 |
| Coral Reefs in Florida Keys [26] |
But first, what is a coral reef?
Coral reefs are limestone structures, made by living things, and the most important reef building organisms are the coral. These reefs support about 25% of all known marine species and is consider one of the most complex ecosystem [13].
Corals are often mistaken as a plant or rock, but living corals are actually composed of animals called coral polyps. There are many species of corals, all ranging in a diverse range of colors and shapes!
Where do corals live and what do they require to survive?
Most reefs are located in the warm tropics, ranging from the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Gulf. They grow the best in warm water ranging from 70 to 85 degrees. Clear, clean, shallow water is also necessary for symbiotic zooxanthellae algae to survive. This type of algae lives in the coral and needs the sunlight to photosynthesize food, and in return, it provides oxygen for corals. The best salinity for coral reefs is around 34 and 37 parts per thousand, so coral reefs would not live in fresh water what so ever [13,14]. These reefs grow at different rates, depending on the type of coral as well as the water temperature, salinity and availability of food. The growth rate in a year ranges from 1 to 8 inches.
 |
| Candycane Coral [18] |
Coral reefs are limestone structures, made by living things, and the most important reef building organisms are the coral. These reefs support about 25% of all known marine species and is consider one of the most complex ecosystem [13].
Corals are often mistaken as a plant or rock, but living corals are actually composed of animals called coral polyps. There are many species of corals, all ranging in a diverse range of colors and shapes!
 |
| Elegance coral - Catalaphyllia Jardinae [19] |
Where do corals live and what do they require to survive?
Most reefs are located in the warm tropics, ranging from the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Gulf. They grow the best in warm water ranging from 70 to 85 degrees. Clear, clean, shallow water is also necessary for symbiotic zooxanthellae algae to survive. This type of algae lives in the coral and needs the sunlight to photosynthesize food, and in return, it provides oxygen for corals. The best salinity for coral reefs is around 34 and 37 parts per thousand, so coral reefs would not live in fresh water what so ever [13,14]. These reefs grow at different rates, depending on the type of coral as well as the water temperature, salinity and availability of food. The growth rate in a year ranges from 1 to 8 inches.
Unfortunately, about 19% of the world's reefs are lost, a prediction of 15% are at the threat of being loss in the next 20 years and 20% are under threat for the next 20 to 40 years [13].
Reefs has been a major resource for ~30 million people who are largely dependent on coral reefs for their livelihoods. Due to the over fishing being done, populations of many commercial fish species are now collapsing and creating a local risk for food security [4]. Fishing in depleted marine areas has became a self defeating purpose. Humans are further destroying the source they depend on.
Another factor that affects the status of coral reefs is coral bleaching caused by climate change.
Reefs has been a major resource for ~30 million people who are largely dependent on coral reefs for their livelihoods. Due to the over fishing being done, populations of many commercial fish species are now collapsing and creating a local risk for food security [4]. Fishing in depleted marine areas has became a self defeating purpose. Humans are further destroying the source they depend on.
Another factor that affects the status of coral reefs is coral bleaching caused by climate change.
This continual degradation of reefs would eventually mean the collapse of the fish industry. Companies invested in this business should be interested in conservation to protect their commodity. Consequences of failing to conserve coral reefs are not analogous to failure of conserving pandas or tigers. Not to play down the importance of these charismatic species, but to emphasize the fact that coral reefs are too big to fail.
