Coral Reefs Essay Research Paper The most

Coral Reefs Essay, Research Paper

The most beautiful and well engrossed houses in the whole world belong to a

huge variety of tropical fish. These houses are underwater vertebrates that have

caught the attention of many human beings for a spectacular amount of time.

Coral reefs are not only pretty, actually quite beautiful, and they present a great

deal of human interest; but, they also render an enormous amount of shelter for an

abundant number of different fish. Corals, one of the largest vertebrates in the

world, also have a unique way of reproducing.

Corals are small, marine animals that remain in one place throughout their adult

lives and produce a hard skeleton made of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3), or

limestone. The skeletal material, which can be either internal or external, is also

called coral. After the coral animal dies, the skeleton remains. Many species of

corals grow in colonies that continue to enlarge year after year. Other species are

solitary; that is, they live alone. Collectively, several different species of corals

can form enormous colonies that are called coral reefs, coral islands, and coral

atolls (Young CD-ROM).

According to Elizabeth and others, there are basically three kinds of coral reefs:

fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs are reefs that grow in

shallow water near the coast’s shore or are separated from the shore by a narrow

stretch of water. Several zones, characterized by depth, structure, and plant and

animal life make up fringing reefs. These regions are composed of the reef’s crest

(the part of the reef waves break over, the region with medium energy, and the

spur and groove), or buttress zone. This place of coral growth includes rows of

coral with sandy passages between each row. Barrier reefs are separated from

land by a lagoon. They grow parallel to the coast and are large and continuous.

These barrier reefs also contain regions of coral formation that include zones

found in fringing reefs, along with patch reefs, or small reefs, back reefs, or the

shore ward side of the reef, and bank reefs, which appear on the bottom of the

ocean’s irregularities. Atolls, the third type of coral reef, are annular reefs that

develop near or at the surface of the water when islands that are surrounded by

reefs subside. Atolls are circular, or sub-circular and they separate a central

lagoon. Deep sea atolls that rise from deep sea and those found on the continental

shelf are two types of atolls. (http://www.mcgill.pvt.k12.al.us/coral.htm)

One of the greatest colonies of coral reefs in the world is the Great Barrier

Reef. The Great Barrier Reef, the coral formation running for some twelve

hundred and fifty miles off the coast of Northeastern Australia is regarded as one

of the natural wonders of the world. Over the millennium the reef has evolved into

an enormous habitat which supports a spectacular and varied array of marine life.

The tropical waters abound with sea creatures of all types and sizes including

sharks and giant clams. The variety and beauty of the reefs. life make it a popular

tourist attraction (Young CD-ROM).

Many fish also acquire homes in coral reefs. Some examples of these fish

include, the lemon – yellow masked butterfly fish and the royal purple

Pseudochromis fridmani, also known as the orchid dottyback (Doublet 49-50).

Some more examples of these fish and a description of them are as follows:

Brittle stars, Tube worms, Cowries, moray eels, and sting rays. Brittle stars

are a unique and beautiful creature of the coral reef. Their long feathery arms and

small disc shaped bodies are delicate and fragile. Unlike their regular sea star

friends, brittle stars move quite quickly, and will rapidly head for shelter when

exposed to the light. They also have an interesting habit of breaking off parts or

all of their arms at the slightest provocation, hence their name. The mouth is in the

center of the central disc, which leads to a stomach bag. Brittle stars feed by

filtering mud and sand, removing and digesting decaying organic matter in the

process. Tube worms belong to the Sedentaria order of tube-making worms. The

tubes themselves can be used to identify the species of worm as they are so unique

in character. This tube worm has its anterior segments projected into the water,

forming a complex breathing and food catching apparatus. These feathery like

extensions are long gill plumes arranged into distinct spirals, which have often

been likened to flowers (a coral reef covered with tube worms would look like a

spring garden). They are sensitive to the slightest shadow or movement in the

water, and withdraw quickly into their tube, shutting their operculum behind them.

They feed on plankton and suspended sediment from the water. Cowries are

mollusks whose shells are prized amongst shell collectors. Once polished and

lacquer

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