by Diva Badette

Coral Reefs - The Rain Forest of the Ocean

The phrase "Coral Reef" brings to mind warm climates, colorful fish and clear blue green ocean. But do you know what Corals actually are?

Corals are tiny animals that belong to a group that includes hydras, jellyfish, and sea anemones. Corals are sessile animals, meaning they are not mobile but stay fixed in one place. They feed by reaching out with tentacles to catch prey such as small fish and plank tonic animals. Corals are found in shallow, clear water where light can penetrate down to the polyps. Because corals are not mobile we think of them as plants and since some of them are hard we classify them as rocks. Many people do not understand the importance of coral reefs.  Coral reefs provide habitats for a large variety of organisms and these organisms rely on corals as a source of food and shelter. Besides the corals themselves and their symbiotic algae, other creatures that call coral reefs home include various sponges; mollusks such as sea slugs, nudibranchs, oysters, and clams; crustaceans like crabs and shrimp; many kinds of sea worms; echinoderms like star fish and sea urchins; cnidarians such as jellyfish and sea anemones; various types of fungi; sea turtles; and many species of fish. Coral reefs are an important part of our environment. They serve as shelter for other animals in the sea. They are a sensitive indicator of water quality and the ecological integrity of the ecosystem. They tolerate relatively narrow ranges of temperature, salinity, water clarity, and other chemical and water quality characteristics. They are a tourist attraction because of the unusual shapes, colors and the many fishes they harbor. Unfortunately, coral reefs now need protection. Coral reefs are stressed by natural causes such as hurricanes. However, this can also be beneficial because the damaged area of the reef is often recolonized by a greater diversity of organisms than existed before the storm. In the long term, this event benefits the ecological integrity of the reef. This is considered short term stress. Long term stress includes destruction by man through the introduction of chemicals dumped into the sea and the use of dynamite for fishing. This destroys the reefs that serve as food and shelter for the fishes. Certain types of activity on land near the reefs can also contribute to their demise. There are government and non-government associations that work to protect coral reefs. Research is being conducted to resolve these problems but we need to do our part in saving the reefs. We must stop the dumping of chemicals into the ocean and the use of dynamite for fishing. The sight of the Coral Reef brings a smile to our faces and gives us a warm feeling. Let's give future generations the opportunity to see and enjoy this extravagant creation. Let them see and experience the beauty of the ocean's Rain Forest.