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 Related Knowledge (29)
 8 SUB-TOPICS:
 Affiliated Ecosystems Affiliated Ecosystems
 Biodiversity and Coral Reefs Biodiversity and Coral Reefs
 Mapping and Monitoring Mapping and Monitoring
 The Biology of Coral Reefs The Biology of Coral Reefs
 The Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef
 The Value of Coral Reefs The Value of Coral Reefs
 Threats to Coral Reefs Threats to Coral Reefs
 What are Coral Reef Structures? What are Coral Reef Structures?
 Topic Overview
 ID# : 12725
 Visits: 4340
 Added: 01-Jan-2000
 Updated: 12-Feb-2004
 URL: http://www.oceansatlas.org/id/12725
 Editors
 Jon Maidens
 Lauretta Burke
 
 
 
 
Coral Reefs Maintained by WRI
        
Coral reefs are biogenic structures that are ancient even by geological standards; the oldest species of corals is over 450 million years old. The spectacular longevity of corals is a testament to the adaptability of the coral animal, as it has survived gradual but radical climatic and geologic changes during their long tenure on earth. The reef structure itself is the product of biologically mediated calcium carbonate production of the small, individual coral polyp. Text courtesy of IOC   See More...
 
Coral reefs flourish in shallow, tropical waters that are clear and nutrient poor (oligotrophic). "Occurring almost exclusively between 30 deg N and 30 deg S, they are concentrated in four large tracts: the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean, the south Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean " (Coral World, National Geographic, 2000). Despite the oligotrophic waters, coral reefs create a highly productive, and very efficient, ecosystem. From the photosynthetic algae that live symbiotically within the coral polyps, to the sharks that hunt fish along the reefs, coral reefs support an extremely biodiverse community of marine life. Text courtesy of IOC   See More...
 
Although coral reefs have survived in the earth's oceans for over 450 million years, they remain highly sensitive to rapid climatic changes and anthropogenic pressures. Presently, the biggest threats to coral health are: gobal warming, and corresponding sea level and sea temperature rise (which can result in coral bleaching), sedimentation and pollution, overfishing and unsustainable and destructive extraction techniques. Furthermore, coral reefs are very valuable not only ecologically, but to the human population as well. Text courtesy of IOC. Coral photos courtesy of NOAA.   See More...
 
 
 
 
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News
Websites
NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. The NOS and its partners carry out numerous activities related to coral reefs. NOS's Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) coordinates collaborative planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting for NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. ORR is creating spill response guides and environmental sensitivity index maps for coral ecosystems. Coral Reef Activities NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. The NOS and its partners carry out num...  
Information on the protection and study of coral reefs Coral Reef Alliance Information on the protection and study of coral reefs 
NOAA/National Ocean Service Coral Reef Conservation home page Coral Reef Conservation NOAA/National Ocean Service Coral Reef Conservation home page 
National Geographic feature Great Barrier Reef National Geographic feature 
A strategic alliance for the management needs of the world's coral reefs International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) A strategic alliance for the management needs of the world's coral reefs...  
communications and information project of ICRAN International Coral Reef Information Network (ICRIN) communications and information project of ICRAN 
an informal network of governments and international agencies working with scientific and conservation institutions International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) an informal network of governments and international agencies working with scie...  
A comprehensive database of abandoned vessels that could threaten coral ecosystems in U.S. waters. NOAA Abandoned Vessel Project A comprehensive database of abandoned vessels that could threaten coral ecosyst...  
Using coral cores to understand past climate data NOAA Coral Paleoclimatology Using coral cores to understand past climate data 
Glossary of Coral Reef Terminology NOAA Reef Glossary Glossary of Coral Reef Terminology 
A single point of access to NOAA coral reef information and data products NOAA’s Comprehensive Web Site on Coral Reefs A single point of access to NOAA coral reef information and data products...  
Organization dedicated to the protection of coral reefs and its marine life ReefKeeper International Organization dedicated to the protection of coral reefs and its marine life...  
Map based analysis of threats to coral reefs Reefs at Risk Map based analysis of threats to coral reefs 
Documents
Alien algae form massive blooms on Hawaii's coral reefs Alien Marine Algae in the Hawaiian Islands Alien algae form massive blooms on Hawaii's coral reefs 
There is growing realization that deep-water coral reef environments are habitat to a rich collection of flora and fauna that may form an integrated community providing habitats for both vertebrate and invertebrate growth and reproduction. Consequently, Canada’s Deep-Water Corals There is growing realization that deep-water coral reef environments are habita...  
Deep-Sea Corals Briefing NOAA NURP Deep-Sea Corals Briefing Deep-Sea Corals Briefing 
State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and the Pacific Freely Associated States NOAA Report: State of US Coral Reef Ecosystems, 2002 State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and the Pacific Freely Asso...  
NOAA’S DEEP-SEA CORALS RESEARCH NOAA’S DEEP-SEA CORALS RESEARCH NOAA’S DEEP-SEA CORALS RESEARCH 
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1076 Topics - 5135 Related Knowledge - 2534 Members - 34 Editors
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