Abstract
This paper describes the coral reef ecosystem, briefly discussing its history, structural characteristics, and how it benefits humans. The paper then discusses the current status of coral reefs, explaining how almost all the coral reef ecosystems are threatened because of pollution and over fishing. Finally, the paper talks about what is being done to protect the reefs as well as what still needs to be done.

Introduction
Structural Characteristics
Benefits to Humans
Current Status
What Should be Done?
How is the U.S. Government Helping?
How Can We All Help?

From the Paper
"Coral reefs are one of the oldest ecosystems in the world, existing for more than 450 million years. A coral reef is a type of biotic reef that develops in tropical waters. Coral reefs are found in all oceans of the world, generally between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn because the reef-building corals are living in this waters. A water temperature of 20 to 28?C is needed for growth of the coral reef. Massive reef structures are built over thousands of years by tiny coral polyps aided by minute algae called zooxanthellae that live in their tissues, calcifying algae, and other organisms that secrete calcium carbonate and adhesives. The process of reef formation is heavily dependent upon photosynthesis by reef-building organisms. Once formed, the complex, rock-like reef framework provides food and shelter for the multitudes of organisms that inhabit the reef. "

Tags:free-swimming, larvae, submerged, edges, islands, continents, fringing, barrier, atoll

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 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

Abstract
The paper argues that if we do not take steps now to preserve the coral reefs and protect them from the destructive forces of mankind, we will destroy a complex ocean system that supports marine life and mankind. The paper contends that we must reduce ocean pollution and take steps to prohibit overfishing of our ocean shallows. The paper presents a plan in tabular form that is formulated to address the overfishing and man-made pollutants in the coral reefs.

Outline:
The Threats to the Coral Reefs
The Plan for Preserving the Coral Reefs

From the Paper
"Coral reefs are a system of living organisms found only in the warm benthic shallow ocean water environments along the world's coastlines. The shallow seas where the reefs grow represent just eight percent of the world's oceans, but sustain most of the life found in the sea (BBC/Discovery, film documentary, 2008). The health of the coral reefs is representative of the health of our oceans, and the health of our planet. The health of the coral reefs is impacted by hurricanes, tsunamis, drastic fluctuations in water temperatures, and the presence of mankind. It is a fragile ecosystem, but one that provides $375 billion a year in good, service and industry, and supports as many as 500 million people who are dependent upon the ocean life that can be found only in the coral reefs (Tibbets, John, 2004, p. 472)."

Tags:ocean, pollution, fishing, diving

Abstract
This paper researches the depletion of coral reefs worldwide. The paper first examines how coral reefs are formed. Then the paper discusses the numerous factors that are depleting the reefs, which are: pollution, overfishing, blast fishing, cyanide fishing, temperature changes, sediment runoff, nutrient runoff, shrimp farming, trade in coral and aquarium fish, and clearing of mangrove forests.

Tags:pollution, bleaching, blast fishing

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."

Tags:ecosystem, environmental, Marine, Sanctuary

Abstract
The factors responsible for the reef devastation are directly attributed to human actions. This paper looks at the questions surrounding this destruction and offers many examples of why and what is causing the reef's destruction. In the end, the author recommends ways in which the destruction may be halted.

From the Paper
"For the last fifty years marine biologists have chronicled the deterioration and destruction of corals on reef systems worldwide. Coral reefs provide sanctuary for over a fourth of the world's marine fish species and consist of as much biodiversity as tropical rainforests. Unfortunately, both are now disappearing at an astounding rate"

Tags:algae, band, black, bleaching, bloom, coral, disease

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)."

Tags:bulwarks, hurricanes, reefs, toxicity, sedimentation, animals, humans