Abstract This paper discusses how although it is not known to what extent the use of aquaculture will assist in the preservation of coral reefs, it is certain that aquaculture will help promote the health and longevity of corals when kept in a personal fish tank. It looks at how the aquaculture process facilitates appropriate animal husbandry methods that are already widely used in facilitating and improving the health of other domesticated plants and animals.
Outline
Introduction
Coral Reefs and the Marine Aquarium Hobbyist
Applications of Aquaculture Conclusion
From the Paper "To be sold as a piece of authentic aquacultured coral, the organism must have propagated a minimum of two times in captivity, suggesting that the size of the organism has reached a size sustainable for harvest two or more times since the original parent colony was harvested from the ocean (Pillay & Kutty, 2005). This process has been likened to that of houseplants, where a houseplant has grown large enough to divide a minimum of two times before the successive harvested generations are considered to be domesticated. "
Abstract The paper discusses the increased incidence of coral bleaching and its significance for marine biologists and environmentalists. The paper describes the effects and consequences of coral bleaching and concludes that coral reefs are essential for our survival, since the health of coral systems impacts the health of marine life, which in turn impacts the earth's overall ecosystem. The paper includes color illustrations.
Outline:
Introduction
Effects
Impacts and Consequences
Conclusion
From the Paper "Coral are dynamic organisms, maintaining numerous symbiotic partnerships with organisms essential to life and health of marine ecosystems. Corals are very sensitive to changes to the environment. This is one of the reasons why marine biologists use them as indicators for the health of the ecosystem (Castro & Huber, 2000). Microorganisms and small marine animals depend on coral reefs for habitat, sustenance and protection. Nybakken (1997) believes that the health of coral reefs can be used as indicators in evaluating the overall health of the marine ecosystem. This is why the increased incidence of coral bleaching is a concern for marine biologists and environmentalists. ("Coral Reef", 2006)"
Abstract This paper provides an insight into the coral reef, one of the most beautiful, living examples of nature. It discusses how it has taken thousands of years to create the coral reefs that are found worldwide and how these fragile ecosystems are in danger of disappearing unless citizens and the government take steps to preserve these habitats for numerous varieties of marine life. It shows how with the aid of satellites and concerned individuals, these living monuments will be around for thousands more years.
Outline
Introduction
History of the Reefs
What are Corals How Corals Feed
Photosynthesis
A Fragile Environment
Forming the Reef
Where Coral Forms
Variety of Colonies
Architecture of the Reef
Darwin's Theory
Wildlife of the Reefs
Monitoring the Reefs From Space
Dangers From Algae
Other Dangers
Regrowth
Protection Act of 1999
Survey of Americans
Conclusion
From the Paper "Scientists are excited about the use of the satellite since it offers views of coral reefs that are hard to reach and observe. In 2000, when a fishing boat was grounded more than 1,000 miles west of the Hawaiian Islands on the Pearl and Hermes Atoll, scientists found it difficult to reach the reef to check on the amount of damage it may have sustained. There are numerous coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean that are so remote, that it would be hard to detect or study a spill or grounding. High-resolution imagery gives scientists a much needed tool to monitor these reefs that were previously inaccessible (Soliday 154)."
Tags: satellites, nature, marine, ecosystems, photosynthesis, darwin
Abstract The paper addresses the importance and value of coral ecosystems and details human-induced threats that are currently affecting corals such as overfishing, direct disturbance, coral bleaching, eutrophication and global climate change. The paper also briefly outlines recommended strategies for managing coral ecosystems in the future. Includes pictures.
From the Paper "In the world's oceans, coral reef ecosystems contribute to a large portion of the biodiversity of marine life. Besides the living corals themselves, many plants and animals such as fish, algae, bacteria and invertebrates depend on the coral as habitat. Yet in recent years, coral reef ecosystems have declined and changed at alarming rates, leaving scientists trying to decipher the exact workings of these ecosystems and the causes of decline. Some recent suggestions on the factors contributing to reef change are overfishing, disease, large-scale disturbance events, global climate change (namely ozone depletion and global warming), pollution, overharvesting and overpopulation. Global warming in particular has been singled out as the greatest current threat to corals and is considered to play a key role in coral bleaching, an effect which can ultimately lead to mortality of corals. With the marine environment continually changing, coral reefs throughout the world, as well as the diverse array of life they support, are seriously threatened."
