Abstract
The paper relates that as any environmentally conscious person is fully aware, the world's coral reefs have been in decline in recent years, in fact, as one expert reports, "two-thirds of the world's coral reefs may be dying and, if current conditions continue, 70% of them may be gone by 2050, according to statistics released by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force" (Chepesiuk, 2000). In light of this serious situation, the current study examines a number of critical questions concerning coral reefs. More specifically, the current study examines questions including: what is coral, why coral reefs are important biologically and economically, factors and issues currently threatening coral, and what the US Government is currently doing to conserve coral.

Tags:coral, coral reefs, crtf

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."

Tags:biology, change, climate, coral, degradation, ecosystem, environment, environmental, global, marine, ocean, reef, warming

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that coral collected for hobbyists comes from reefs throughout the world, with the majority of harvesting collected within the South Pacific and in the Caribbean Sea. The writer notes that aquaculture has been recommended as a means of improving the quality and longevity of corals kept in reef tanks, as well as helping preserve the integrity of the coral reefs from which these organisms are initially harvested. This paper identifies and explores these issues.

From the Paper
"Marine fish tank hobbyists are increasingly interested in keeping coral species as a centerpiece of their aquariums. The introduction of "nano reefs," or fish tanks that are less than thirty gallons in size and are specifically designed to house salt water species has exacerbated the demand for both fish and coral organisms within the aquarist trade. Moreover, many of those keeping such nano reefs are comparatively new to ..."

Tags:marine, biology, coral

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."

Tags:Coral, reef, polyps, temperature, change, global, warming

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses how coral reefs function. Further, the writer looks at the effect that environmental stressors have on them. The writer discusses what if anything can be done to protect coral reefs from harmful environmental effects.

From the Paper
"The research question explored herein is how to coral reefs function and what are their responses to environmental stressors such as increasing ocean temperatures and acidification. A related question is what if anything can be done to protect coral reefs from harmful environmental effects. The function of coral reefs as described by Bellwood Hughes Folke and Nystrom is to provide an ecosystem in which a wide variety offish and flora live feed breed and interact with each other ..."

Tags:coral reefs, ocean temperature, acidification

Abstract
This paper describes different types of coral reefs from the Australia's Great Barrier Reef to the small, isolated coral heads sprouting out of sandy or grassy sea bottoms called patch reefs. The paper relates that the loss of coral reefs represents a serious threat to essential bio-diversity. The paper also discusses the many threats to the coral, which are killing them, and the national and international initiatives to save these reefs. I

Table of Contents:
Introduction
What Is Coral
Biological Importance
Economic Benefits of the Coral Reefs
Threats to the Coral Reefs
National Initiatives
International Initiatives

From the Paper
"The term coral is used to refer both to the animal itself and to the cement-like substance it manufactures in its body to build a reef. The animal was long thought to be a plant. In 1726, a French naturalist named Jean Andre Peysonne found that these 'plants' were actually animals belonging to the phylum of coelenterates. Coral is a very simple organism. It has a tiny, transparent, gelatinous body enclosed in a tube with an opening at one end, and around this opening--which functions both as a mouth and as a passage to excrete wastes--is a ring of tiny tentacles ,which gather in the animal's food."

Tags:polyp, starfish, bleaching, caribbean, conservation

Abstract
The paper provides an overview of coral reefs and their role in the maintenance of biodiversity and balance of natural elements. The paper explains the causes behind the deteriorating state of coral reefs and shows why this problem requires not just action at the domestic level, but also regional and international cooperation. The paper discusses the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and how it addresses the issues of pollution, cooperation, information and monitoring and fishing. The paper contends that although this law has a number of shortcomings, it has given rise to many successful conservation efforts and therefore is without a doubt an important step towards conservation of coral reefs.

Outline:
An Overview of Coral Reefs
The Deteriorating State of Coral Reefs
Coral Reefs and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

From the Paper
"Coral reefs form in shallow waters near most continents but tend to cluster within 30 degrees north and south of the equator, making regions such as the Red Sea and the Caribbean islands especially important in conservation efforts. (2) In recent years, a rare type of coral known as "cold water corals" has been discovered farther north along the coast of Norway. Unlike their tropical cousins, these corals are able to survive in deeper, colder water, feeding off of microscopic organisms in the deep ocean instead of symbiotic algae near the surface. These corals are also extremely slow growing: "it can take 400 years for coral tree to become just 2cm thick." (3) It is the depth of the habitat of these cold-water corals that make them especially vulnerable to abusive fishing methods (like bottom trawling), as they are not visible from the surface and thus are often neglected when authorities demarcate protective zones around known locations of coral reefs."

Tags:conservation, fishing, pollution, runoff, ecosystems

Abstract
This paper begins by providing a brief definition of coral reefs and their main characteristics. It then discusses the different ecological problems -natural and man-caused which are slowly destroying the reefs. These include eutrophication - when the algae which is in a symbiotic relationship with the coral overgrows the coral using the increased nutrient content of the water and in the process destroys the coral. It also includes over fishing, coral bleaching and tourism. The paper finally examines the various laws and acts which have been passed to try and avert this phenomenon.

From the Paper
"Coral reefs are widely known as the "rain forests of the ocean". Providing a habitat to innumerable varieties of marine species the coral reefs are an important part of the marine ecosystem. Occupying an estimated 4,00,000 square miles (0.17%) of the ocean surface the coral reefs sustain more than 25% of all marine life. [Washington College of Law]. However uncontrolled fishing, tourism and other environmentally destabilizing activities of man have seriously endangered the coral reefs. This situation is alarming considering the fact that damage to the coral ecosystem has serious implications for all the countless species that depend on it for their survival. Let us explore the ecological effects of coral reef damage and the environmental laws, which protect them in a little detail."

Tags:fishing, tourism, algae, eutrophication

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)"

Tags:marine, biology, microorganisms, toxins, ecosystem

Abstract
This paper discusses the different kinds of coral reefs that exist. The author explains the various ways that coral reefs are formed, along with the factors that contribute to the growth of coral reefs. In addition, the author also analyzes the various theories centering around the formation of coral reefs.

From the Paper
"There are three different types of reefs. These are the fringing reef, the barrier reef, and the atoll. The fringing reef is a coral reef that attaches to the margins of islands and continents. It consists of several types of corals without any predominant type. It is surrounded by a few corals that are separated from the island or continent by areas of sand. The fringing reef forms an area along the shore and along the margins of the island where colonies of coral can grow. These reefs begin to grow below the low water mark and extend seaward. The fringing reef is always attached to the margin of the island or continent, and the edge lying sea?ward is not separated from the main land by a lagoon."

Tags:atoll, barrier, control, criticism, daly, darwin, fringing, glacial, growth, ocean, oceanography, problems, reginald, science, subsidence, sunlight, theories, theory, weaknesses