Coral Reef

Locations New Caledonia Barrier Reef Length: 932 miles (1,500 km) Location: Pacific Ocean near New Caledonia Zhongsha Islands Length: 50 miles (81 km) Location: South China Sea The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Length: 585 miles (943 km) Location: Atlantic Ocean near Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras

Average Temperature Coral reefs live in areas where the temperature ranges from 77 to 84 Fahrenheit. Because they are sensitive to changes in these conditions, coral reefs are at risk of being damaged or destroyed.

Average Precipitation There's no actual precipitation of a coral reef because the coral dwells underwater so the rain or snow would not be able to reach it. Coral reefs are underwater structures that are made from limestone that is deposited by living organisms known as coral polyps.

Native Plants There seagrass, seagrass meadows play key roles in the lives of many coral reef animals including fishes, invertebrate animals, and visiting marine reptiles and mammals. Green algae are most common in shallow reef areas. These seaweed are often found on rocky reef surfaces as well as sand substrates. Mangrove have the captivity to considerably enhance the abundance and diversity of reef fishes and other types of marine life throughout the coral reef ecosystem.

Native Animals Among vertebrate animals, only a relative few groups contain species that are regularly found within coral reef communities. These are: Fishes Sea Snakes Sea Turtles Dugongs and Manatees Of these, it is only the fishes that are normally present in great numbers or variety. Because of their diversity and importance to ecosystem function we devote an entire page to coral reef fishes elsewhere on our website, and do not discuss them further here.

Plant Adaptation One of the rare terrestrial plants able to tolerate direct immersion in sea water, mangroves have adapted to saline conditions where other "land plants" cannot survive. They accomplish this feat by means of specialized salt filtering roots and salt-excreting leaves.

Animal Adaptation Fish in the coral reef environment have a physical structure that is radically different than that of the surrounding open ocean. Fishes that live in reef habitats have therefore evolved a host of specialized traits well suited to their colorful and complex homes.

Symbiotic Relationship Coral lives a symbiotic life because inside the sac of each coral polyp lives one celled algae called zooxanthellae. The algae gives off oxygen and other nutrients that coral polyp needs to survive and in return the polyp gives the algae carbon dioxide and other substances the algae needs. The is why coral reefs grow so near the surface of the water where is is sunniest the algae needs sunshine for photosynthesis.

Recreational Activity One of the best ways to see the Great Barrier Reef is by joining a small or mid sized cruising ship. With a variety of ships sailing Australia's most picturesque coastline you can share this wonderful voyage. A variety of vessels are on offer including the Santa Maria, Coral Princess and Coral Sea Dreaming - offering journeys from 2 to 7 days in length.

3 Points of Interest Florida Reef Length: 200 miles (322 km) Location: Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico near Florida Red Sea Coral Reef Length: 1,180 miles (1,900 km) Location: Red Sea near Israel, Egypt and Djibouti Great Barrier Reef Length: 1,553 miles (2,500 km) Location: Coral Sea near Australia

Environmental Threats Human impact on coral reefs is significant. Coral reefs are dying around the world. In particular, coral mining, pollution (organic and non-organic), overfishing, blast fishing and the digging of canals and access into islands and bays are serious threats to these ecosystems. Coral reefs also face high dangers from pollution, diseases, destructive fishing practices and warming oceans. In order to find answers for these problems, researchers study the various factors that impact reefs. The list of factors is long, including the ocean's role as a carbon dioxide sink, atmospheric changes, ultraviolet light, ocean acidification, biological virus, impacts of dust storms carrying agents to far flung reefs, pollutants, algal blooms and others. Reefs are threatened well beyond coastal areas.

Endangered Species Green turtle is on the endangered list because this species is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters, but is under threat everywhere from over harvesting of eggs and adults, and from accidental mortality in the nets and long lines of fishing fleets. Mink seal is a other species on the endangered list because in 1976 monk seals were hunted for their pelts.

Importance of Coral Reefs Coral reefs are important for many reasons. Most importantly, they provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish. Without coral reefs, these fish are left homeless with nowhere to live and no where to have their babies. And coral are very important in controlling how much carbon dioxide is in the ocean water. You read earlier about how the coral polyp turns carbon dioxide in the water into a limestone shell. Without coral, the amount of carbon dioxide in the water would rise dramatically and that would affect all living things on Earth. In addition, coral reefs are very important because they protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing down the water before it gets to the shore. That is why they are called barrier reefs. They provide a barrier between the ocean and the shore.