Corals and Coral Reefs: Important Information

Corals and Coral Reefs: Important Information

Corals & Coral Reefs Information

Coral Biology

We know that over 70% of this planet is made up of water, from lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. Reef systems actually only cover around 2% of this vast water expand and are still visible from space. For such a small footing they play a very important role to life on earth. They play a very important role in the fixation of Carbon and Carbon Dioxide and produces Oxygen as a byproduct. In fact Corals within the reef system produces more oxygen than the tropical rain forests.

Corals are in fact ancient animals whose fossil records date back as far as 520 million years, these Cambrian period fossils are rare records; more are recorded from the Ordovician period dating back some 100 million years. Corals are made up of colonies of genetically identical polyps. A polyp is a simple sac like animal related to Jelly fish and Anemones. They are part of the Phylum Cnidaria. These polyps and corals eat in 2 main categories Soft and Hard Corals. Each individual is a few millimeter in diameter and a few centimeters in length. They are made of a simple stomach, mouth and have a set of tentacles that surround the mouth which contain stinging cells called Nematocysts.

Soft Corals come in many forms, from sea fans, sea whips and branching tree-like structures.  They have no hard skeleton, instead they have tissues toughened by the presence of tiny skeletal elements known as sclerites; this too is made from calcium carbonate.  Most soft coral species are connected by a network of cells called Coenosarc, this is a thick network and allows the polyps to be deeply embedded for protection.  For tree and whip like soft corals they have a central axial skeleton embedded in the tissue matrix composed of either fibrous protein called Gorgonin or of a calcified material.

Hard corals also known as stony corals produce a calcium carbonate skeleton which is deposited by the polyps to strengthen and protect the colony.  All the polyps are connected by a network of living tissue called the Coenosarc.  There are a wide variety of shapes and structure that hard corals come in from encrusting, plate like, bushy, columnar or massive solid structure.  Each of the various forms can be found on the reef system in various zones, this is linked to the variation of light and water movement.

Both soft and hard corals are connected by a well developed gastro vascular canal system.  This allows for significant sharing of nutrients and symbionts.  Polyps feed on a variety of different small organisms from small fish to microscopic zooplankton found in the water column.  Each polyp uses its stinging tentacles to capture prey, the tentacles release the nematocysts which carry venom, they rapidly release this venom in response to contact with another organism.  The tentacles will then move the immobilized prey to the mouth which contracts pushing the prey into the stomach, where it is digested and later released what is not used as waste.

Ecology of coral reefs

With it numerous crevices and crannies, a coral reef is a home and feeding ground for countless numbers of fascinating marine life-forms. No ecosystem on Earth plays host to the diversity of inhabitants as found in and around a coral reef. Except for mammals and insects, almost every major group of animals is represented.

The extent of the damage done to the world’s coral reefs was first made clear by a report issued at the end of the year 2000. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, an international environmental monitoring organization, issued the report with data gathered from scientists around the globe. According to the report, the world has lost 27 percent of its coral reefs.  Today this is believed to be over 35%.  Some of those reefs can never be recovered, while some could possibly come back.  The report pointed out that global warming was the biggest threat facing coral reefs, followed by water pollution, sediment from coastal development, and destructive fishing techniques (such as using dynamite and cyanide). If nothing is done to stop the destruction caused by humans, 60 percent of the world’s coral reefs will disappear by 2030.

Coral reefs also benefit humans by protecting shorelines from the full onslaught of storm-driven waves. Humans, however, are responsible for causing severe damage to coral reefs. Reefs are often destroyed by collectors, who use coral to create jewelry, and fisherman, who use poison or dynamite to catch fish. Because corals need sunlight and sediment-free water to survive, water pollution poses a grave danger. Oil spills, the dumping of sewage wastes, and the runoff of soil and agricultural chemicals such as pesticides all threaten the delicately balanced ecosystem of coral reefs.

The Importance of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are beautiful undersea cities, filled with colorful fish, intricate formations and wondrous sea creatures. The importance of coral reefs, however, extends far beyond the pleasure it brings to those who explore it. Coral reefs play an essential role in everything from water filtration and fish reproduction to shore line protection and erosion prevention.

Share this post

Raja Ampat Biodiversity Eco Resort is a place to connect with nature in one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations in the world!

Apart from the marine life that you can enjoy diving or snorkeling , Raja Ampat offers many other activities that will allow you to explore this spectacular part of the planet; kayaks, cultural visits to the villages, excursions in the jungle, visits to the small islands, enjoy the fauna and birds of the area (many of them endemic) …

In this blog we will share some of our adventures with you.

Underwater
Related articles