CORAL REEFS

What are coral reefs?

What are coral reefs?

Introduction

A coral reef is a type of biotic reef that develops in water tropical. Solid structures of the relief of the seabed consist predominantly accumulated development of stony corals, however can also be found in the neurotic due to waves and currents, these areas receive a continuous flow of nutrients, which makes them ideal habitats for a variety of aquatic species. For its strategic location between the coast and the open sea, reefs act as barriers that protect mangroves and sea grass beds from the battering of waves, mangroves and sea grass, in turn, protect the reef sediment and serve as breeding and nursery for many species that are part of the reef ecosystem.

Although corals account for the majority of the infrastructure and the mass of a coral reef, the organisms most responsible for reef growth against the constant harassment of ocean waves are the calcareous algae, species of red algae. Corals do not perform photosynthesis, but live in a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae that conduct photosynthesis (Hatcher & Johannes, 1989).

To ensure the growth of coral reefs requires a water temperature between 20 and 28 ° C. Coral reefs are found in oceans, usually between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, because reef-building corals live in these waters. 

Coral reefs important

The longest reef is the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland in Australia has more than 2,000 km ² and is one of the largest natural constructions in the world. Coral reefs are home to many marine organisms, there are food and protection against predators.

The second largest coral reef is in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef along the coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras in the Caribbean Sea, extending over 700 km from the Yucatan peninsula to the Islands Bay on the north coast of Honduras. Even when measuring one third of what measures the Great Barrier Reef, Great Barrier Reef of Australia, the Mesoamerican Caribbean Reef offers a diversity of beings, including 60 types of coral and 500 species of fish (Barnes & Mann, 1991).

The ecosystem is also the site of two major international conservation initiatives, a well established and another is starting. In 1998, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF for its acronym in English) identified the Mesoamerican Caribbean reef ecosystem as a priority and an eco-region of global importance, so he began a conservation effort long term reef.

Problems

At present, we can enjoy these beautiful ecosystems that are in trouble, unfortunately. They are distributed in ecosystems and are threatened by ...