Coral Reefs - Adjustments to natural stress
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Sea level changes over time
Coral reefs have responded to changes in sea level. Keep-up reefs are those most suited to deal with changes to sea level at a particular time. Some reefs have not survived, while others are trying to survive under changed conditions.
Temperature change over time
In response to changes in temperature, coral reefs may be able to adapt to life in warmer sea. Some scientists believe that new species of coral will evolve to cope with the change (this is obviously dependent on the speed of the climate change). Fossil records show that corals have been subjected to warming trends many times and have survived. This does not take into account the added carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is the result of this particular type of climate change.
Cyclones and extreme weather
The effects of cyclones and storms can devastate whole areas of coral reefs. The natural processes involved in breaking down dead organisms ensures that a basis is provided from the growth of new polyp colonies.
Wind and extreme weather events are a form of natural stress. Leeward sides of islands generally have more species diversity than windward sides due to wave energy and reef formations and structures.
Hopes high for some Barrier Reef summer relief
Crown of Thorns Starfish
Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) are a naturally occurring species which at times increase in numbers and become a problem. They suffocate the corals and cause coral bleaching. In small numbers the reefs can recover from COTS, but in large numbers COTS can decimate whole reefs.
Fears crown of thorns starfish plague will wreak havoc on Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
The northern part of the GBR is affected by the Trade Wind Drift, while the southern part of the reef is influenced by the East Australian Current. Movement of water brings in warm salty water from equatorial regions, contributing to biodiversity (movement of species is also helped by movement of water). The movement of water has also shaped the underwater landforms of the GBR.
In the ancient past the GBR was affected by tectonic movement of the continental plate. The types of corals present in the area would have first colonised the area as the plates were moving through warm tropical areas, and then moved southwards. GBR is now located in a tectonically stable environment.
Coral reefs have responded to changes in sea level. Keep-up reefs are those most suited to deal with changes to sea level at a particular time. Some reefs have not survived, while others are trying to survive under changed conditions.
Temperature change over time
In response to changes in temperature, coral reefs may be able to adapt to life in warmer sea. Some scientists believe that new species of coral will evolve to cope with the change (this is obviously dependent on the speed of the climate change). Fossil records show that corals have been subjected to warming trends many times and have survived. This does not take into account the added carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is the result of this particular type of climate change.
Cyclones and extreme weather
The effects of cyclones and storms can devastate whole areas of coral reefs. The natural processes involved in breaking down dead organisms ensures that a basis is provided from the growth of new polyp colonies.
Wind and extreme weather events are a form of natural stress. Leeward sides of islands generally have more species diversity than windward sides due to wave energy and reef formations and structures.
Hopes high for some Barrier Reef summer relief
Crown of Thorns Starfish
Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) are a naturally occurring species which at times increase in numbers and become a problem. They suffocate the corals and cause coral bleaching. In small numbers the reefs can recover from COTS, but in large numbers COTS can decimate whole reefs.
Fears crown of thorns starfish plague will wreak havoc on Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
The northern part of the GBR is affected by the Trade Wind Drift, while the southern part of the reef is influenced by the East Australian Current. Movement of water brings in warm salty water from equatorial regions, contributing to biodiversity (movement of species is also helped by movement of water). The movement of water has also shaped the underwater landforms of the GBR.
In the ancient past the GBR was affected by tectonic movement of the continental plate. The types of corals present in the area would have first colonised the area as the plates were moving through warm tropical areas, and then moved southwards. GBR is now located in a tectonically stable environment.
The video above discusses how organisms adjust to the different zones of the reef.