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From the Sea to the Sky: Why Coral Reefs Are the Most Precious Ecosystems on Earth?
Coral reefs, this ecosystem known as the "marine rainforest", are not only one of the most beautiful sights on earth, but also an important foundation for maintaining marine biodiversity. Built by coral polyps, these amazing structures bring together some of Earth's richest biological resources and provide habitat for tens of thousands of marine creatures. According to scientific estimates, although coral reefs only account for 0.1% of the global ocean area, they are home to at least 25% of marine species.
In the coral reef ecosystem, you can find fish, molluscs, algae, starfish, and even various jellyfish. This rich species composition makes coral reefs an extremely important ecological environment in the ocean.
The formation of coral reefs depends on specific environmental conditions, usually requiring warm, shallow, clear and sunny water. These stunning structures first appeared during the Ordovician period about 485 million years ago, and over time they evolved into the structures we see today. However, these beautiful ecosystems are facing more severe environmental challenges, including climate change, ocean acidification and human activities.
The formation and structure of coral reefs
Coral reefs are made up of many small colonies of coral polyps, which accumulate and grow over several generations to form these spectacular underwater structures. Coral polyps build their exoskeletons by secreting calcium carbonate, which not only provides protection but also allows corals to continue growing under rising sea levels.
Research shows that coral reefs are usually formed after the end of the ice age and accumulate as sea levels rise, forming an ecosystem unique to tropical seas.
According to Charles Darwin's theory, the formation of coral reefs can be divided into three stages: shore reefs, barrier reefs and atolls. The evolution of these processes shows how movements in the Earth's crust affect the ecology of the sea, with atolls eventually forming, often in the waters surrounding volcanic islands.
Types of coral reefs
Among the diversity of coral reefs, scientists identify several major reef types, including:
- Marginal reef: A coral reef attached directly to the shore or growing along the shore to form a coral reef in shallow water.
- Barrier reef: A coral reef with a large deep-water channel from the shore, usually larger than the average marginal reef.
- Atolls: circular coral reefs blocking the central lagoon, first born around volcanic islands.
- Platform reefs: Formed on the continental shelf or in the open ocean, they can grow in different directions.
The ecological importance of coral reefs
Coral reefs are not only aesthetically appealing, they also have a significant impact on the global economy. They provide the basis for fishing and tourism, and also protect the coastline from storms and waves. The global economic value of coral reefs is estimated to be between $300 billion and $375 billion, or even higher, according to projections from different studies.
The existence of coral reefs is vital to the sustainable development of fisheries and tourism, as they support countless marine biodiversity.
Threats faced
As precious as coral reefs are, they face multiple threats. Since 1950, the area of shallow-water tropical coral reefs has decreased by 50%. Ocean acidification, overfishing and marine pollution caused by climate change are all important threats. These changes not only affect the corals themselves, but also alter the entire underwater ecosystem.
When corals fail to adapt to these rapidly changing environmental conditions, they can experience bleaching, ultimately leading to death and ecosystem collapse.
Conclusion
The future of coral reefs depends on global efforts to protect the environment. As scientific research progresses, we are increasingly able to understand their fragility and ecological importance. Measures to maintain and promote coral reef health are urgent. How should we act to protect these fascinating underwater forests so that they can serve our ecological environment for generations to come?
