In some areas of the world, coral reefs are dying. Pollution, tourism and fishing all pose hazards to what are relatively fragile ecosystems. No doubt there are some isolated coral reefs which are thriving.
Coral reefs are made up of coral, the shell-like structures that the tiny sea animals build as their "houses". Each year, a living coral reef builds a new layer of coral; you might think of it as the collected skeletons of all the previous inhabitants of the reef. (Except that for coral, their "bones" are on the outside.)
Interesting question - as coral reefs are submerged, measuring rainfall is nearly impossible.
Fish from coral reefs feed about 30-40 million people every year. They protect coasts from stong current, hurricanes and waves.
They are important to humans because animals in the corals reefs can be used to make medical drugs that help cure diseases, they can provide food for more that 1million people, and some lime stone reefs can be used for human bone grafts.
Coral reefs are all in tropical waters, so they would be warm all the year round, but, yes, they do have seasonal changes.
The seasons in coal reefs are warm all year round all of the time.
Coral supports commercial and subsistence fisheries, as well as jobs and businesses through tourism. Globally coral reefs provide a staggering $9.6 Billion/year in tourism, and $5.7 Billion/year in fisheries.
The average yearly precipitation in the coral reef biome is typically low, as coral reefs are found in tropical and subtropical regions where rainfall is often seasonal. Precipitation levels can vary depending on the specific location of the reef, but on average, coral reefs receive around 50-100 centimeters (20-40 inches) of rainfall per year. This relatively low precipitation is balanced by high evaporation rates in these warm, sunny regions.
Various coral species are facing the risk of extinction due to factors such as climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, and destructive fishing practices. Some of the coral species that are particularly vulnerable include Staghorn coral, Elkhorn coral, and Pillar coral. Conservation efforts such as coral restoration and protection of marine habitats are vital to help prevent their extinction.
The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish threatens coral life because it eats coral. This is typically natural, but when overbred, such as on the Great Barrier Reef, they eat the coral, leaving it void of life. Typically the coral regrows itself, but when the starfish is in overabundance, it passes back over the young coral, not giving it time to recooperate. Thus, the coral reefs cannot support life, damaging the ecosystem.
The amount of precipitation received by a coral reef can vary depending on its location, but on average, coral reefs receive around 1,500-2,000 millimeters of rainfall per year. This precipitation is crucial for providing the necessary nutrients and freshwater to support the diverse marine life within the reef ecosystem. Additionally, the timing and distribution of rainfall play a significant role in the health and resilience of coral reefs in response to environmental stressors.
Various habitats are being destroyed, including rainforests, coral reefs, wetlands, and forests. These destructions are mainly due to activities such as logging, mining, agriculture, and urban development. As habitats are destroyed, many species lose their homes and are at risk of extinction.