Gourt > Science > Biology > Ecology > Aquatic Ecology > Marine > Coral Reefs (1)
A coral reef is a type of biotic reef that develops in tropical waters by the growth of coralline algae, hermatypic corals, and other marine organisms. Coral reefs are typically massive biogenic formations of calcium carbonate (limestone) that are deposited within or around the bodies of the inhabitants of the reef as skeletal material. This material gradually accumulates as debris is knitted together by the continued growth of the attached forms living on the reef.
Coral Reef Biology
The building blocks of coral reefs are the skeletons of generations of reef-building algae, corals, and other organisms that are composed of calcium carbonate. For example, as a coral head grows, it lays down a skeletal structure encasing each new polyp. Waves, grazing fishes (such as parrotfish), sea urchins, sponges, and other forces and organisms break down the coral skeletons into fragments that settle into spaces in the reef structure. Many other organisms living in the reef community contribute their skeletal calcium carbonate in the same manner. Coralline algae are actually the main contributors to the structure, at least in those parts of the reef subjected to the greatest forces by waves (such as the reef front facing the open ocean). These algae contribute to reef-building by depositing limestone in sheets over the surface of the reef and thereby contributing to the structural integrity of the reef. Many coralline algae species form nodules, or develop on the surface of fragments, enlarging these. The crust-forming species protect coral reefs by withstanding and mitigating wave pressures that would destroy most corals. This crust often forms a protective ridge on the outer edge of a reef (reef crest or reef margin), particularly in the Pacific (Castro and Huber, 2000; Nybakken, 1997). More on [ Coral reef ]
Powerful piece on Coral reefs - can we make a change in 2010? http://bit.ly/8PZAXr
graemefbyrd (Graeme Byrd) Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:04:59 -0000
Powerful piece on Coral reefs - can we make a change in 2010? http://bit.ly/8PZAXr
RT @hawaiiwebman Aloha Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding - Help Protect Coral Reefs ...: The use of fish food by tourists... http://bit.ly/..
MangoRoadMusic (Mango Road Music) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:10:50 -0000
RT @hawaiiwebman Aloha Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding - Help Protect Coral Reefs ...: The use of fish food by tourists... http://bit.ly/..
Aloha Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding - Help Protect Coral Reefs ...: The use of fish food by tourists... http://bit.ly/6yFghd Aloha Hawaii
hawaiiwebman (HawaiiWebMan) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:59:54 -0000
Aloha Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding - Help Protect Coral Reefs ...: The use of fish food by tourists... http://bit.ly/6yFghd Aloha Hawaii
Coral reefs are found in 109 countries.
factboffin (Fact Boffin) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:56:05 -0000
Coral reefs are found in 109 countries.
C Disney's Oceans during open wk portion will go 2 coral reefs www.disney.com/oceans
muakelly (muakelly) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:35:58 -0000
C Disney's Oceans during open wk portion will go 2 coral reefs www.disney.com/oceans
Reefs> coral reefs | The Smithsonian Institution: The Ocean Portal http://bit.ly/8sF0xr
rssChngzNtheAir (David) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:29:05 -0000
Reefs> coral reefs | The Smithsonian Institution: The Ocean Portal http://bit.ly/8sF0xr
Action Atlas: Coral Reefs - The plight of the planet's coral reefs-and how you can help.
Meta Description: [ THREATS TO THE CORAL REEFS OF THE WORLD, AND WHO'S WORKING TO SAVE THEM. ]
Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute - This Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) website is intended to advise, educate and promote action on your part to become involved in the management of Belize's wealth of coastal resources.
Meta Description: [ The coastal zone of Belize is a complex system comprised of the barrier reef, the three offshore atolls, hundreds of patch reefs, extensive seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and over 1,000 cayes. ]
Coral Magazine - A quarterly video magazine of coral reefs. Includes ecology, descriptions, identification, free photos, filming techniques, and even a short quiz. Coral and shells are featured.
Coral Realm - Discover coral reefs with this interactive multimedia presentation. Includes a comprehensive database.
Coral Reef Fish - Research on tropical, coral reef fish. List of publications, database of collections by species, otolith studies.
Meta Description: [ Benjamin Victor's website on his coral reef fish larvae research with his new larval reef fish guide for the caribbean and downloadable publications and a description of his projects and an inventory of the fish collection and tissue available for phylogenetics studies. The collection is primaril... ]
CORAL:The Coral Reef Alliance - Membership organization that works to address the worldwide problem of coral reef destruction. They focus on educating divers and the general public about the problems facing coral reefs, and also provide funding and technical support for coral reef conservation around the world.
Meta Description: [ Non-profit organization working to keep coral reefs alive. ]
CoralRealm Marine Life Databases - Coral Realm is all about coral reef marine life. Site features a database of more than 1000 reef fish, sharks and rays searchable by common, science or family name. Travel logs and dive travel planning are also part of Coral Realm.
Meta Description: [ CoralRealm is a place to learn about coral reef
marine life. ]
CRC Reef Research Center (Australia) - Supports reef research and outreach programs, with an emphasis on science-based development of reef-friendly industry, government regulations and planning. Focus is on Great Barrier Reef.
Cybereef - Takes you on a virtual diving adventure to some of the most beautiful reefs in the world. Featuring the marine images of Jean and Phil Slosberg, the spotlight is turned upon the small and unusual citizens of the reef. Enjoy macro photography of interesting critters and learn more about their behavior and habitat.
