Name: Tasneem Dawood Student number: 48656186 FI concession Assignment 2

APresentation onCoral Reefs

http://coral.org/coral-reefs-101/

Topics of discussion:What are coral reefs?Where do they occur?Why are they important?What cause coral reefs to become degraded?What impact does climate change have on coral reefs?

http://beautifulnatureblog.blogspot.co.za/2013/07/coral-reef-habitats.html

What are coral reefs?http://coral.org/coral-reefs-101/

http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-photos/what-coral-coral-polyp-and-zooxanthellaeSome corals feed on small sea life like fish and plankton by using the stinging tentacles on the outer edges of their bodies.Most reef-building corals contain photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae live in the polyps tissue.This algae provides food for the coral and the coral gives the Zooxanthellae a home.Light must be able to penetrate the water to the depth of a coral to allow the symbiotic zooxanthellae to photosynthesizesymbiotic zooxanthellae : supply 90% of nutritional needs of stony coralFound on the right is a diagram of where the zooxanthellae is found in a coral.Atlantic corals often reproduce by fragmentation; Pacific corals by sexual reproduction.There are 3 Different types of Coral reefs namely: Fringing ReefBarrier ReefAtoll

Types of coral reefsFringing reef:Fringing reefs develop in shallow waters along the coast of tropical and subtropical islands. Most common type of coral reef.This reef is attached, laying adjacent to the shore of the island or continent

http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/04benthon/crimg/fringingreef.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringing_reef

Formation of fringing reefActual picture of a fringing reef

Barrier Reef:Usually a wide deep lagoon separating the reef from the land mass.The largest type of reefIt grows parallel to the coastline but is separated by a lagoon. The lagoon develops between the fringing reef and landThe largest barrier reef is found in Australia, it is called The great barrier reef. Home of Nemo, If you had watched the movie Finding Nemo you would have seen the beauty of the great barrier reef.

httpblog.games.com20121220finding-nemo-ios-android-preview

http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/04benthon/crimg/barrierreef.jpg

http://www.airwhitsunday.com.au/the-great-barrier-reef-marine-park

Formation of Barrier reef

The Great barrier reef Consists of 400 species of coral, 500 species of fish, 4000 species of mollusc and 6 species of turtle

Atolls:An atoll is a ring shaped coral reef or island.It surrounds a lagoonAn atoll often sits on the rim of an extinct seamount or volcano.

http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/atoll/

http://www.eoearth.org/files/111401_111500/111453/200px-Atoll_formation.jpg

Formation of AtollActual Picture of an Atoll

A few types of corals which can be found in a reef

Staghorn coral

Sea pen

Pillar coral

Brain coral

Leptopsammia

Pictures taken from: www.Wikipedia.com

Where do they occur? 91.9% of the worlds coral reef are found in the indo pacific region(Indian ocean, western pacific)They are found in more than 100 countries.Coral reefs are located in tropical oceans near the equatorThe diagrams below will show you where they are located

http://forces.si.edu/elnino/exhibition_3g1.html

http://www.starfish.ch/reef/ocean.html

World map on where coral reefs are located

Why are they important?

What causes coral reefs to become degraded?Threats Caused by Human activities:Destructive fishing methods such as Blast fishing. Blast fishing is the use of explosives to kill fish for easy collection. This is illegal because it is extremely harmful. Bottom trawling and overfishingRaw sewerage being dumped in oceans bringing an overload of nutrients this causes algae to take over reefs, covering the sunlight which corals needPoisonous chemicals used to capture fish can destroy coral reefs.Polluting waters with toxic chemicals and runoff. Building near oceans or on oceans will cause damage and pollute water that will damage coral reefs. (pic of building on water) Coastal developments will lead to toxic runoff, increase in sediment and changes in water flow patterns.Sediments will block sunlight from reaching zooxanthellae.Boat anchors.Power plants Releasing hot water kills organisms

http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0envl--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&cl=CL1.6&d=HASH01797acc4fb39f923c70e7b9.9

http://www.charterworld.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Abu-Dhabi-building-%E2%80%9CDestination-Village%E2%80%9D-for-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg

http://poopy.org/water-pollution/oceans-a-convenient-dumping-ground/

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues/gulf-oil-spill/

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/conservationists-blast-fishermen-using-dynamite/

http://www.ucsusa.org/our-work/energy/smart-energy-solutions/smart-energy-solutions-decrease-coal-use#.VtRg__l95dgPower plant close to an oceanBuilding on oceanSewage disposal under the oceanAn Oil spillBlast fishing methodExamples of Human activities that will cause coral reefs to become Degraded

Threats Caused by Nature:Unusually strong waves such as those from hurricanes.Overgrowth of nature.Water temperature change, caused by climate change.Dramatic changes in saltiness of water.Predators such as coral eating snails and crown of thorns starfish.(pictures)El Nino brings on warm currents from the western Pacific and leaves low tides. Because of this, it can cause bleaching and death of coral reefs

Corals are easily stressed, stress in coral causes bleaching which eventually leads to the death of corals.Factors that may stress corals. PollutionLack of sunlightChanges in temperature.

Coral bleaching

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/coral-alert-destruction-of-reefs-accelerating-with-half-destroyed-over-past-30-years-8835480.html#gallery

What impact does climate change have on coral reefs?What is climate change? Climate change occur because of global warming. Global warming is when temperatures get abnormally high. The cause of global warming is pollution and deforestation.The effects climate change has on coral reefs: Acidification: The world oceans are becoming acidic at an alarming rate. Ocean acidification is when the ocean absorbs too much of Carbon Dioxide. In deeper waters Acid reduces levels of calcium carbonate, this chemical helps the formation of shellfish and corals.Coral bleaching: corals are sensitive creatures that are easily harmed if conditions are changed. Climate change is a direct cause of the reduction of coral cover through bleaching.Coral disease: rising temperature of ocean water can indirectly kill corals by magnifying the effect of infectious disease. Climate change will cause rising sea levels which will change factors such as winds, currents and tides. Also making waters too deep that will affect the amount of sunlight the corals receive. Increase in water temperatures that will lead to coral bleachingClimatic change will affect the efficiency of ocean circulation and local and regional atmospheric effects. Which will harm the corals.

Effects of climate change on the oceans which will lead to the decrease of coral reefs

http://blog.ucsusa.org/brenda-ekwurzel/hot-topics-for-ipcc-release-surface-temperature-speed-bump-and-the-latest-on-extreme-events-253

Conclusion:Taking care of our marine life is extremely important. Coral reefs provide the world with a complex and diverse habitat that supports many organisms. They also provide coastal protection as they absorb wave energy, many island would not exist today if it were not for coral reefs. They also contribute to the economy because of tourism and fisheries.It cannot be stressed any further on how important these beautiful creatures are to our world.Save the coral reefs and you save the world, It begins with YOU!

Reference of the sites that assisted me:Conserve energy future:http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/top-25-coral-reef-facts.phpNational geographic:http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/coral/Mother nature network: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/5-fascinating-facts-about-coral-reefsCoral reef Informationhttp://www.coral-reef-info.com/where-are-coral-reefs-located.htmlWikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reefNational oceanic and atmospheric administrationhttp://www.coris.noaa.gov/about/what_are/Kids do ecologyhttp://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/coralreef.htmlSoft Schoolshttp://www.softschools.com/facts/biomes/coral_reef_biome_facts/168/Love these picshttp://www.lovethesepics.com/2011/10/beyond-gorgeous-great-barrier-reef-46-pics/

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