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Begins as polyps - which are tiny, soft animals that are attached to a hard
surface in shallow seas
Calcium carbonate is exuded forming their skeleton and reefs when they die
Small algae live inside them known as zooxanthellae (a symbiotic relationship).
o The algae get shelter and food while the polyp also gets some food via
photosynthesis
Hence sufficient light is needed for their growth (sea has to be shallow and clear)
Tropical reefs grow at rates ranging from less than 2.5 to 60 cm per year
The 2600km Great Barrier Reef is formed over 5 million years
DISTRIBUTION OF CORAL
Controlled by 7 main factors
1. Temperature 23-25C optimal conditions for growth, none below 20C
2. Depth of water mostly in depths of less than 25m, and usually on margins of
continents/islands
3. Light photosynthetic algae needs shallow water for light, in return provides 98%
of food needed
4. Salinity intolerant of water with salinity levels below 32 psu but can withstand
high salinity levels
5. Sediment negative effect as it reduces light and clogs up feeding structures
and cleansing systems
6. Wave action strong wave action provides oxygenated water and stronger
cleansing action
7. Exposure to air mostly found below low tide mark to prevent long air exposure
(coral may die)
TYPES OF CORAL
1. Fringing reefs
Fringe the coast of a landmass and characterised by an outer reef edge
capped by an algal ridge, broad reef flat and sand-floored boat channel close
to the shore
2. Barrier reefs
At greater distances and separated from shore by a wide deep lagoon e.g.
Great Barrier Reef
3. Atoll reefs
Rises from submerged volcanic foundations and support small islands of waveborne detritus. Similar to barrier reefs but confined to the flanks of submerged
oceanic islands.
4. Patch reef
Small circular or irregular reefs that rise from the sea floor of lagoons behind
barrier reefs or within atolls
ORIGIN OF CORALS
Coral reefs are among the most biologically rich and diverse ecosystems, often
described as the rainforests of the sea since:
Both thrives under nutrient-poor conditions (ties up the living matter)
Both supports rich communities through efficient recycling process
Both contains high levels of species diversity
They are also a source of seafood as for instance they contribute about onequarter of the total fish catches in LECDs
The chemicals produced in many of these organisms for self-protection may be a
source of new medicines, possibly treating leukaemia, skin cancer and other
tumours etc.
Coral reefs can be used to yield a host of other economic goods such as corals
and shells for jewellery, corals for aquariums and sand and limestone for
construction industry
They also have recreational value such as for snorkellers, scuba divers and
recreational fishers
They offer coastal protection as they buffer adjacent shorelines from wave action
and storm
SUSTAINING CORAL
Current scientific thought is that coral reefs may become functionally extinct if
carbon dioxide levels rise to above 450 ppm and it could reduce the $100 billion
that coral provides to the economy
To preserve coral reefs, it is vital to reduce greenhouse gases emission
significantly, limit damaging human activities such as overfishing and
sedimentation, introduce local coastal management practices and to designate
more coral reefs as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to act as reservoirs of
biodiversity