Atolls are formed out in the middle of the ocean by volcanic subsidence, while fringing and barrier reefs form near continents. Florida contains both of these kinds of reefs, not as far offshore as Australia's Great Barrier Reef, but not terribly close either. Most are eight to eleven kilometers (five to seven miles) offshore. All three kinds of reefs can have associations, called patch reefs, which are small, shallow-water clusters or offshoots. In Florida, patch reefs can be as close as one hundred meters to the shore. Ancient limestone reefs have occupied the Florida peninsula intermittently over the past 150 million years (Discover, 1997). Florida's present coral reefs came into existence 5,000 to 7,000 years ago, when sea levels rose following the Wisconsin Ice Age. The reefs in the Florida Keys are part of the third largest barrier reef system (360 square kilometers from Miami to the Dry Tortugas).
Coral reefs are continuously being both built up and decomposed, so different parts of a reef are in varying stages of succession. Coral reefs are very fragile, because reef-building organisms cannot thrive if the surrounding water changes significantly. Coral reefs require very specific conditions in order to grow: a solid structure for the base; warm and consistent water temperatures (averaging between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius); stable salinity; moderate wave action; and clear water that is low in nutrients and plankton. The water on a healthy coral reef is clear because there are very few nutrients, so plankton that would cloud the water are few. In general corals grow slowly, but they are extremely efficient at living and reproducing in these conditions.
Reefs matter in many ways:.
• Links to other coastal ecosystems: such as mangroves and sea grasses. .
• Living breakwaters: Reefs protect coastal areas from storms, floods, and erosion. They are the key to many a surfer's "perfect wave," and contribute sand to the growth of beaches.
Coral Reef Coral Reefs are the one of the most diverse and beautiful underwater communities. ... So what are coral reefs? ... The third type of coral reefs are atolls. ... A variety of animals live in coral reefs. ... Corals and coral reefs are extremely sensitive. ...
Coral reefs are arguably the world s most beautiful habitats. ... There are three types of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. ... There are many more factors which add to the destruction of the coral reefs, which if not stopped it will destroy all coral reefs. ... Died corals lead further on to the death of the reef. ... There have been many studies on how long the coral reefs will last, and they all agree that within fifty years, coral reefs existence will be cut in half . ...
Coral reefs are arguably the world's most beautiful habitats. ... There are three types of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. ... There are many more factors which add to the destruction of the coral reefs, which if not stopped it will destroy all coral reefs. ... Died corals lead further on to the death of the reef. ... aving the Coral Reefs" Futurists....
Coral reefs are arguably the world's most beautiful habitats. ... There are three types of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. ... There are many more factors which add to the destruction of the coral reefs, which if not stopped it will destroy all coral reefs. ... Dead corals lead further on to the death of the reef. ... One of the biggest threats to coral reefs is tourists. ...
Coral reefs even help reduce global warming by taking carbon dioxide out of the air. Coral reefs provide a house for many species. ... There is evidence that suggests coral reefs could potentially provide important medicines, including anti-cancer drugs and a compound that blocks out UV rays. ... Organisms in coral reefs could possibly, make a cure for cancer! ... The author's purpose of this article was to explain the uses that coral reefs provide us, and why we should help protect them for years to come. ...
Coral reefs are living organisms that live and thrive in our world's oceans. ... Coral reefs are more than just another creature in the ocean. ... When boaters come too close to shore where coral reef systems exist, the propeller can strike the corals and break through them. ... Another reason why coral reefs are dying is due to coral bleaching. ... Coral reef systems are the "rain forest" of the ocean. ...
These reefs provide a house for many species. If the coral reefs were to become extinct than future generations would not have the benefits that theses animals have to offer, such as possible medicines, pest control, and carbon dioxide control. ... Right now we are doing restructuring procedures and learning that bone tissue and blood vessels spread into the coral graft and eventually bone replaces most of the coral implant. ... There is evidence that suggests coral reefs could potentially provide important medicines, including anti-cancer drugs and a compound that blocks out UV rays. ... In c...
This is a paper about Coral reefs and remote sensing. First, I will give some background information on coral reefs. ... Coral reef color essentially refers to digital remote sensing of coral reefs. ... Coral reefs are some of the oldest ecosystems on earth. ... These corals provide the reef foundations that is home to millions of reef species. ...
Coral reefs are arguably the world's most beautiful habitats. ... (Encarta, 2002) The richest regions of the world's coral reefs are the South-East Asian seas and Indian Ocean; both combined account for over half of the world's coral reefs with the coral reefs in South-East Asia constitute 30% of the world's coral reefs (Lin,S.H, 2000). Coral reefs are generally classified into three types: barrier reefs, fringing reefs, and atolls. ... Hence, the coral reefs need to generate new cells for reef-building. ... Therefore effective reef management is crucial to conserving t...
