• +91 7047952198
  • studybudyskolkata@gmail.com

Coral reefs: the incredible beauty of the deep sea

Coral reefs: the incredible beauty of the deep sea

Introduction:    

Sometimes ecosystem is classified into two types – 1.Terrestrial or Land Ecosystem, 2.Aquatic Ecosystem. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse underwater ecosystems in the world, characterized by reef building corals. Reef structures are composed of the skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates called coral. Coral reefs are often called the “rainforest of the sea”, because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by coral. Coral polyps, the animals responsible for building reefs, can take many forms like: large reef building colonies, graceful flowing fans and even small solitary organisms. About 25% of ocean’s fish depend on healthy coral reefs. For food produce and rear their young in the many nooks and crannies formed by corals.

Table of contents:

  1. Origin of coral reefs
  2. Formation of coral reefs
  3. Types of coral reefs
  4. Ideal temperature for coral reefs
  5. Advantages of coral reefs
  6. Threats to coral reefs
  7. How to protect coral reefs
  8. Coral reefs in India
  9. Coral reefs in Andaman and Nicobar Island
  10. Coral reefs in Lakshadweep
  11. Best coral reefs in the world
  12. Impact of global warming on coral reefs
  13. The economic importance of coral reefs

 

  • Origin of coral reefs:

Basically the coral reefs are structured by the colonies of hundreds to thousands of tiny individual coral called polyps, which have hard exoskeletons made of calcium carbonate and are sessile, meaning permanently fixed in one place. Coral reefs are major geological structure built by biological activity. The coral origin has its habitat and other exotic species and marine species, which have short-period lived organisms that live in colonies and flash in shallow mud and free warm water. Lakshadweep islands are the island group in India that is of the coral origin. According to Daly’s “Glacial Control” theory, the fluctuation of sea level during the building up and melting down of glaciers during the Pleistocene Epoch played a major role in allowing the coral to slowly build up structures more. According to Charles Drawin’s “The subsidence hypothesis of coral reef development formulated in 1837 and modified in 1842; coral reefs formed as the islands and surroundings areas of crust subsided has been supported by modern investigations and is no longer disputed, while the cause of the subsidence and uplift of areas of crust has continued to be a subject of discussion.

  • Formation of coral reefs:

Coral reefs are made of thin layers of calcium carbonate. When free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents, the coral reefs began to form. After the living polyps die their skeletons are left and other polyps grow on the top of the hard skeletons which grow higher and higher by pilling up, thus the underwater structures formed coral reefs to coral islands.

  • Types of coral reefs:

According to the style of formation coral reefs are classified in four types. They are – 1.Fringing, 2.Barrier, 3.Atoll, 4.Patch.

  1. Fringing Reefs: The most common type of reef is the fringing reef. This grows seaward directly from the shore. When the coral larvae attach itself to rocks or soil near the coastline around islands and countries the fringing reefs are started to form. But they are separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons. Andaman and Nicobar islands are the example of fringing reefs.
  2. Barrier Reefs: A coral reef roughly parallel to a shore and separated from usually by a lagoon are called barrier reef. At their shallowest points, they can reach the water’s surface forming a “barrier” to navigation. Great Barrier Reef is the example of a barrier reef.
  3. Atoll Reefs: an atoll is a ring shaped coral reef, island or series of islets. Usually located in the middle of the sea, they create protected lagoons. When islands surrounded by fringing reefs sink into the sea or the sea level rises around them, atolls are formed.
  4. Patch Reefs: The small, isolated reefs that grow up from the open bottom of the island platform or continental shelf are called patch reef. They usually occur between fringing reefs and barrier reefs. They are very greatly in size and they rarely reach the surface of the water. Alina Reef is an example of patch reefs.
  • Ideal temperature for coral reefs:

Corals are highly sensitive to even small temperatures changes. They need warm water and lots of sunlight to feed the symbolic algae that lives with them. Changes in temperature patterns can cause bleaching, reduced growth, reproduction problems, and increased vulnerability to diseases and even death of the coral. Reef building corals cannot tolerate water temperatures below 64°F (18°C). Some can tolerate temperatures as high as 104°F (40°C) for short periods. The ideal temperatures for coral to thrive are between 73°F to 84°F (23°C to 29°C). The temperature of the water should not be below 20°C and exceed 35°C. Corals are dependent on zooxanthellae for oxygen. Thus, sufficient sunlight is required to form the coral reefs. Corals cannot thrive in too hot or too cold water.

