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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: 4362
 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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Documents
An examination of the relationship between coral reefs and coastal populations Poverty and Reefs Vol I An examination of the relationship between coral reefs and coastal populations...  
A collection of case studie examining the relationship between coral reefs and coastal populations Poverty and Reefs Vol II A collection of case studie examining the relationship between coral reefs and ...  
A map-based indicator of threats to the world's coral reefs Reefs at Risk A map-based indicator of threats to the world's coral reefs 
A map based analysis of threats to coral reefs Reefs at Risk Southeast Asia A map based analysis of threats to coral reefs 
International Planning and Collaboration Workshop for the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Ocean Galway, Ireland, January 16-17, 2003 Summary: Deep-Sea Corals Workshop; Ireland 2003 International Planning and Collaboration Workshop for the Gulf of Mexico and th...  
Books
Winner of the NSW Premier's Prize for Australian History. 2002-2003 The Great Barrier Reef. History, Science, Heritage. Winner of the NSW Premier's Prize for Australian History. 2002-2003 
Multimedia
Shifting baselines. The truth about ocean decline. "Pristine?" Shifting baselines. The truth about ocean decline. 
ReefBase GIS is an online Geographic Information System, which was developed to display coral reef related data and information on interactive maps in your web browser ReefBase GIS ReefBase GIS is an online Geographic Information System, which was developed to...  
Projects
map based analysis of threats to coral reefs Reefs at Risk Caribbean map based analysis of threats to coral reefs 
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