Coral reefs

• Coral is actually the limestone skeleton of a tiny spineless animals called a coral polyp.
• Coral reefs are warm, clear, shallow ocean habitats that are rich in life created by millions of tiny polyps.
• }The reefs massive structure is formed from coral polyps which live in colonies; when coral reefs die they leave behind a hard, stony, branching structure.
• }Coral reefs are the largest living structure on the planet, and the only living structure to be visible from space.
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• }The coral provides shelter for many animals, including sponges, fish(clown fish, snapper, parrot fish), jellyfish, anemones, sea stars, crustaceans, turtles, sea snakes, birds also feast on coral reef animals
• }Picture of Coral Polyp
• }Types of Coral Reefs
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• }There are two types of Coral Reefs. Hard coral and soft coral.
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• }Hard coral (like brain coral and elkhorn coral) have hard, limestone skeletons which form the basis of coral reefs.
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• }Soft Coral (like sea fingers and sea whips) do not build reefs.
• }Conditions for Growth
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• }Temperatures varying between 20- 27°C.
• }Clean water: absence of major rivers that bring silt and fresh water down to the sea. Excessive silt reduces light, thereby inhibiting photosynthesis by the symbiotic algae which are found in coral tissues. Silt may also block the mouths of corals, preventing feeding. 
• }Light: Reef-building corals need light to support the symbiotic algae that they contain, so they cannot develop in deep water below the zone in which sufficient light is available to support photosynthesis. 
• }Depth: water depths of less than 70m. It is for this reason that coral reefs are only found adjacent to landmasses or on the summits of undersea mountains. 
• }Where are Coral Reefs located?
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• }There are coral reefs off the eastern coast of Africa, off the southern coast of India, in the Red Sea, and off the coasts of northeast and northwest Australia.
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• }Also off the coast of Florida, USA, to the Caribbean, and down to Brazil.
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• }The great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world. It is over 1,257 miles (2000km) long.
• }Types of Reefs
• }Fringing Reefs
• }Reefs systems growing fairly close to or directly from shore, with an entirely shallow lagoon or no lagoon at all.
• }Fringing reefs are by far the most common reef type in the greater Caribbean region. They also surround many South Pacific and Indian Ocean Islands.
• }Because they are situated relatively close to islands or mainland shores, fringing reefs are generally the most susceptible to coastal development, agriculture, pollution and other human activities that result in sediment and freshwater runoff.
• }Fringing Reef
• }Atoll Reef
• }Roughly circular (or occasionally horseshoe shaped) oceanic reef complexes surrounding a large, deep central lagoon.
• }They are most common in the Indo- Pacific region where over 300 atolls are found, but rare in the Greater Caribbean which houses only about 10-15. The four best developed Caribbean Atolls are found off Southern Mexico and the Coast of Belize.
• }Atolls can exceed 100 miles in diameter and contain lagoons several thousand square miles in extent. The best developed parts of reefs surrounding atolls are on the windward side, where wave energy is greatest.
• }Atoll Reef
• }Barrier Reef
• }Reef systems that are parallel to the shore and are separated from it by a wide lagoon that contain some deep portions.
• }Found in both the Indo- Pacific  (from East Africa and the Red Sea to the Central Pacific Ocean). and Greater Caribbean, with the Great Barrier being a prime example.
• }The largest Barrier reefs develop on the edges of continental shelves, e.g. Belize Barrier Reef. These massive complexes are sometimes referred to as ‘shelf barrier reefs’ to differentiate them from the much smaller barrier reefs surrounding islands.
• }Barrier Reef
• }Value of Coral Reefs to the Caribbean society and culture
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• }Coral reefs are the most important marine natural resource for Jamaica and most Caribbean islands.
• }Coral reefs have been used in the treatment of cancer, HIV, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers and for medication.
• }They  provide the bulk of fisheries catches which aid in employment (in fisheries, tourism, and services)in Caribbean countries.
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• }Coral reefs form natural barriers that protect nearby shorelines from the eroding forces of the sea, thereby protecting coastal infrastructure (seawalls, docks, roads, houses, hotels, etc.)
• }They are also the source of sand for beaches on which the tourism industry is based.
• }Coral Reefs are valuable to the tourism industry in Caribbean countries. Corals attract tourist  thus provides an essential foreign revenue source.
• }Measures that can be implemented to minimize dangers to Corals
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• }Enforce strict measures against the use of chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers near shorelines, these products end up in the watershed and may ultimately impact the waters that support coral. Report dumping or other illegal activities near coastlines.
• }Educate the public about the fragility and value of the coral reefs. Conduct training or educational programs that focus on reef ecology.
• }Enforce regulations against boats and ships using  anchors near reefs.
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• }The creation of barriers and treatment plants. These process raw sewage before dumping or returning it into the ocean, when this is done it reduces the amount of reef that would be destroyed.
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• }Learn more about coral reefs. How many different species live in reefs? What new medicines have been discovered in reef organisms. Participate in training or educational programs that focus on reef ecology. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the fragility and value of the world's coral reefs.
• }Don't pollute. Never put garbage or human waste in the water. Don't leave trash on the beach.
• }Don't anchor on the reef. If you go boating near a coral reef, use mooring buoy systems when they are available.
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  Inform yourself. Find out about existing and proposed laws, programs, and projects that could affect the world's coral reefs.
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• }Facts About Coral Reefs
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• Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth.
• Coral reefs are the largest living structure on the planet.
• Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth's surface, they are home to 25% of all marine fish species.
• 500 million people rely on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods.
• Without the existence of coral reefs, parts of Florida would be under water.
• Corals' porous limestone skeletons have been used for human bone grafts.
•  If the present rate of destruction continues, 70% of the world's coral reefs will be destroyed by the year 2050.