Coral reefs - a valuable ocean resources because of the beauty and diversity of its indispensability in the ecosystem.Rainforests Sea, also known as the coral reefs, perhaps the most massive and brightest expression of life in the aquatic environment.
They provide refuge for many marine species, serve as a food source for myriad organisms that form the seabed and form portions of insular land.For a man coral reefs are important not only as beautiful objects of nature, which is to enjoy during the holidays, they also protect the coastline from large ocean waves from their skeletons formed important building materials - sand and limestone.
coral ecosystems known as pharmacy of the 21st century.On the basis of beneficial compounds that have been discovered in the biocenosis, established or under development many drugs: antibacterial, restorative, improving digestion, heart, beauty, as well as drugs to treat viral infections, asthma, skin cancer, arthritis.
class coral polyps includes more than 6000 major species.These marine invertebrates can be single or form colonies.They also differ in size, the presence or absence of the skeleton, its shape and composition (lime or protein).Reef same structure capable of forming stony corals squad.
«Stone Gardens" is formed not only these miniature animal organisms.Most coral polyps have a mutually beneficial relationship with zooxanthellae unicellular algae that live inside the cells of invertebrates.It is believed that these autotrophic protozoa are also involved in building coral skeleton.An important role is played in the reef formation and other algae - lime, they perform several functions: create a skeleton of the reef, cement various injuries and supply loose material.Value for rifostroeniya have some animals and organisms, namely the representatives of certain families of mollusks, polychaetes and sponges.
interesting mechanism of power polyps.About 90% of organic substances which form microscopic algae zooxanthellae photosynthesis, is transferred to the host tissue.The second type of food - outside.Coral polyps can capture and absorb prior stunning stinging cells victim - a microscopic zooplankton and small fish.
Reproduction coral polyps can occur in two ways: sexual and asexual.Isolation of male and female gametes also occurs in two ways.The first, called "broadcast spawn", sperm and eggs in large numbers simultaneously released into the water column.Above the coral reef formed protein "cloud", which attracts a lot of predators that feed on plankton.Gradually larvae polyps planuly, carried by ocean currents.In the second method of sexual reproduction in the water will only include male sex cells floating freely before meeting a female coral.
Asexual reproduction of these creatures is multi-faceted: they can bud in several ways, transversely to share, spread fragments broken off.
Coral reefs - a unique phenomenon of nature, beautiful and unique, but, unfortunately, and very fragile."Rock Gardens" is extremely sensitive to changes in lighting, temperature, salinity and water pollution.
Human activity is one of the most serious threats to the existence of coral colonies, which in recent years discolor and die rapidly.Only the joint efforts of many countries in the world can stop or at least slow down this process.Recently created marine protected areas in which the interaction of the authorities and scientists reduced fishing, and there are special activities for the conservation of reefs.There are also global organization is making efforts to address this issue, they have developed methods of artificial reef formation and growth of coral polyps.
