First Post.

So what exactly are coral reefs?

Dictionary definitions differ from book to book. So do textbooks. How exactly can a noun be that hard to define?

Maybe it's because we still don't know much about the ocean. It is commonly said that scientists today know more about the moon then they know about the deep blue sea.

Technically, and scientifically-wise, coral reefs are "massive deposits of calcium carbonate by colonial stony corals and other organisms".

But whenever I hear the term "coral reefs" I don't really regard that definition at all.

"There is something special about coral reefs. The warm, clear water, spectacular colors, and multitude of living things captivate almost everyone who sees a reef. Coral reefs rival that other great tropical community, the rain forest, in their beauty, richness, and complexity. Tropical rain forests and coral reefs are also similar in that basic physical structure of both communities is produced by organisms. Both reef-building corals and the giant trees of a rain forest create a three-dimensional framework that is home to an incredible assortment of organisms. Coral reefs are such massive structures, in fact, that they must be considered not only biological communities but geological structures, the largest geological features built by organisms."

-an excerpt from the book, Marine Biology (4th edition) by Dr. Peter Castro and Dr. Michael E. Huber (Ch 14)

Coral reefs cover less than 0.2% of the ocean floor. Thats a very small number. Yet, they can support so much biodiversity and life (I think the number is over 25% of ocean species).
What's also astounding about them is that the water they live in is very nutrient-poor. Well, corals (which are classified as cnidarians), even with their extreme sensitivity, they are amazingly adaptable animals. They have many ways to feed themselves and can reproduce in many ways. The fact that coral reefs are endangered is very unnerving because it shows that even these extremely adaptable animals can't handle the stress on their environments (so it must be very drastic).

However, like all marine ecosystems, they do need specific conditions to thrive in like certain temperatures, turbidity levels, salinity levels, and pH levels.

An interview with Mr. Early about the biology of coral reefs:

posted by Sage @ 8/25/2008 04:10:00 PM Comments: 0