CORAL REEFS ← Coral reefs are living things made of coral polyps. Coral reefs are large strips of wave-resistant coral rocks built up by carbonate organisms lying close to the surface of the sea and even sometimes rising above the sea level. In the Caribbean‚ there are generally three types of coral reefs: ← Barrier reefs are to be found parallel to the coast and are usually separated by a shallow but wide area of water called a lagoon. Belize has one of the second largest barrier
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Coral Reefs Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. “ Coral reefs cover an area of less than a quarter of one percent of all the earth ’s marine environment‚ yet they are one of the world ’s most diverse habitats‚ supporting one third of all fish species‚ and have been growing in the world ’s oceans for 450 million years”(Taylor). Although the coral reef ecosystems are such a small part of our planet they provide millions of jobs‚ food‚ and perhaps most importantly
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Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth. They are made up not only of hard and soft corals‚ but also sponges‚ crustaceans‚ mollusks‚ fish‚ sea turtles‚ sharks‚ dolphins and much more. Reef systems serve as barriers protecting many coastal populations and developments from storm damage; they support commercial fisheries; they serve as major tourist attractions; and they hold the possibility of unimagined medicinal compounds in the diverse life forms within them There
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Topic: “Describe the way in which coral reefs have contributed to social and cultural life in the Caribbean.” Corals are marine animals which usually live in compact colonies of many identical polyps. Corals secrete calcium carbonate which forms reefs. Such reefs and are located near the Equator in tropical and subtropical waters. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef located off the coast of Queensland‚ Australia. Coral reefs are often referred to as the “rainforests of the ocean”
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decreased drastically. Coral reefs are home to more species than all other marine environments‚ and many other species rely on the coral reefs for their own survival. Today coral reefs face multiple threats such as pollution‚ unsuitable fishing practices‚ global climate change‚ and other human activities. If humans don’t take action to conserve and improve the conditions of the oceans the coral reefs will suffer. There are many factors that contribute to the death of coral reefs. One of the major factors
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Coral reefs are the home to more species than any other marine ecosystem‚ making them some of the most treasured and diverse ecosystems on the planet. They provide revenue for local communities by forming nurseries for fish‚ provide a destination for diving tours and fishing trips‚ break the power of waves to create a buffer that prevents erosion‚ property damage‚ and inundation‚ and protect the wetlands that line the coast‚ as well as ports and harbors. Many medicines are also now being developed
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Anthropology 1 M&W Coral Reef Destruction They can be found in all three of the Earth’s oceans‚ scattered throughout 109 countries. Ancient natural masterpieces formed by a variety of delicate lime secreting coral polyps. The oldest discovered reef was formed over 500 million years ago‚ which makes it one of the oldest ecosystems to exist. Little is known about the lifespan of coral colonies but they have been known to last from a few decades to
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Endangerment of Coral Reefs Bernardshan (Ben) Mohan 210168680 SC/NATs 1840 Science‚ Technology and the Environment Ron Chopowick Rosalyne November 25‚ 2009 Coral reefs are considered to be the rainforest of the oceans and arguably the most beautiful habitat in the world. Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems where many species such as fish‚ marine plants‚ sponges‚ algae thrive on. As the text‚ Living in the Environment describes it: coral reefs “are among the world’s oldest‚ most diverse
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Coral reefs are communities to the sea and home to many living creatures and different types of organisms‚ as well as about one-fourth of the oceans population. Coral reefs are made up of animals called polyps that will remain in one place‚ acting as the main structure of the reef itself‚ these animals have a hard almost skeleton like structure. Scientists who study coral reefs have categorized them into three different types of reefs; Barrier reefs‚ Atolls‚ and Fringing reefs. Coral reefs are put
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value of Coral Reefs to Caribbean society and culture. Coral Reefs are the home of more than one quarter of all known marine fish species and tens of thousands of other species. The Caribbean coral reefs are vital and valuable natural resources that contain a wealth of biodiversity including over 60 species of coral and 1‚500 different species of fish – many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Coral reefs provide both a good and a service to many Caribbean islands. These coral reefs are crucial
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