Coral reefs are amazing and complex marine ecosystems that play a key role in the health of the oceans.
Coloring Book Coral Reef
Squid in a coral reef
These large squid inhabit all the world's oceans. They swim all over the oceans, but mainly live at the bottom of the oceans, that is, in coral reefs. This is a beautiful place,...
Anemone in the ocean
In the picture we have a lot of anemones, there are many kinds of anemones and each of them can have a different color. Color the picture as you like...
Anemone and Coral
In the picture we see many fish and other sea creatures. There are also corals and anemones. The bottom of the seas is very diverse and covered with a million colors. No...
Fish and corals
I think these fish are curious about something, don't you? I think they paid attention to the corals that are underneath them. There's also a shell in which...
Nemo fish in the coral reef
Do you see who visited you? It's Nemo the fish whose adventures we could watch in the cartoon "Where is Nemo". This fish, just like his...
Coral reef
In the picture we have a foreground guest, it is an octopus that lies on the bottom of the sea and looks at you. The surroundings are all kinds of...
Corals on the bottom of the sea
Here we see a coral reef, it is one of the most beautiful wonders of the natural world. The coral reef, as in the picture,...
Seahorse and Coral Reef
Do you know what the animal in the picture is? It is a seahorse, an extremely beautiful fish and very rare...
Girl and shells in the sand
In the picture we see a girl, she is probably on the beach. She is surrounded by shells and sand and over her...
Large seashells in the sand
Have you ever seen so many different seashells in one place? Each of these shells is the home of a different kind of animal that lives...
Information
- Definition of: Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems made up mainly of corals. Corals are animals that secrete calcium to form hard skeletons that serve as the base of the reef.
- Biodiversity: Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Although they occupy less than 1% of ocean area, they are home to some 25% of all marine species.
- Economic significance: Coral reefs provide habitat for many species of fish, which are the mainstay of local fisheries. Many coastal communities depend on the fisheries and tourism associated with the reefs.
- Threats: Coral reefs are currently facing many threats, including climate warming, overfishing, pollution and physical damage. As a result of these threats, many coral reefs are experiencing bleaching.
- Coral bleaching: This is the process by which corals lose their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and turn white. This can lead to the death of corals if proper conditions are not restored.
- Benefits for people: In addition to providing food and income from tourism, coral reefs also serve a protective function, reducing wave power and protecting coastlines from erosion.
- Disposition: Although coral reefs can be found in oceans around the world, the largest concentration is in the Indo-Pacific. The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is the largest living structure in the world.
- Cultural significance: For many coastal communities, coral reefs have deep cultural and spiritual significance.
- Restoring the reefs: In response to global declines in the health of coral reefs, many organizations and scientists are working on methods to restore and rebuild reefs, such as growing corals in laboratories and transplanting them onto damaged reefs.
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Impact of ocean acidification: Increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide are leading to ocean acidification, which could adversely affect the ability of corals to produce calcareous skeletons. trivia
- Ancient design: Some coral reefs are as old as 500 million years, making them among the oldest living ecosystems on Earth.
- Size from space: The Great Barrier Reef, which stretches along Australia's east coast, is the largest living structure in the world and can be seen from space.
- Pharmacy of the oceans: Coral reefs are sometimes called the "pharmacies of the oceans" because of their potential to deliver new medicines. Already, some corals are being studied for potential cures for cancer, HIV and other diseases.
- Cities under water: Although coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor, they are home to nearly 25% of all marine species, making them among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.
- Corals are not plants: Although they may look like plants or stones, corals are actually animals. They belong to the same family as jellyfish and parasitoids.
- Symbiosis with algae: Corals live in symbiosis with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which provide corals with most of their food through photosynthesis.
- Variable colors: The brilliant colors of coral reefs come from these algae. When corals are stressed, they can release algae, leading to a phenomenon called coral bleaching.
- Barrier builders: Corals form skeletons of calcium carbonate that, over time, fuse together to form huge coral reef structures. These barriers protect coastlines from erosion and reduce the force of waves during storms.
- Temperature sensitivity: Coral reefs are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Just an increase of 1-2 degrees Celsius can lead to massive coral bleaching.
- A threat to humanity: More than 500 million people around the world depend directly on coral reefs for both food and income from tourism or fishing. However, due to human activities such as pollution, overfishing and climate change, coral reefs are under serious threat.
