The Coral Reef 🐠
What is a coral reef?
A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral. Often called "rainforests of the sea", shallow coral reefs form some of Earth's most diverse ecosystems. They occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean area, about half the area of France, yet they provide a home for at least 25% of all marine species. Coral reefs are fragile, partly because they are sensitive to water conditions. They are under threat from excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), and rising temperatures.
What is happening?
Coral reefs have faced many threats, including disease, predation, and invasive species. Greenhouse gasses emissions present a broader threat through sea temperature rise and sea level rise, though corals adapt their calcifying fluids to changes in seawater pH and carbonate levels and are not directly threatened by ocean. Corals respond to stress by "bleaching”. However, reefs that experience a severe bleaching event become resistant to future heat-induced bleaching, due to directional selection Similar rapid adaption may protect coral reefs from global warming
How can we help?
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designated areas that provide various kinds of protection to ocean and/or estuarine areas. They are intended to promote responsible fishery management and habitat protection. Research in Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea found no significant difference between an MPA site and an unprotected site. Efforts to expand the size and number of coral reefs generally involve supplying substrate to allow more corals to find a home. Substrate materials include discarded vehicle tires, scuttled ships, subway cars and formed concrete.