Beauty of the Ocean

November 20, 2006

Coral Reef Rescue from Time Magazine for Kids. Coral reefs are one of the most beautiful under water sights you could see, but due to warming of the water they may not survive. As the water gets warmer than normal the coral gets bleached. With high temperatures coral gets stressed and releases algae with no alga the coral loses its color and starves. The coral triangle is an area rich with 75% of the known coral species and 3000 know fish. Researchers think within the next 25 years 60% of the worlds coral could die.

REEF FACTS!! (from http://www.nature.org/joinanddonate/rescuereef/)

  • Fact: Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to 25% of all marine fish species.
  • Fact: 500 million people rely on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods.
  • Fact: Coral reefs form natural barriers that protect nearby shorelines from the eroding forces of the sea, thereby protecting coastal dwellings, agricultural land and beaches.
  • Fact: Without the existence of coral reefs, parts of Florida would be under water.
  • Fact: Coral reefs have been used in the treatment of cancer, HIV, cardiovascular diseases and ulcers.

    • If you’d like to help save the worlds coral reefs you can join Nature.Org and make a donation by clicking here!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    3 Comments | Science, Assignments | Permalink
    Posted by darien6h