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| | | Coral Reefs |
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| | What is a coral reef? | | |  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... | | Photo title: Corals | | Photo credit: NOAA | | | | The coral reef ecosystem | | |  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... | | Photo title: Coral reef | | Photo credit: NOAA | | | | Threats to Coral Reefs | | | | 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: global 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.
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| Environmental Groups Call For Increased Protection Of Coral Reefs As World Marks 2008 International Year Of The Reef
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| | As 17 countries and 30 organizations launch the International Year of the Reef today, three major environmental groups – World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International – call on governments, businesses, scientists, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world to vastly increase actions to protect coral reefs. The International Year of the Reef 2008, designated by the International Coral Reef Initiative, is a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and to motivate action to protect them. | |
Read more at http://www.iyor.org/news ... ement.pdf.
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