Reef aquarium

Coral reefs provide nearly $30 billion each year in net benefits in goods and services to world economies, including, tourism, fisheries and coastal protection, but that number could diminish greatly very soon (Cesar et al. 2003). In fact, 30% of coral reefs are at risk of being lost in about the next thirty years. Millions depend on coral reefs for nutrition and income, and if the coral reefs suffer, it is very likely that people who rely on coral reef ecosystems will suffer as well.…

they to survey the coral reefs around them, something catches their eye. The coral has turned white, and no longer moves with life. This whiteness seems to have spread over a big area of the reef. One can no longer see the colorful branches swaying in the current, or the schools of tropical fish swimming through. It’s a vast, white, death-like reef. This phenomenon is known as coral reef bleaching. This makes corals unattractive and a breath away from death. Coral reef bleaching happens when…

world’s coral reefs and the part that humans are playing within that destruction and the rebuilding of the reefs. The documentary mainly follows an English artist/sculptor call Jason Taylor and his work within the community of Cancun, Mexico to help rebuilt a coral reef there through the use of statues to create an artificial reef which benefits the local ecosystem greatly. The documentary has a particularly poignant message for the role people are playing in relation to the reefs which has both…

sea temperature, organic matter, and nutrients are all increasing and altering each ecosystem (McClanahan et al 2002). Coral reefs are one of the main ecosystems of concern due to their ecological and economical importance. Coral reefs are undergoing "phase shifts to alternate, degraded assemblages" (Hughes et al 2007). It is suggested that reefs like the Great Barrier Reef are shifting towards an algal turf dominated ecological state (Bellwood and Fulton 2008; McClanahan et al 2002) rather than…

The ocean covers around 70% of the world, contains hundreds of thousands of life forms, and many that have yet to be discovered. Although, we can learn a lot in the classroom environment, there is no better way to understand the marine environment than to physically explore it. The field trip to Virginia Key Beach Park was a great experience. The park is located minutes from downtown Miami and just off the Rickenbacker Causeway. Me being from Texas I had to do some research for the history of…

Although bleaching and other impacts of climate change can make a coral reef vulnerable and damaged, not all hope is lost. Most coral reef ecosystems can recover over time, some taking as little as 20 years and others taking more than 100 years. This does not mean that we should turn our heads on coral reefs and the damage we inflict on them, simply because they will “recover”. This recovery can only work if humans take great care in preserving them. This can be done by assisting the coral with…

Business Insider tells “there are 228,450 known species in the ocean — and as many as 2 million more that remain a total mystery” (Reuters).The World Book Encyclopedia states Marine Biology is “is the study of organisms that live in the sea.”(Garrison). Marine biologist pay attention to detail, and it is their main purpose to become more knowledgeable about a species and their habitats. It can range from different jobs such as simply observing, to things more complicated like discovering a new…

Intro: Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. They are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients and deliver ecosystem services to tourism, fisheries, and shoreline protection. Diadema species are common throughout their range and may be found on reef, sand, and rubble, and sometimes in large aggregations. There are several distinct genotypes of Diadema and this paper will talk…

Coral Reefs A coral (disambiguation) reef is a community of living organisms. It is made up of plants, fish, and plenty other creatures. When I think of coral reefs I think of neon colors, and beautiful colorful dancing plants of the sea. Coral reefs are a submerged structure made up of many different corals, or small marine invertebrates. Coral reefs are some of the diverse ecosystems in the world. Twenty-five percent of all marine life is actually home to it. Coral reefs have said to be the…

Coral reefs are among the most beautiful and important ecosystems on Earth. They cover over 280,000 square kilometers and support over eight hundred species of coral and four thousand species of fish. They are often referred to as the “rainforests of the seas”. Coral reefs are crucial to the ocean and humans as they provide a barrier to coasts from waves and storms. They are also spawning grounds for many species of aquatic life and provide humans with medicine and food. The estimated yearly…