![]() ![]() ![]() Until now, we've only touched the surface. The Blue Planet: Seas of Life reveals the sea and its communities at their most fearsome and alluring. We go further out and deeper down to show you things that have never been seen before. The BBC spent five years and $10 million to produce this landmark exploration of the ocean, a world we know less about than the moon. Shimmering schools of brightly colored fish battle for territory in this competitive world where you have to stand out to survive. Bizarrely adorned harlequin shrimp carry off a starfish several times their size, while haunting songs reverberate around the reef, heralding the arrival of humpback whales. Scientists are also testing new ways to help coral reef ecosystems, such as growing coral in a nursery and then transplanting it to damaged areas.Bathed in bright sunlight and warm clear water, the coral reef is a rich oasis of life - the rainforest of the sea. Some areas were hit particularly hard, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, where hundreds of miles of coral were bleached.Ĭorals are able to recover from bleaching events if conditions improve before they die, though it can take many years for the ecosystems to fully heal. During the 2014-2017 coral bleaching event, unusually warm waters (partially associated with a strong El Niño) affected 70% of coral reef ecosystems worldwide. Many of these threats can stress corals, leading to coral bleaching and possible death, while others cause physical damage to these delicate ecosystems. Other threats are caused by people, including pollution, sedimentation, unsustainable fishing practices, and climate change, which is raising ocean temperatures and causing ocean acidification. Some threats are natural, such as diseases, predators, and storms. Unfortunately, coral reef ecosystems are severely threatened. These ecosystems are culturally important to indigenous people around the world. The net economic value of the world’s coral reefs is estimated to be nearly tens of billions offsite link of U.S. Fishing, diving, and snorkeling on and near reefs add hundreds of millions of dollars to local businesses. The reefs take hundreds of years to develop from tiny larvae, and are adorned with spectacularly colourful life. David Attenborough examines the amazingly fragile ecosystems which have grown up around the worlds coral reefs. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection. S1 E6 - The Blue Planet - E06 - Coral Seas. Mammoth series, five years in the making, taking a look at the rich tapestry of life in the worlds oceans. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. The Blue Planet: With David Attenborough, Pierce Brosnan, Peter Scoones. Benefits of coral reef ecosystemsĬoral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. Unlike their shallow water relatives, which rely heavily on photosynthesis to produce food, deep sea corals take in plankton and organic matter for much of their energy needs. Since both partners benefit from association, this type of symbiosis is called mutualism.ĭeep-sea corals live in much deeper or colder oceanic waters and lack zooxanthellae. The algae also help the coral remove waste. In return, the algae produce carbohydrates that the coral uses for food, as well as oxygen. The coral provides a protected environment and the compounds zooxanthellae need for photosynthesis. Shallow water, reef-building corals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which live in their tissues. Conservation Service Corp Act Direct Hiring Authority.Information for NOAA student opportunity alumni.About the education resource collections.NOAA Sea to Sky: Education resource database. ![]() NOAA in your backyard: Education contacts near you. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |