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 Related Knowledge (126)
 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?
 3 RELATED TOPICS:
 Ecosystem Diversity Ecosystem Diversity
 Ecosystem services Ecosystem services
 Fisheries and Aquaculture Fisheries and Aquaculture
 Topic Overview
 ID# : 12725
 Visits: 35080
 Added: 01-Jan-2000
 Updated: 30-Nov-2011
  E-Mail Topic link
 Editors
 Lauretta Burke
 Jon Maidens
 Frances B. Michaelis
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Coral Reefs Maintained by WRI
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What is a coral reef?
 
CoralsCoral reefs are biogenic structures that are ancient even by geological standards; the oldest species of corals are 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 reefCoral 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. The new book "Reefs at Risk. Revisited" 2010 is now available.   See More...
 
 
 
 
All   (126) News   (38) Events   (3) Websites   (24) Documents   (24) Books   (24) Multimedia   (8) Projects   (3) Institutional Contact   (2)
  24 Documents 
  
An important contribution to the study of biodiversity in the tropical seas. A Systematic Appraisal of Hard Corals (Family Acroporidae) from the G...-East India An important contribution to the study of biodiversity in the tropical seas....  
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...  
This report provides preliminary results on 678 reef sharks counted by freedivers Commnunity monitoring of Reef Sharks from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea This report provides preliminary results on 678 reef sharks counted by freedive...  
A Global Protocol for Assessment and Monitoring of Coral Bleaching Coral Bleaching A Global Protocol for Assessment and Monitoring of Coral Bleaching 
The Coral Triangle Publications Bibliography contains 9171 publication records, from the Philippines and Indonesia east to Papua New Guinea. This area includes 380 nationally and internationally designated marine protected areas. Coral Triangle Publications Bibliography The Coral Triangle Publications Bibliography contains 9171 publication records,...  
The practicalities of planning and evaluating effective Indigenous co-management partnerships within this unique marine protected area. Development of co-operative management arrangements in the Great Barr...nt approach The practicalities of planning and evaluating effective Indigenous co-managemen...  
Fact sheets:Climate Change, Coral bleaching and the Great Barrier Reef Fact sheet: Climate Change, Coral bleaching and the Great Barrier Reef Fact sheets:Climate Change, Coral bleaching and the Great Barrier Reef 
Honolulu Declaration on Ocean Acidification and Coral Reef Management Honolulu Declaration Honolulu Declaration on Ocean Acidification and Coral Reef Management 
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 
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 ...  
US Coast Guard and the Officer Snook Water Pollution Program join forces to educate youth about the environment. Prevent Pollution on Coral Reefs US Coast Guard and the Officer Snook Water Pollution Program join forces to edu...  
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 
Report about the World Resources Institute´s Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean project. This report is a summary of a two-year effort. In addition to the report, all maps, model results, technical notes, and GIS data are available from the Reefs at Risk web site, reffsatrisk.wri.org. Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean Report about the World Resources Institute´s Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean pro...  
A map based analysis of threats to coral reefs Reefs at Risk Southeast Asia A map based analysis of threats to coral reefs 
The report gives an overview of the impact of the Indian Ocean tsunamis on coral reefs from a country perspective Status of Coral Reefs in Tsunami Affected Countries: 2005 The report gives an overview of the impact of the Indian Ocean tsunamis on cora...  
This Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 report is the 5th global report since the GCRMN (Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network), was formed. In English, with French and Spanish summaries. Includes CD-ROM. Also available as 6-page summary brochure with CD-ROM. Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 This Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 report is the 5th global report s...  
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