  • Advantages of coral reefs:
  1. Covering less than one percent of the ocean floor, reefs support an estimated twenty-five percent of all marine life, with over 4000 species of fish alone.
  2. Reefs provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding areas for a large variety of organisms, including sponges, cnidarians, worms, crustaceans (shrimp, spiny lobsters and crabs), mollusks (cephalopods), echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers), sea squirts, sea turtles and sea snakes.
  3. Reef structure play an important role as natural breakwaters, which minimize wave impacts from storms such as cyclones, hurricanes or typhoons.
  4. Many of the compounds now being used in human medicines are found on the coral reef with the potential of more to be discovered. Coral organisms are used in the search for treatments for certain cancers on the aging of cells, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers and leukemia. Other compounds can help with reducing inflammation, kill viruses and relax muscles and also can be used for bone-grafting material.
  5. The beauty of coral reefs makes a powerful attraction for tourism. A well managed tourism provides a sustainable means of earning foreign currency and employment for people around the world and even in remote areas of developing countries.
  • Threats for coral reefs:

Coral reefs face numerous threats. Increased ocean temperatures and changing ocean chemistry, are the greatest threats to coral reef ecosystems. Other than that pollution, over fishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamic or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market, mining coral for building materials and a warming climate are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world. Combined with threats from nature in the form of storms, typhoons and diseases, coral reefs are struggling to survive. Natural stressors are made worse by human disturbances. The presence of disease may be higher in corals stressed by human impacts such as mechanical damage and pollution.

  • How to protect coral reefs:
  • Reducing Pollution: Minimize the use of harmful chemicals, particularly in agriculture and industry, to prevent runoff into the ocean, which can harm coral reefs. People should reduce the usage of items like straws and bags that often end up in the ocean and harm coral reefs.
  • Combating Climate Change: Global warming is crucial as rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching, a process where corals expel the algae living in their tissues, turning them white and making them more susceptible to disease.
  • Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implement regulations to prevent overfishing, destructive fishing methods, and the exploitation of vulnerable species that inhabit coral reefs.
  • Responsible Tourism: Follow responsible environmental practices to avoid touching or anchoring your boat on reef. Contact with the reef damage the delicate coral animals and anchoring can kill corals.
  • Marine Protected Areas: Establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) helps safeguard coral reefs from various threats by limiting human activities such as fishing, diving, and boating.
  • Conservation Initiatives: Support and participate in conservation projects aimed at restoring damaged reefs, monitoring reef health, and raising awareness about the importance of coral reefs.
  • Raise Awareness: Involve local communities in reef conservation efforts, as they often depend on coral reefs for their livelihoods and can play a crucial role in their protection.
  • Research and Education: Conduct scientific research to better understand coral reef ecosystems and educate the public about their importance and the actions needed to preserve them.
  • Coral reefs in India:

Coral reefs are one of the most ancient and dynamic ecosystems in India. India has a greater diversity of scleractinia corals than any other reef in the tropical world. Coral reefs in India are found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Kutch, northwest coast of Gujarat state, Lakshadweep in Arabian Sea southwest of Kerala coast and Gulf of Mannar southeast of Tamil Nadu, Palak Gulf of southeast India. India has exclusive coral atoll with 36 islands, 10 of which are inhabited. The islands range from less than 1 km (0.62 mi) to about 9 km (5.6 mi) in length, and no more than 2 km (1.2 mi) in width. The western part of the Gulf of Khambat has some coral reefs surrounding small inlets. Among the four major reef areas of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the richest and the Gulf of Kutch is the poorest in terms of species diversity. Lakshadweep has more coral species than Gulf of Mannar. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the largest of India and Lakshadweep is the smallest coral island in India.

  • Coral reefs in Andaman and Nicobar Island:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the largest atoll in India. The coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands cover an area of ​​about 2,000 square kilometers, which is about six percent of the total area. The fringed wall on the east side and the barrier walls on the west side make a beautiful sight. The coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a perfect example of underwater metropolises teeming with fish life from the water's surface to the sea floor, from the beach's edge to the deep blue. Diving in the Andaman Deep can be haunting and awesome in equal measure. This is one of the hallmarks of the fringing reef.

  • Coral reefs in Lakshadweep:

The Lakshadweep Islands are made up of coral reefs which are a type of atoll. The Lakshadweep Islands are known as the Coral Islands of India for being mainly composed of many coral polyps. Lakshadweep, the smallest Union Territory of India, is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands covering an area of ​​​​32 sq km. It is a uni-district union territory and consists of 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged shoals and ten inhabited islands. The three main types of coral reefs in Lakshadweep are fringing, barrier and atoll. An atoll reef in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands is home to schools of colorful pennant fish, pyramid and millet seed butterfly fish. The most common type of reef is the fringing reef. Lakshadweep is the smallest atoll in India.

  • Best coral reefs in the World:

The famous ramparts of the plains----

1. Great Barrier Reef, Australia - The Great Barrier Reef is the state's barial reef system, which spans about 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 mi) spanning 2,30 arcs (1,400 mi) of over 2,900 reef segments and 90.

2. Belize Barrier Reef, Belize - This is the 900-km (560 mi) Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, a 300-km (190 mi) long stretch, from Katinkun through the Riviera Maya, northeast of Yutan Island as the richest coral reef ecosystem in the subtropical Australian reef is uprooted. It is home to many species of amphibians, turtles and other aquatic life.

3. Raja Ampat, Indonesia - Home to the country’s richest and most diverse coral reef, Raja Ampat or 'The Four Kings' Reef, is home to 450 different species of coral. It is in the Coral Triangle and contains 75% of all of our identifiable coral species.

