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Learn about the delicate ecosystems of coral reefs, including plant and animal adaptations, economic value, human disturbance factors, and the conservation acts in place to protect these invaluable marine environments.
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The Coral Reef Jillian and John
Location • Along equator • Water Temperatures around 20 degrees C
Climate • Average Temperature is 27 degrees C • No precipitation (underwater…) • Air and current temperatures, tides, and rainfalls • Closer to shore = more affected by tides • Reef flats uncovered at low tides
Soil and Chemical Cycles • Polyps grow and bud off to form coral • Many of these polyp colonies put together forms a reef • Nitrogen, Ammonia, Phosphorus, and chlorophyll all need to be less than .014ppm.
Economic Value • Reefs house diverse large populations of fish. • Tourist Attraction • Reefs a barrier against waves
Human Disturbance • Humans have overfished hundreds of reefs • Humans have thrown off the delicate chemical balances in many reefs. • Construction obstructs the natural flow of currents and tides to reefs.
Hawksbill Turtle Beak Like Head Distinctive Claws Unique to Species Heart Shaped Shells When Young Eretmochelys imbricata
Location • Sandy Beaches in 60 Countries • Females Migrate Between Nesting and Feeding Areas • Reproduce every 2 to 3 years • Find their way with Ocean Currents • Feed on bottom sponges • Lives in coastal waters • Many different Habitats around beaches • Sex determination based around water temperature
Causes of Endangerment • Increase Human Interaction • Poaching • Artificial Lighting • Predators • Common Problems of Beaches
Level of Endangerment • Critically Endangered Level Varies from Place to Place • Human Interaction • Illegal Shell Trade • Market for Eggs and Meats • Deterioration of Coral Reefs • About 22,900 nesting females
Conclusion • Only Protecting U.S. Beaches Not Enough • Shell Trade, Poaching, and Hunting Illegal in Majority of Countries • Conserve and Protect Remaining • Each Country has Own Plan
Coral Reef Conservation Act • Enacted in 2000 • American Conservation Effort • Authorized by Congress and Bill Clinton • Continually Being Updated by Present Congress
Provisions of Law • Preserve Coral Reefs • Management of Ecosystems • Better Information on Current Conditions • Financial Assistance for Conservation Projects
Enforcement • Government Keeps Updating and Revising Law to Further Keep Coral Reef Safe • Hard to Enforce due to the Illegal Trade
Changes to Conservation Act • Amendment in 2007 • It included More Protection to the Shores • Direct Removal of Marine Debris • Accuse Responsible Parties for Injury to Ecosystem
Application to Coral Reef • Brings Attention to the Endangered Species and Ecosystem • Helping to Promote and Expand the Reef • Aiding in Restoring the Current Reef