into three categories based on their shape, nature, and mode of
occurrence.

Fringing Reef: The coral reefs that are found very close to the land and form a shallow lagoon
known as Boat Channel are called Fringing Coral Reefs. The Fringing Reefs develop along the
islands and the continental margins. They grow from the deep bottom of the sea and have their
seaward side sloping steeply into the deep sea. Fringing reefs are the most commonly found
coral reefs among the three. For example, Sakau Island in the New Hebrides, South Florida Reef
Barrier Reef: Barrier reefs are considered the largest, highest, and widest reefs among the three
coral reefs. They develop off the coast and parallel to the shore as a broken and irregular ring.
Being the largest reef among all, they run for 100 kilometres and are several kilometres wide.
One example of a barrier reef is the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, which is 1200 miles long.
Atolls: An atoll can be defined as a reef that is roughly circular and surrounds a large central
lagoon. This lagoon is mostly deep, having a depth of 80–150 metres. The atolls are situated
away from the deep sea platforms and are found around an island or on a submarine platform in
an elliptical form. For example, Fiji Atolls, Suvadivo in the Maldives, and Funafoothis Atoll in
Ellice

CORAL REEF BENEFITS

BIODIVERSITY

Coral reefs support life. Coral reefs are home to a diverse 1/3 of the earth's species of fish, some not
known to any other parts of the earth. Habitat for tens of thousands of other animals. The plants and
coral also provide solid shelter (from predators), housing, and food to the ecosystem (all species).

FOOD SOURCE
The fishing industry and the common income source for the fishermen in the coastal areas are heavily
dependent on the coral reefs. Fish caught in coral reefs feed billions of people worldwide.

TOURISM

Ecotourism is a major part of many local economies. Coral reefs draw a staggering amount of tourists
each year, making it a billion-dollar industry. Many hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, fisheries, diving
shops, and tour guides depend on tourists' attention to marine life as a means of income.

COASTAL PROTECTION

Coral reefs protect land. Healthy coral reefs lessen the force of incoming waves; this buffers shorelines
from currents, waves, and storms, helping to prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion.
Coastlines protected by reefs are more stable in terms of erosion than those without. Reefs are also a
source of sand for natural beach replenishment.

MEDICINE

Coral reefs save lives. Studies claim that coral calcium, extracted from coral, can cure cancer, diabetes,
arthritis, heart disease, osteoporosis, eczema, Alzheimer's disease, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol,
muscle cramps, kidney stones, gallstones, gout, indigestion, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, hiatal
hernia, hypertension, headaches, etc. It has been used in the fight against HIV and tuberculosis. It can be
used in bonegrafts, which facilitate bone growth.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PROTECT CORAL REEFS?

No matter where you live, near the coast or hundreds of miles away, there are several things that you
can do to keep coral reefs healthy. Many dangers to coral reefs occur directly in the water, but many
also come from activities that occur on land, even those far from the coast. Below are lifestyle changes
that anyone can adopt that can make a difference for the health of our coral reefs.

WHEN VISITING CORAL REEFS

Avoid touching reefs or anchoring your boat on the reef. Contact with the reef will damage the delicate
coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill corals, so look for sandy bottoms or use moorings, if
available.

APPLY A REEF-FRIENDLY SUN PROTECTION APPROACH

Some ingredients in sunscreen can be harmful to or even kill corals. Inform yourself of safer choices for
coral. Better yet, cut down on sunscreen use by wearing a long-sleeved shirt or rash guard to prevent
sunburn.

EVERY DAY

RECYCLE AND DISPOSE OF TRASH PROPERLY

Marine debris can be harmful to coral reefs. Recycle your trash at home and on the go (especially
plastic), and remember the three R's (reduce, reuse, and recycle). When disposing of trash, do it
properly in bins to avoid trash being blown or washed away into waterways and oceans. On beaches,
make sure you leave no trash behind, and never throw or leave any cigarette butts in the sand. You can
help keep your rivers and streams clean by volunteering to pick up trash in your community. Check with
your local environmental organisations for annual trash clean-ups, and make sure to check the annual
International Coastal Cleanup.

MINIMIZE THE USE OF FERTILISERS

An EPA diver swimming over a coral reef outcrop shows stony corals and soft corals (sea fans). The
overuse of fertilisers on lawns harms water quality because nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from
the fertiliser are washed into waterways and eventually end up in oceans. These nutrients pollute the
water and can harm coral reefs.

USE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

Instead of driving a car, try to walk, bike, or use public transport (like buses and trains) more often. If
you are planning to buy a car, choose a fuel-efficient vehicle like a hybrid or electric car. Using these
cleaner transportation methods can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas that is emitted into the
atmosphere. These emissions contribute to ocean acidification and increased ocean temperatures. More
acidic ocean waters impede coral growth, and warmer waters cause coral bleaching.
REDUCE STORMWATER RUNOFF

It can help prevent water pollution, reduce flooding, and protect our water resources. Homeowners can
install water catchments or rain gardens and use rain barrels to collect rainwater that would otherwise
be diverted to storm drains.

SAVE ENERGY AT HOME AND AT WORK

You can save energy at home by turning off lights and electronic devices when not in use and opting to
buy energy-efficient appliances, such as Energy Star-certified appliances. At work, try to turn the lights
and your computer off when you leave.

BE CONSCIOUS WHEN BUYING AQUARIUM FISH

Avoid purchasing living coral, and if you buy a marine aquarium fish, make sure that it has been
collected in a sustainable manner.

SPREAD THE WORD

Learn more about coral reefs and educate your community. You can share this information with your
family, your friends, and your local schools and businesses, and you can always contact your local
representatives to see what your state is doing to protect water quality and coral reefs.