What is a Coral Reef | What is coral Reef made of? | Coral Reef Explanation

Coral Reef

Coral reefs are formed by the interaction between many different species of marine animals and plants. It is a complex community of hundreds of thousands of individual organisms including fish, sponges, algae and corals. Their interactions help maintain the water quality and provide food and shelter for the surrounding marine organisms. Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and floods and provide habitat for countless marine organisms. Coral reefs are home to at least 30% of all marine species and 25% of all ocean biodiversity. Coral reefs are in decline due to human activities and climate change.

Marine Protected Area

Marine protected area is a special zone inside the coral reef where humans cannot enter to harm marine wildlife. In some cases, marine protected areas may allow entry by divers and snorkelers. But they do not allow commercial fishing activities, oil drilling, mining, or destructive practices. These ecosystems play a vital role in supporting marine organisms and their habitats. Coral reefs are especially susceptible to damage caused by invasive species and pollution. Marine protected areas serve as buffer zones, preventing the introduction of these harmful species.

Coral Reef Ecosystem Restoration

Restoration of coral reef ecosystems has been practised since the 1980’s. Coral reef restoration works to repair damaged coral reefs by removing non-native predators and competitors, rebuilding native corals, and promoting natural processes. Coral reef restoration projects have been implemented worldwide and in recent years have shown promising results. Restoring coral reefs requires careful monitoring to ensure that the environment remains stable.

What is coral reef made of?

Coral Reef Ecology - Coral reefs are marine organisms formed by colonies of tiny animals called corals, algae and sponges. These organisms live together in symbiotic relationships using each other’s structures to build their homes. Coral reefs provide many benefits to humans including protection from waves and storms, tourism dollars, fish habitat and food supply. Corals are also a critical nursery area for many species of marine life and provide shelter for numerous invertebrates (insects, mollusks, crustaceans) and vertebrates (fish, mammals). Most importantly, they provide the foundation for much of the ocean biodiversity we enjoy today. The composition of coral reefs varies depending on location and climate. There are four major types of coral ecosystems based on their morphology: fringing reefs, patch reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Each type differs slightly in its structure, community makeup and size. Atolls have been observed in places where the depth of water is greater than 500 metres. Fringing reefs are most commonly found along coastlines, while barrier reefs are located offshore and may extend over 100 miles out. Patch reefs are smaller than these three types of reefs, but still contain thousands of individual corals. Coral Reef Structure - Coral reefs are built by a variety of colonial animals including polychaete worms, bryozoans, echinoderms, corallimorpharia, gastropods, sipunculids, octocorals, hydrozoans, ascidians and jellyfish. The number of different creatures that make up coral reefs is staggering! A single colony of coral can house hundreds if not thousands of individuals. In total, there are about 25,000 known species of sessile animals in the world, and half of them live in coral reefs. Coral Reef Animals - Many of the animals that make up a coral reef are filter-feeding. These organisms are able to pass particles larger than themselves through their bodies. One of the most familiar examples of filter feeding in coral reefs is the sea anemone. Sea anemones use tentacles to catch prey and then trap the creature inside their mouths using a stinging disc. Other filter-feeders are comb jellies, barnacles, oysters, tube worms, sea pens, starfish and crabs. Crustacean grazers are also common on coral reefs. Shrimp, lobsters, prawns and krill are among the largest shrimp. Fish – Fish are carnivores who eat other fish and even other types of marine animals such as squid, turtles, squids, sharks and rays. As well as being active predators, some fish are omnivorous; eating both plant and animal material. Some fish are plankton eaters, filtering small pieces of food out of surrounding waters and others consume detritus left behind by larger animals. Reef Plants – Reef plants grow in shallow areas surrounding the reef and create a protective environment for the corals. Their roots help anchor the reef to the substrate. Reef plants also protect the reef from wave action and erosion. Reef plants include seagrass, seaweed, alga, fern, and mangrove. Corals - Corals are composed of many different kinds of animals, including polychaetes, encrusting corals, soft corals, hard corals, sea fans, tube corals and brittle stars.

Causes of coral reef destruction and control of destruction

Coral reefs are amazing ecosystems that have been around since before humans existed. They are home to over 25,000 species of animals including fish, sea turtles, octopuses, sharks, and mollusks, many of which are endemic to coral reefs. Coral Reefs provide habitat for millions of people worldwide, and contribute billions to economies each year. Unfortunately, coral reefs are dying at alarming rates due to pollution and climate change. Many scientists fear that we may lose them entirely within a generation. In some cases, coral reefs have even died off completely after only decades.

There are many ways you can help save coral reefs. A few things you can do include limiting your plastic use. Plastic bags, bottles, and caps make great homes for algae that destroy coral reef environments. Reduce the amount of time you spend swimming in the ocean and consider going snorkelling instead. If you're already in the water, wear sunscreen and limit exposure to harmful chemicals. 

Some more information

1. Reefs

Reefs are colonies of coral polyps surrounded by sand or silt. Coral polyps have flat bodies with tentacles that secrete a calcium carbonate skeleton and form colonies. Reefs may live in shallow water close to shore or deepwater. When corals die they leave behind hard skeletons known as reef rubble. Reefs provide food, shelter and habitat for many kinds of animals. They are home to thousands of species including fish, sponges, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms and worms.

2. Corals

Coral is the name given to the colony of tiny organisms called zooxanthellae that live inside the cells of marine invertebrates (animals without backbones) such as clams, snails and sea anemones. Zooxanthellae give these organisms their bright colours. A reef's colour comes primarily from symbiotic algae living in the coral's tissues. Each alga contains individual photosynthetic pigment molecules that capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy. As each alga grows, its pigments become concentrated. These chemicals then travel down to the host's tissues where they combine with calcium carbonate atoms to produce colourful polyp tissue.

3. Polyp

A polyp (from Greek πολυπτής 'many buds') is the body of a cnidarian; a member of the phylum Cnidaria. The body of the polyp consists of two layers - a simple oral layer and a complex stomach layer. Individual polyps are composed of numerous small tentacle-like structures called tentacles which radiate outwards from the mouth. The tentacles function mainly to sense surrounding conditions and perform feeding behaviour. Polyps are supported by stalks called mesenteries, which connect them together. The polyp's mouth is located at the end of its stalks. The tentacle tips are covered with microscopic hooks ("spines"), which allow the polyp to anchor itself to surfaces in order to feed. In addition, some polyps have been observed to release mucus onto nearby surfaces to create clouds of slime. This helps the polyp to camouflage itself when searching for prey. Many polyps communicate with one another using chemical signals. The simplest means of communication involves releasing a cloud of mucus upon approaching a neighbour. If a second polyp releases a corresponding cloud, contact between the two is made and the first polyp will eventually begin feeding upon the second. This process repeats until the first polyp is full.