Essay on Rainforests of the Ocean - 942 Words

Rainforests of the Ocean Coral reefs are large societies of small living organisms. They are made up of millions of various creatures including fish, starfish, sea urchins, and so much more. Despite the fact that coral reefs make up fewer than one percentage of the Earth’s surface, coral reefs are still one of the greatest diversified ecosystems in the world due to the creatures that live in and around the reefs. Coral reefs are located in shallow, warm waters in the tropics around the Bahamas, in the Red Sea, and near the Hawaiian islands. The largest coral reefs are the Great Barrier Reef, the Red Sea Coral Reef, and the New Caledonia Barrier Reef. (â€Å"The World’s 10 Largest Coral Reefs†) Coral reefs are made up of the calcium carbonate†¦show more content†¦The zooxanthellae gives some of it’s the food it had produced from photosynthesis to the coral. Because coral can only grow where a light source is abundant and frequent, the coral also offers a great source of sunlight for the zooxanthellae. (â€Å"Coral, Carbon Dioxide, and Calcification†) Polyps are able to reproduce by both asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. In asexual reproduction, the polyps are clones of each-other. In other words, the resulting polyps or colonies are identical to the original. The two types of asexual reproduction are budding and fragmentation. When a coral polyp reaches a large size, it divides, therefore generating an identical new coral polyp. Fragmentation, on the other hand is when a portion of a colony cracks off and creates a different colony. Fragmentation can happen due to external factors, like a storm or fishing materials. In addition, coral polyps can breed by sexual reproduction, either externally or internally, depending on the variety of the coral polyp. In external fertilization, coral polyps let out large masses of eggs while other polyps release small parcels of sperm. Once all the eggs and sperm float upward, the eggs are fertilized and free swimming larvae are produced. Within a few days or weeks, most larvae becom e coral polyps. While most polyps reproduce sexually by this method, some will use internal fertilization. Polyps that have the eggs insideShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Rainforests of Our Oceans2018 Words   |  9 Pages The first thing that comes to mind when we think of coral reefs is either an image of Nemo swimming through those finger-like plants in the ocean or a jumble of those plants we see on postcards and on television, thinking that one of them (but which one?) must be a coral reef. On the contrary, however, coral reefs are far from being plants but are in fact, an ecosystem filled with corals, both hard and soft, and endless reef species. The coral itself is made of many coral polyps, delicate limestone-secretingRead MoreA Community Of Organisms With Their Environment1327 Words   |  6 PagesN2 into useable ammonium (NH4+). Nitrogen also goes through a process called nitrogen fixation where atmospheric nitrogen combines with other elements to form useful compounds. The Nitrogen Cycle The water cycle, the sun heats up water in the ocean. The main source of the water cycle is the sun, because without no water would evaporate. The water then evaporates as vapor into the air. Then, ice and snow sublimates directly into the water vapor. The water vapor in the air then gets cold and changesRead MoreThe Role Of Tropical Rainforest And Water Cycle1604 Words   |  7 PagesThe role of tropical rainforest in water cycle The tropical rainforest plays a significant role in regulating the water cycle on earth, through transpiration and evaporation process. 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Rainforests represent a store of living and breathing renewable natural resourcesRead MoreThe Amazon Rainforest Is A Vital And Spectacular Part Of Our Planet1514 Words   |  7 PagesThe Amazon Rainforest is a vital and spectacular part of our planet. The forest spreads over nine countries on the South American continent which are Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It is the world’s largest remaining rainforest covering over 2.5 million square miles, with 63 percent of it resting in Brazil. (Finer 2008). It is considered the lungs of Earth. Giving the entir e world population daily oxygen and absorbing our carbon dioxide. IndustrializationRead MoreA Report By Jill U. Adams On The Dangers, And Current Regulations Of Air Pollution And Climate Essay836 Words   |  4 Pagesof each. This source can be found on EBSCO Academic Search while searching for ‘climate change.’ Schwartz, John. Study Finds Rising Levels of Plastics in Oceans: [Foreign Desk]. Http://www.nytimes.com/. The New York Times, 13 Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Mar. 2016. In the article John Schwartz discusses the increasing amount of plastics in the oceans. Since he began at the Times, John Schwartz has covered an array of topics, but is most noted for his climate reports. The author shows little to no bias andRead MoreCoral Reefs : A Study From National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration923 Words   |  4 Pagesthat adds beauty to the ocean and to the fishes. Others see a peaceful bed for the oceans floor. Creature on the other hand see a shelter, and protection from people or bigger animals that lurk for their pray. Coral reefs aren’t made for its scenery, but as an ecosystem for many plants and animals. They do not only help the animals but serve to people as important sources of income, food, protection, and new medicines of mankind. Coral reefs are less than 1 percent of the ocean floor, but support 25%