Abstract Several recent studies show that the America's coral reef system in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are being degraded by natural and man-made factors. This paper examines the magnitude of the problem and addresses possible solutions. The paper argues that once coral reefs die, they are gone for ever and questions whether mankind can save their destruction.
From the Paper "It remains to be seen whether these efforts would go far enough to address the urgency, which this matter requires. Policy makers should appropriate enough resources to address such problem. These are bold measures but unless the are aggressively implemented, the global Coral Reef system may be destroyed in the years to come, this is the reason why environmental pollution should be taken more seriously, the Kyoto conference held in Japan a few years ago was a right step and hopefully the leaders of the industrialized countries, who are also responsible for over two-thirds of the global industrial pollution should live up to their commitments to reduce industrial emissions. It is regrettable that President Bush's Administration refused to live up to the treaty negotiated by members of the global community of which the United States was a party to."
Abstract This paper gives an in-depth analysis of the problem of global warming and its effect on coral reefs. The paper cites statistics that describe the history of global warming. The author further explains the composition of corals and their sensitivities to environmental disturbances such as temperature change. The current crisis in coral reefs is described and international conservation programs are presented. The author concludes by encouraging public awareness of this issue.
From the Paper "The earth is warming up, slowly, but undoubtedly. The seemingly trivial increase of 1.1 , or a little more than half Celsius since 1861, has altered the climate tremendously. There are more extreme weather events, which result in flood and drought especially in the poor countries. The atmospheric and oceanographic disturbance El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) during the 1982-1983 and 1997-1998 had caused the increase in seawater temperature two to three degrees Celsius above normal (Brown). Coral reefs, already devastated by human activities such as over-fishing, development in coastal areas, and pollution, are further ravaged by the unusual warming. Extensive bleaching is widespread, which turn the colorful coral into dazzling white masses. This damage, then, will affect a wide range of organisms, whose survivals are dependent on the reefs' health condition."
Abstract The following paper examines the semiotic messages being delivered by the American Marine Corps' "The Few, The Proud, The Marines". The paper argues that the Corps cleverly appeals to people's inward desire to be something more than themselves - and their equally potent desire to serve a great cause. More than that, the paper argues that the phrase appeals to notions of American exceptionalism.
From the Paper "It is entirely possible that no government slogan is more freighted with meaning and connotation than the hallowed Marine slogan, "The Few, The Proud, The Marines". The following paper will examine what this slogan means and what it is saying about American culture by employing a semiotic analysis of the expression. Ultimately, what should emerge is an appreciation and understanding that the aforementioned expression taps into a popular deep-seated yearning to be one part of an elite unit readily distinguished from other groups in society; no less importantly, the popular slogan taps into equally popular notions of American exceptionalism. With that in mind, it is to a discussion of the American marines' inimitable slogan that this paper now turns. Simply put, semiotics is the study of signs - both individually and as they are grouped in "sign systems" - and how metaphorically-laden meaning is transmitted and understood through the use of signs."
Abstract There is much controversy on Samuel Taylor Coleridge writing "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" because of its religious overtones. The symbolic purpose of the Albatross and the Mariner's type of religious consciousness are issues discussed in this paper.
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts Mary Shelley's story of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature to Coleridge's Mariner of his poem, "The Ancient Mariner," arguing that the latter informed the former.
From the Paper " In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the monster created by Victor Frankenstein becomes a killer not by choice but because he has been abandoned by his creator. In developing the character of the creature Shelley also develops the ..."
Tags: Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Abstract This paper examines the major environmental problem of marine pollution in Los Angeles and Orange County. The paper discusses the causes and effects of marine pollution and includes maps of the area under discussion.
From the Paper "The southern California megalopolis, extending from Santa Barbara all the way to the Mexican border and centered around the City of Los Angeles, is widely recognized as the largest population and industrial center in the western United States and the second largest in the nation. According to the US Geological Survey, the metropolitan area fronts the Pacific Ocean along a coastline that is about..."
