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The Undersea Environment of Coral Reefs

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The Undersea Environment of Coral Reefs

Presentation Overview

Coral reefs are like undersea cities.

Each coral within a reef is similar to an apartment complex in a neighborhood with many tenants

A coral is actually a home for billions of tiny soft-bodied animals called coral polyps.

These polyps reside within a cup-like calcium carbonate skeleton. They have a central opening surrounded by tentacles which can be extended to feed on phytoplankton in the water column.

There are two different types of corals

Corals are located in threeprimary locations

They survive in unique conditions that require...

Corals obtain food via...

Reefs play important roles in the coastal and ocean environment

Reefs also clean the surrounding water through sponges that have filtering systems similar to water treatment plants

Many natural and human-induced factors can harm reefs

Many inhabitants, such as angelfish and parrotfish, utilize the reef as a source of food and shelter. But too much feeding causes bioerosion of the reef.

Global warming causes increases in water temperature which can cause harm to the coral reef environment in the form of coral bleaching.

Diseases such as blackband and whiteband disease are caused by excessive warming of waters

We need to protect our reefs not only for their intrinsic value, but for the economic and recreational resources they provide.