Meta Description: [ Cybereef takes you on a photo journey through some of the most beautiful locations
in the world. If you enjoy photography of interesting creatures and learning more about their
behavior and habitat; come join Jean and Phil Slosberg on the Cybereef. ]
Environmental Intelligence - This site has examples of mapping Hawaiian coral reefs and mangrove using hyperspectral imaging.
Meta Description: [ UltraSpectral Inc. is a small, privately held corporation located in Albuquerque, NM which was formed for the purpose of developing, selling and applying a sophisticated set of spectral data analysis and data base management software. UltraSpectral is a member of the Manoa Innovation Center and e... ]
Global Coral Health and Monitoring Program - About US government research to assess how, where, and why damage is occurring to coral reefs and to determine the best methods for prevention.
Meta Description: [ This site contains a wealth of information on Coral Reefs inlcuding: literature, disease information, researcher's directory, bulletins, protocols, real-time data, discussions, pictures, quotes, and an extensive links lsiting. ]
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary - Savannah, Georgia, USA. This page describes Gray's Reef research, educational programs, and current activities at the Sanctuary.
Hawai'i Coral Reef Network - The mission of the Hawai'i Coral Reef Network is to foster education and research on coral reefs by facilitating communication among the environmental, scientific, governmental, and public communities and to enhance the conservation of coral reefs through stewardship.
Meta Description: [ Coral reef ecology, data, education, research, current events and links in Hawaii ]
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Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program - The Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program was created during 1997-98 by leading coral reef researcers, managers and educators in Hawaii to increase the ability to manage coral reef habitat in Hawaii.
Meta Description: [ CRAMP is developing and applying standard scientific techniques that will enable us to compare the results of many different coral reef studies throughout the state. CRAMP - The Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program was created during 1997-98 by leading coral reef researcers, manage... ]
Hawaii Coral Reef Bibliography - Bibliographic reference data base of surveys, studies, technical reports, and atlases on physical oceanography, biology, taxonomy, water quality, ecology, and reef resources for the main Hawaiian Islands.
NOAA Coral Health and Monitoring Program (CHANP) - Services to help improve and sustain coral reef health throughout the world. Part of an international network of coral reef researchers.
Meta Description: [ NOAA's Coral Health and Monitoring Program ListServer. ]
Ocean Science Foundation - Facilitates research on endangered tropical marine ecosystems and coral reef ecology.
Meta Description: [ Ocean Science Foundation, Inc. A Non-profit Entity Dedicated to Research on endangered tropical marine ecosystems & coral reefs reef fishes ]
Palmyra Atoll: Rainforest of the Sea - Online photographic expedition to a pristine coral atoll ecosystem 1000 miles south of Hawaii, focusing on coral reefs and wildlife. English and Japanese.
Reef Check - Trains volunteers to carry out reef check surveys -- online papers and manuals, details of sites and results.
Meta Description: [ Reef Check. The world's largest international coral reef monitoring program involving recreational divers and experienced marine scientists ]
Reef Education Network - Learn about coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef and the many creatures that live in, on and around them.
Meta Description: [ The Reef Education Network (REN) is a
fun and interactive way to learn about coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef and the many creatures that live in, on and around them. ]
Reef Environment Education Foundation (REEF) - Volunteer research program by recreational divers who take surveys of the world's coral reefs. About the project and its findings.
Reef Relief - Focuses on rigorous science to educate the public and lobby policymakers to achieve Conservation, Protection, and Restoration of coral reef ecosystems.
Meta Description: [ REEF RELIEF is a grassroots non-profit conservation organization dedicated to Preserve and Protect the Living Coral Reef Ecosystem. Reef Relief is a watchdog for the reefs, advocates water quality improvement policy, and encourages the public to help protect the coral reef through sustainable liv... ]
Reef Systems - Company that produces artificial reefs.
Meta Description: [ Web site for Reef Systems as ]
ReefGuardian International - Non-profit organization protecting coral reef essential fish habitat from beach renourishments, dredging and ship groundings, and overfishing. Information about issues, primarily in U.S. and Caribbean waters.
Meta Description: [ ReefGuardian's website is dedicated
to helping people take action to protect coral reefs and their marine
life. ]
ReefKeeper International - Non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection of coral reefs and their marine life. Targets 6 Issue Areas: Offshore Oil, Marine Pollution, Reef Fisheries, Physical Impacts, Coastal Zone Management, and Marine Protected Areas. ReefKeeper Network facilitates coral reef conservation advocacy by over 300 Network participant groups. Reef Technical Assistance Program (ReefTAP) reaches out to enable locally-organized coral reef conservation initiatives.
Meta Description: [ ReefKeeper International is a public interest organization dedicated to the protection of coral reefs and their marine life ]
Shoals Rodrigues - Research and training of local people about the seas and coral reefs around the Mauritius island of Rodrigues. Details of programs, facilities, habitats.
Meta Description: [ Shoals Rodrigues carries out research, trains local people and educates
children about the seas and coral reefs around the Mauritius Island of Rodrigues ]
TheSea.org - Education resource.
Meta Description: [ The Sea.Org is a Coral Reef information resource for Scuba Divers and more. ]
Venture into Hawaii's Coral Reefs - Pictures and information about Hawaii's coral reefs and stresses the interdependence of reef organisms on each other.
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