4. Red Sea, Egypt - Coral reefs in the Red Sea are known for their remarkable heat tolerance and resilience in the face of rising ocean temperatures, but many reefs are threatened by other factors such as development, overfishing and disease.

5. Great Sea Reef, Fiji - The Great Sea Reef (also known as Kakaulevu Reef) is a coral reef off the northern shore of Vanualevu Island, Fiji, which is home to a diverse marine population and is estimated to support 74% of all coral species, 5% of all reef fish. Species (although this figure is actually predicted to be up to 80%), 40% of all marine flora and 44% of Fiji's endemic reef fish species.

6. Maldives – The Maldives is famous for its coral reefs and for good reason. Home to 187 different species of coral, the archipelago hosts some of the world's most colorful and vibrant formations, attracting divers from all over the world.

7. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines – Tubbataha reefs Natural Park is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; The North Islet serves as a nesting ground for birds and sea turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-metre long reef, extensive lagoon and two coral islands.

  • Impact of global warming on coral reefs:

Global warming poses a serious threat to coral reefs. Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching. Ocean acidification reduces coral growth. Additionally, sea level rise increases reef erosion and sedimentation, disrupting reef ecosystems and biodiversity. Overall, global warming threatens the survival of coral reefs, which are critical for marine life and coastal protection. The effects of global warming on coral reefs are –

  1. Coral bleaching: Rising Ocean temperatures stress corals, causing corals to excrete the algae that live in their tissues, causing coral bleaching and causing corals to lose their color and even die.
  2. Natural Disasters: The effect of global warming also exists on weather. This results in frequent and intense storms, which can physically damage coral reefs and result in the fragmentation and destruction of coral colonies.
  3. Ocean acidification: Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere lead to higher levels of carbonic acid in the oceans, which lowers the pH of ocean water. This makes it difficult for corals to build their calcium carbonate skeletons, inhibiting their growth and resilience.
  4. Increasing sea level: The effect of warming is the increase in temperature which leads to the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, which causes sea level rise. Increased sea level reduces the amount of light reaching corals, which is essential for photosynthesis and growth.
  5. Loss of habitat: Coral reefs provide habitat for numerous marine species. When corals are damaged by global warming, the entire ecosystem that depends on them is damaged, causing loss of biodiversity and disrupting the balance of marine ecosystems.

These impacts collectively threaten the survival of coral reefs and the countless species that depend on them, including humans who rely on reefs for food, coastal protection and tourism income.

  • The economic importance of coral reefs:

Coral reefs are a gift to the environment and people. Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for underwater life, protect coastal areas by reducing the force of waves hitting the shore, and provide an important source of income for millions of people. The economic importance of coral reefs is immense.

1. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Coral reefs are marine ecosystems that support a diverse array of underwater species by supporting nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and coastal stabilization services. These services have economic value even if they are not directly monetized.

2. Fisheries: Coral reefs are very important for commercial and subsistence fishing as they provide habitat and food for many marine organisms including a variety of fish species. Many coastal communities rely on reefs for food and income by fishing.

3. Tourism: The beauty of coral reefs is the main attraction for tourists. Coral reefs attract millions of tourists each year for activities such as snorkeling, diving and recreational fishing. Coral reefs support local economies and livelihoods through tourism, generating billions of dollars worldwide.

4. Biotechnology and Medicine: Coral reefs are vital for the development of new drugs and treatments. Polyps contain compounds that are essential in drug discovery and medical research. Coral reefs play an immense role in the development of medicine for many complex diseases.

5. Coastal protection: Coral reefs act as natural barriers, reducing the impact of waves and storms on coastal communities. This protection helps prevent coastal infrastructure erosion and property damage and saves money.

Conclusion:

Coral reefs are the world's most diverse and valuable underwater ecosystems. This complex ecosystem serves as an important home for a variety of marine life. Coral reefs play an important role in ecosystems as many animals, including fish, marine worms, clams and many other animals and plants, depend on these structures. In addition, the role of coral reefs in fisheries, tourism, medicine preparation and natural disaster control is undeniable, which has direct and indirect effects on the economy. The first coral reefs were formed on Earth about 240 million years ago. However, today the mighty walls are suffering a lot due to the effects of global warming and environmental pollution. So we should try to save coral reefs by combating pollution and warming.

FAQs:

1. Why are coral reefs important to human?

Coral reefs are a source of food, money and medicine. It also protect coastline from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities and give opportunities for recreation.

2. What will happen if all coral reefs are destroyed?

If all coral reefs die, an estimated 1,000 species (about 25 percent of all marine life) that depend on these coral reefs for food, shelter and reproduction will lose their habitat.

3. How long can coral live?

Some corals can live for up to 5000 years, which makes them the longest living animals on the earth.

4. What keeps coral alive?

As coral grow they utilize calcium, carbonates and magnesium to build their biomass for their metabolism to maintain and grow and to keep their vibrant colors.