Coral Reefs And Bleaching Phenomenon Essay -- essays research papers

Imagine yourself observing one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. Thousands of species of plants and animals declare oneself a dizzying array of color and motion. Massive structures provide a cover that shelters hundreds of exotic species in a myriad of microclimates. As land-based observers, we almost automatically assume that this is a description of the rich ecosystem of a tropical rainforest. However, if we way out ourselves off the safety of dry land and immerse ourselves in the ocean, we go away find an equally dynamic environment in the depths of our worlds red coral reefs. As a Zoology major, I quickly intractable to explore this biological component of the ocean environment. In the following paper, I will provide a general overview of coral reefs and examine the appal depletion of coral and their ecological symbionts in a process known as coral bleaching.As mentioned earlier, coral reefs are among the most diverse and nut-bearing of all comm social unities on Earth. They are also the largest biological structures on the planet. The vast Barrier lower, along the eastern coast of Australia, covers over 2000 kilometers and is said to be visible from the moon (Goreau, 1987). While the size of coral reefs can be enormous, their real impact is on a much smaller scale. Reefs fail as food and shelter for fish and marine invertebrates. While the coral itself is an animal, through a symbiotic relationship with the unicellular algae, coral becomes the primordial producer in its ocean ecosystem (Richmond 1993). The reefs are formed by atomic number 20 carbonate deposits produced by the coral polyps. According to the legendary Cousteau, in his rule book The Ocean World, tube worms and mollusks also donate their hard skeletons to the architecture of the maturement reef (174). Biologically active compounds are also produced by reef dwelling organisms and posses antimicrobial and antiviral properties (Van Alstyne 1988). In fact, coral produces a inherent sunscreen that is currently marketed and also holds promise in generating chemicals for AIDS and genus Cancer research. In 1995, researchers mimicked the structural components of coral and now use the patented superintendent hard compound to repair shattered human bones (Alderage 1995). yet more, coral reefs are naturally extremely productive fishing grounds. In fact, healthy reefs produce up to 10-100 times more yield per unit a... ...pear, the fate of one of the worlds most diverse ecosystem dust to be seen.BibliographyAlderage, Susan. April 1995. Coral Replacement for Human Bones. Focus Magazine. P45(46)Brown, B.E., Odgen, J.C. 1993. Coral Bleaching. scientific American, 26964-70Cohen, Anne L. Lobel, Phillip S. Oct. 1997. Coral Bleaching on the Johnston Atoll. The Biological Bulletin. V193 n2. P276(4). Coral Color. November 1997. Discover Magazine-Current Clips. P10Cousteau, J. Y. 1985. The Ocean World. blight N. Abrams, Inc., New York, NY, pp. 174-175. Goreau, T homas. August 1987. Coral and Coral Parks. Scientific American. V11334-36Luoma, Jon R. Nov. 1996. Reef fad Audubon. V98 n6. P24(3).Richmond, R. H. 1993. Coral Reefs Present problems and Future Concerns Resulting form Athropogenic Disturbence. American Zoologist. V33 P524-536.Van Alstyne, K. L. and V. J. Paul. 1988. The use of Secondary Metabolites in Marine Ecological Interactions. Proceedings of the 6th transnational Coral Reef Symposium, Australia, Vol. 1. Wilkinson, C. R. 1987. Interocean Differences in Size and Nutrition of Coral Reef Sponge Populations. Science, Vol. 236 P1654-1657.