Abstract This paper begins by describing the current situation of marine ecosystems around the world and looking at the damage they suffer as a result of pollution. The paper explains that marine ecosystems are being altered because of oil spills and other human-mediated activities and then takes a look at the effects of this pollution.
Abstract A discussion of the similarities and differences between Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' and Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick'. It compares the stories' content and characters as well as their literary properties. It discusses the similarity between the main themes as well as the narrator's significance. It includes several excerpts form both books and analyzes them. Finally, it concludes that Coleridge and Melville seem to be delivering the same message. They urge us, as humans to accept the mysteries of the universe, however harsh we find them, or we will end up destroying ourselves.
From the Paper "'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and 'Moby Dick' by Herman Melville are rich in thematic parallels. Both works are highly symbolic and are centered on the sea, which can be equated with the sea of life. Both stories are dramatic, fantastic, exciting and full of supernatural portent. Symbolism seen through nature is a major theme in both as the Mariner and Ahab share monomanical obsessions with albatross and whale. Both works are narrated by the only soul to survive the experience and both narrators, Ishmael and the Mariner with his "glittering eye"( Coleridge l. 13) can be imagined to be similar strange figures who might corner a listener to tell the tale which haunts him. Both Ishmael whose liferaft is a coffin and the Mariner, whose skeleton ship disintegrates are ghostly reminders of their creators advice about dealing with life's mysteries."
Abstract The paper reviews Coleridge's poem part by part. It discusses its main psychological themes and ideas, those of depression, loneliness and isolation. The author highlights how the main character, the mariner, is trapped in a watery and dangerous world filled with the unknown which Coleridge manipulates through the use of human psychology.
From the Paper "After reading "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," one has the impression that the psychological journey of the mariner has much to do with a deep sense of depression and isolation which Coleridge describes with "Alone, alone, all, all alone/Alone on a wide open sea!/And never a saint took pity on/My soul in agony" (Part IV, lines 9-12). In addition, Coleridge provides the impression that another aspect of this psychological journey is related to the Mariner trying to figure out why he is being forced to endure the tragedies that are happening on the wide open seas. But unknown to him, these tragedies are linked to the killing of the albatross. One excellent example can be found in Part Six of the poem, where the mariner states, "Like one, that on a lonesome road/Doth walk in fear and dread/And having once turned around walks on/And turns no more his head/Because he knows, a frightful fiend/Doth close behind him tread" (lines 37-42)."
Abstract The paper discusses the precarious position of the Elkhorn Coral and identifies the features of an effective conservation policy at the national and/or international level. This includes keeping human beings and animals away from the reefs, developing non-intrusive bulwarks as a protection from large-scale hurricanes and distancing industrial works and run-off from the reefs. The paper concludes that an effort should be undertaken to build up an international coalition of environmentalists and sympathetic policy-makers who can remind political elites around the globe of under-reported marine species such as the Elkhorn Coral.
From the Paper "One of the most obvious problems currently bedeviling the Elkhorn Coral is its susceptibility to disease. According to the United States Office of Protected Resources, the Elkhorn Coral has had problems with rampant disease since the dawn of the 1980s (para.4). Indeed, by the middle-1980s, scientists were becoming increasingly alarmed by the spread of calicoblastic neoplasms or cancerous lesions among Elkhorn Coral colonies in the Florida region - most notably among those colonies housed at the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary in Key Largo, Florida (Peters, 895)."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts some of the environmental stresses faced by two marine ecosystems: the coral reefs and the mangrove swamps. It attempts to show that despite differences in types of ecosystem stressors, both share common anthropogenic stresses. The paper begins by describing the coral reefs and mangrove swamps and then describes the threats to them, environmentally.
From the Paper "Despite the vast amount of coral, that can seem mind-boggling at times, the specific environmental conditions required by coral means that it can be very susceptible to environmental changes. For examples, relatively minor surface water temperature increases can kill, or bleach, coral reefs. In Hawaii Jokiel and Brown (2004) found that sea surface temperature increases of just more than 1 degree C caused significant coral bleaching in both 1996 and 2002. They observed that the overall trend of oceanic warming is causative for increases in the frequency and severity of coral bleaching worldwide. While global warming has been pointed to as the reason for this increase, there are more direct ways that man is placing new environmental stresses on coral reefs. "
