Unit 1: Conservation Abroad - Coral Reefs
- Created by: rosieevie
- Created on: 28-04-14 21:57
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- Coral Reefs
- Ecological Features
- Polyps trap plankton with stick cilia or sting cells
- Symbiotic algae live inside coral polyps and produce sugars
- Warm, stable temperatures 25-29 Celsius
- Bright sunlight for algal photosynthesis
- Low turbidity - kills polyps otherwise
- Constant salinity - osmotic problems with polyps otherwise
- Hard substrate for polyp attatchment
- Importance
- Support over 1/4 marine species
- Reef species produce biologically active substances for defence that can be used in medicine
- Protect coasts from erosion, storm damage and flooding
- Attract tourists - contribute to local economies
- Carbon reservoir
- Food source
- Threats
- Physical damage from divers, anchors and litter
- Coral tourist souvenirs
- Sediments from eroded farmland and coasts kill polyps
- Mangrove forests removed - protect reefs from sediments
- Coral bleaching - warm water causes polyps to eject algae = poor food chains
- Limestone dissolves from increased acidity from increased carbon dioxide levels
- Overexploitation and harmful fishing methods
- Slow-growing corals may not photosynthesise if sea levels rise
- Fertiliser leaching = more algae eutrophication
- Conservation Methods: Marine Protected Areas/National Parks
- Fixed mooring bouys
- Educating divers and swimmers
- No-take zones
- Ecotourism and sustainable fishing
- Safe waste disposal
- Banning dredging
- Protecting mangrove forests
- Ecological Features
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