By: Lauren F

http://web.syr.edu/~tjconena/sjcoralfor400300.JPG

ClassificationPhylum: CnidariaClass: AnthozoaRadically

symmetricSessile animals

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/images/coral.jpg

StructureMade up of hundreds of

thousands polypsConsists of three layers:

1. outer epidermis2. inner layer of cells lining

the gastrovascular cavity, which carries out digestion

3. mesoglea- which lies in between

• Ring of tentacles that surround the mouth which helps capture food

• Tentacles contain stinging cells called nematocysts which further aid in capturing food

• Opens at only one end• Calcium carbonate is secreted to

build a protective home for coral polyps called a calyx

The structure of a coral polyphttp://www.solcomhouse.com/coralreef.htm

Biology Best grow in sunny, shallow clear water- helps coral get sunlight , which is essential in order to carry out photosynthesis

Usually don’t grow deeper than 40m and prefer salt water

Coral polyps have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae

Zooxanthellae- single celled algae carry out photosynthesis in order for the coral polyp to receive nutrients

Coral gives a protective home to the algae, and in return the algae supplies the coral with oxygen and helps it to remove wastes

Zooxanthellae provides coral with organic products such as glucose, glycerol, and amino acids which are essential in producing protein, fats and carbohydrates

Cyanobacteria provide soluble nitrates for coral reefs through nitrogen fixation

Corals feed upon zooplankton

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral3.htm

Zooxanthellae

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral1.htm

Coral Polyps

Biology Cont.Can reproduce sexually

and asexuallyReproductive cells found in

the mesentery membranesInternally fertilized eggs

are gathered inside polyp and become a planula (tiny larva)

Externally fertilized eggs are developed through synchronized spawning; polyps take turn releasing eggs and sperm into the water

Spawning depends on water temperature, time of year, tidal and lunar cycles

http://research.fit.edu/upload/UserFiles/Image/uploaded/VanWoesik1b.JPG

Coral spawning

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/pms/CGC/Spawning.jpg

Cool Facts1. One of the oldest ecosystems on Earth2. Largest living structure on Earth3. Without coral reefs, parts of Florida

would be underwater4. Have been used to treat cancer, HIV,

cardiovascular diseases along with ulcers

5. Provide 375 billion dollars a year in goods and services

6. Their limestone skeletons have been used for human bone grafts

7. Protect coasts from wave erosion 8. 10% of the worlds reefs have been

destroyed9. Over 70% of the coral reefs in the

Philippines have been destroyed 10. Home to 25% of all marine life 11. Coral is found in about 100 countries

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/images/coral_reef_1.jpg

Importance of Coral ReefsHome to many organisms

and species of fishFishery and nursery area-

important economicallyProvides many people with

incomeProvide a protective barrier

from erosion to coastlinesProvide information on

changes in water quality (because Coral Reefs are very sensitive)

Tourist attractionsControl the amount of

carbon dioxide in the water

http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/march30/gifs/reef_fish.jpg

Jewelry made from coral

http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/dietr1rv/zoogems/coral%20blackBeads.JPG

The Destruction of Coral Reefs

Pollution- poorly managed land development Fish Trade- over-fishing

* Use of cyanide to capture fish (80-90% of exported fish from the Philippines are caught with the use of sodium cyanide)

Dynamite Fishing- not only kills fish, but also coral

Coral Bleaching- caused by global warming- the high temperatures kills the zooxanthellae that provide the coral with nutrients

Ocean Acidification- the decrease in the ocean’s surface pH level, increases the amount of CO2 dissolved in the oceans

African and Asia dust outbreaks- the dust that blows into the oceans declines the health of the coral reefs

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/images/dynamite_reef_1.jpg

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/images/bleached_coral_1.jpg

ExamplesThe Great Barrier Reef-

Queensland, Australia; the largest coral reef system

The Belize Barrier Reef- along the coast of Belize down to the Bay Islands of Honduras; second largest coral reef system

The Red Sea Coral Reef- coast of Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Pulley Ridge- Florida; deepest photosynthetic coral reef

The New Caledonia Barrier Reef- length of about 1500km

The Great Barrier Reef is on the northeastern coat of Australia.http://t3.pacific.edu/teams/M043406/reef2.jpg

The Belize Barrier Reef

http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/e/jea4/barrier2.jpg

Types of Coral Reefs Atoll Reef- extends all around a

lagoon without a central island* when an island sinks below the ocean’s surface

Fringing Reef- directly attached to shore

* grow up to the edge of the shore

Barrier Reef- separated from mainland by lagoon

* only grow when there is a change of sea level on the coast adjacent from it

* grow where land is sinking faster in the water

Example of a fringing reefhttp://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/7_image/rffrng.jpg

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral2.htm

Works Sited 1. The Biological Sciences: State

University of New York at Stony Brook

2. Solcomhouse

3. Ocean World

4. Wikipedia

5. Habitat Protection

1. This site provides many great example of the different types of corals and the organisms that live within them

2. This site contains information on the many ways that Coral Reefs are being destroyed and a great breakdown of its structure

3. This site gives the types of coral reefs and provides excellent pictures that help further depict the different types.

4. This site is a great because it covers everything you need to know about coral reefs; biology, structure, example, location etc.

5. This site explains the importance of Coral Reefs to our environment