Coral Reef Research Papers Samples For Students

Impact of climatic change on the Great Barrier Reef

Climatic changes refer to lasting and significant changes in the weather patterns characterized by statistical distribution over a period spanning decades or hundred thousands of years. These changes may encompass extreme weather conditions and may happen due to variations in solar radiation reaching earth, biotic processes, volcanic eruptions, melting of the polar caps and plate tectonics. Certain activities undertaken by humans have also been recognized as contributing to negative climatic changes such as global warming. This climate change has threatened earth's ecosystems. The recent harsh change in the climate such as an increase in temperature takes a great toll on the ...

Coral bleaching occurs when there is physiological stress experienced by the coral reefs. The stress is caused by an imbalance of the symbiotic relationship that the corals have with the algae that live within them. These algae are of the genus Symbiodinium. The algae are important to the coral reef since they are a source of nutrition and color. The algae will reduce or all will leave the coral reefs when there are harsh physical conditions. When this occurs, there is no tissue growth and sexual production in the corals. They end up losing color and thus the term coral ...

Coral Bleaching: Causes, Effects and Response Action Plan Coral bleaching occurs when there is physiological stress which leads to an imbalance of the symbiotic relationship that the corals have with the algae that live in the coral leaves (Rosenberg, Kushmaro, Kramarsky-Winter, Banin and Yossi 1). The algae will reduce or all will leave. The algae are important to the coral reef since they are a source of nutrition and colour. When this occurs, there is no tissue growth and sexual production in the corals. They end up losing colour and thus the term coral bleaching (Douglas, 386).
The skeletal ...

Corals fall under anthozoans, which include sea pansies, sea fans and anemones. Coral reefs are usually made up of stony corals that has polyps which cluster in groups. Stony corals are responsible for building and laying foundations of reef structures. In the marine ecosystem, coral reefs are the most diverse of all the organisms according to Dubinsky and Stambler (2011, p. 241). Corals are usually found across oceans of the world, in deep and shallow water. However, reef-building corals only occur in shallow subtropical and tropical waters. This is due to the fact that algae in their tissues prefer ...

Introduction

Climate change is among the significant factors impacting ecological diversity on a worldwide scale. The growth of industries and the increasing human population globally have resulted in a rise in the volume of greenhouse gasses, which scientists have argued are the greatest contributors to the menace. The Florida Keys is one of the ecological treasures of the U.S. that continues to be impacted negatively by climate change and anthropogenic activities. This ecological treasure, which is located at the tip of the state of Florida, comprises about 1,700 islands that stretch for more than 200 miles to the west ...

Reefs and shorelines are some of the most instrumental features of natural water bodies. Consequently, they should be preserved and kept clean. Keeping shorelines clean helps preserve the water quality and keep the water in the water bodies clean. The vegetation found in the shorelines filters surface runoff before the runoff can reach the water. Consequently, pollutants such as pesticides, manure, fertilizers, motor fluids and sediments, that may be present in the runoff, are prevented from entering the water. These pollutants can affect the aquatic animals and the water ecosystem in many ways. For instance, deposition of a large amount ...

Abstract

Introduction
The current research relates the relations between the increased number of tourists visiting Hawaii and the increased average annual temperature resulted in negative consequences for local fauna.

Methods

Statistical research in the form of regression and correlation analyses was conducted based on data presented by Hawaii Government (n.p.), Hawaii Tourism Authority (n.p.), and Monahan and Fisichelli (n.p.).

Results

The analyses revealed strong correlation between variables meaning that the increased number of tourists to Hawaii makes negative impact on local environment.

Discussion

As the strong correlation between the number of the tourists and the increase in temperature was revealed, the government of Hawaii ...

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction?

Global warming is the recorded and projected rise in the Earth’s average atmospheric and oceanic temperatures. In the year nineteen eighty six Svante Arrhenius, a Nobel Prize laureate from Sweden, brought to the attention of the world the imminent danger of global warming but nobody paid attention to his concerns. Today the topic of global warming has become a universal concern with everyone taking the threats posed by global warming seriously. The same people, whose activities contributed greatly to this problem, are more than willing to help in dealing with this problem. However, some people are skeptics who claim that ...

For the past few decades, there has been an increase in natural calamities that have been as a result of human activities. An increase in the overall atmospheric temperatures, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, mass extinction of entire species, flash floods and fluctuating weather patterns have become a common occurrence. Scientists raised alarm over this issue and slowly global warming has become a stark reality and imminent threat to the survival of humanity in years to come (Oreskes, 2004). With this in mind, there have been several global meetings aimed at charting the way forward and coming up with ...

I love to travel to different places, and Florida is a city that catches my attention in no time. The town boasts beautiful theme parks, including Universal Studios, top-notch malls, shopping centers, and exotic wildlife, but its beaches capture my heart. Relaxing waters, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and positive vibrations force me to spend time on these beaches again and again. However, it is unfortunate that global warming and changing climatic patterns are causing a grave threat to beaches, shore communities, and surrounding areas. Life has already been altered in many places, and a vast population has been rehabilitated owing to destructive ...

Introduction

Is the fish population close to extinction? This could be addressed by taking a look at the present trend in the marine and aquatic population. The marine and aquatic habitat house more population and species than the terrestrial. The researches have proved, and made it obvious by the fact that water bodies take up 70 percent of the earth surface. Fishes are the most common species in the aquatic and marine habitat. There are various types of fishes, and each species is important in the food chain. In fact, the depletion of one species can create incredible consequence and effect ...

Introduction

These days, after the rise of industrial revolution, almost every economy is dependent on industrial activities which businesses pursue to not only make profits but create value for the society at large. While pursuing such an activity, the manufacturing concerns are also required to take care of the environment as well. This is because the production activities not only involve the release of dangerous wastes but also involve the emission of carbon dioxide gas which is harmful for society, environment and marine life as a whole resulting in a rise of global warming.
Carbon dioxide (having a chemical formula of CO2) ...

A Call to Action

Throughout its history, the Earth has experienced drastic fluctuations in its average surface temperature, with multiple ice ages and periods of natural global warming. However, in recent years, the rate at which the global temperature has increased is unparalleled and cause for concern. The effects and predicted effects of this major and relatively rapid global warming are varied and extensive. Global warming has likely been and will continue to wreak havoc on sea levels, weather patterns, human health, buildings and communities, agriculture and other components of life on Earth as we know it, making global warming the most important ...

Tourism Management 3700

Introduction
In Kenya, tourism provides the second largest source of revenue to the national government after agriculture; people travel from all over the world to visit tourist attraction cites. According to the assumptions of most of the Europeans and Americans who have never visited Africa, these assume that there are very many wild animals in the continent that people just mingle with them in the streets. The former part of this assumption is true. Yes, there are very many wild animals in Africa, especially in Kenya, but these wild animals are organized in places where tourists can view ...