What effect do coral reefs have on the oceans?
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| A Healthy Coral Reef |
- Coral reefs are almost as species rich and species diverse as a tropical rainforest. They provide the habitat for countless species of plants (algae), invertebrates, and fish and support an extensive food web. Coral reefs (especially barrier reefs) also act as shoreline protectors by absorbing energy from the ocean.
How can bleached coral reefs become unbleached?
- Once the coral polyps have died from bleaching there is no way to bring them back. However, the entire coral boulder/head may not be affected and parts that are not affected can recover. A new generation of coral can settle and build on the bleached area as long as the habitat is healthy.
What are some ways to prevent bleaching and destruction of coral reefs?
- Understanding bleaching is still not 100%. When coral becomes "bleached" it is spitting out the zooxanthellae algae that it lives symbiotically with and as a result loses its color. There are several potential causes for this including increased temperature and chemical pollution. To prevent bleaching we need to better understand the causes then try to reduce/eliminate the causes.
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| A Dead Coral Reef |
In what way are coral reefs one of the most productive ecosystems?
- There is a lot of energy at the base of the ocean food chain. The algae photosynthesizes and produces both oxygen and glucose making the ocean a very productive system.
