Coral Reef The Ocean Floor

2012 costanza et al.

Coral reef the ocean floor. 2014 unfortunately reefs worldwide are threatened by an increasing array of impacts primarily from global climate change unsustainable fishing practices and land based. Some coral reefs are so large they are even visible from outer space. At their base is a hard protective limestone skeleton called a calicle which forms the structure of coral reefs. C overing less than one percent of the ocean floor coral reefs support an estimated 25 percent of all known marine species.

At the ocean floor we have everything that is needed to create the reef tank of your dreams. Scientists estimate that more than one million species of plants and animals are associated with coral reef ecosystems. Fish harvested from coral reefs feed tens of millions of people in developing countries and reef related fishing trade and tourism generates up to 30 billion annually accounting for more than 15 percent of the gdp of 23 nations. This abundance of creatures that are dependent on a specific structure has given coral the nickname the rainforest of the seas.

Coral reefs cover less than 1 percent of the ocean floor all the reefs combined would equal an area of about 110 000 square miles 285 000 square km only about the size of the state of nevada. Coral belongs to the class anthozoa in the animal phylum cnidaria which includes sea anemones and jellyfish unlike sea anemones corals secrete hard carbonate. Coral reefs are amazing habitats. Reef tanks are an attempt to recreate a wild coral reef and providing all the things that corals need to thrive.

A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef building corals reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate most coral reefs are built from stony corals whose polyps cluster in groups. Coral reefs are one of earth s most diverse ecosystems. Reefs begin when a polyp attaches itself to a rock on the sea floor then divides. They provide significant ecological economic and societal benefits valued globally at about usd 9 8 trillion each year de groot et al.

Offering vibrant colors and the greatest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem on the planet. Despite covering less than 1 percent of the ocean floor coral reefs are home to 25 percent of all fish species. Corals in captivity are mostly housed in reef tanks. The national park service has ten parks with coral reefs.