#TREESOFTHESEA
WHAT ARE CORAL REEFS?
Coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea, both due to the vast amount of species they harbour, and to the high productivity they yield. Aside from the hundreds of species of coral, reefs support extraordinary biodiversity and are home to a multitude of different types of fish, invertebrates and sea mammals. Reefs provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding areas for a large variety of organisms.
The total area of the world’s coral reefs amounts to less than one quarter of 1% of the entire marine environment. Yet some estimates put the total diversity of life found in, on, and around all coral reefs at up to 2 million species.
All up, reefs are home to 25% of all marine life, and form the nurseries for about 1/4 of the ocean’s fish including commercially important species that could end up on your dinner plate any night of the week.
Sources:
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/coral_facts/
WHERE ARE CORAL REEFS LOCATED?
Coral reefs are located in tropical oceans near the equator. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The second largest coral reef can be found off the coast of Belize, in Central America. Other reefs are found in Hawaii, the Red Sea, and other areas in tropical oceans.
Sources:
http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/coral/where.htm
HELP ME, HELP YOU
Coral Reefs are beneficial to humans in many ways including:
Habitat| Home to over 2 million diverse aquatic species, including thousands of fish species.
Income| Billions of dollars and millions of jobs in over 100 countries around the world.
Food| For people living near coral reefs, especially on small islands.
Protection| A natural barrier protecting coastal cities, communities and beaches.
Medicine| The potential for treatments for many of the world’s most prevalent and dangerous illnesses and diseases.
Sources:
http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/microsites/biodiscovery/05human-impact/importance-of-coral-reefs.html
1. Coral and Algae Depend on Each Other to Survive
Healthy corals have a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooanxthellae that live in their tissues. These algae provide their host coral with food and give them their beautiful color.
2. If Stressed, Algae Will Leave the Coral
When the symbiotic relationship becomes stressed due to increased ocean temperature or pollution, the algae leaves the coral’s tissue.
3. Coral is Left Bleached and Vulnerable
Without the algae, the coral loses its major source of food, turns white or very pale, and is more susceptible to disease.
4. The Corals Death
Without enough plant cells to provide the coral with the food it needs, the coral soon starves and becomes diseased. Soon afterwards, the tissues of the coral disappear and the exposed skeleton gets covered with algae. The sight of brown algae covering a coral, is a sign of dead coral.
Sources:
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/coral02_zooxanthellae.html
CORALS IN DANGER
Coral Bleaching is a visual sign of the endangerment of a coral reef caused by global warming and pollution. It is the process of the whitening of a coral caused by a rise in water temperatures. Global warming and pollution are the two main factors of the rising water temperatures. It is said that the Ocean has a "Fever" and it is killing off our beautiful underwater landscapes.
HOW CAN YOU HELP SAVE THE CORALS FROM EXTINCTION?
5 EASY STEPS TO HELP PROTECT CORAL REEFS
Want to find a way to make a difference from home? There are many simple and effective ways to help save our coral reefs from endangerment and extinction even when you are thousands of miles from a coral reef.
-
Conserve water: The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans.
-
Help reduce pollution: Walk, bike or ride the bus. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and industry raise lead to ocean warming which causes mass-bleaching of corals and can lead to widespread destruction of reefs.
-
Research what you put on your lawn: Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products flow into the water system, pollute the ocean, and can harm coral reefs and marine life.
-
Plant a tree: Trees reduce runoff into the oceans. You will also contribute to reversing the warming of our planet and the rising temperatures of our oceans.
-
Volunteer for a coral reef cleanup: You don't live near a coral reef? Then do what many people do with their vacation: visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the most diverse ecosystems on the Earth.
One of the most important things that you can do to help our underwater ecosystems which we depend on is to spread awareness. By purchasing the CoralRoots box and spreading your education and excitement towards coral conservation and restoration efforts, you will be making a difference and helping more people learn the importance of coral reefs.
Sources:
CHASING CORAL
A Netflix Documentary on our changing coral reefs
