Reefs : ancient and valuable

Coral reeds have existed on the planet for approximately 450 million years. Geological evidence, as represented in the fossil record, shows that ancient coral reefs were as complex an ecosystem as modern days reefs.

Present day reefs are considered one of the two most productive natural systems in the world, the other being the tropical rain forests. Both these systems are currently at risk as a result of excessive and negligent use. Coral reefs are increasing in economic value and must be protected. Understanding and care will ensure their survival.

What is a Coral reef ?

Coral reefs are the largest natural structures in the world. They are the result of a remarkable relationship between coral animals, known as polyps, and microscopic algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues. The polyp, resembling a small sea anemone. Is able to feed itself using stinging cells found on its tentacles which paralyze passing plankton. The plankton is digested but supplies only a small part of the nutritional requirements of the polyp. The remainder comes from the zooxanthellae which convert sunlight, carbon dioxide and their own wastes into oxygen and carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are also used by the polyp to make calcium carbonate in a process known as calcification. This material forms the skeleton if the coral and eventually the framework of what we recognize today as a coral reef. 137 species of coral are found on reefs southern Sinai
 

Soft Corals

Soft corals are octocorals, their colonies are fleshy masses supported by embedded spicules and have numerous polyps extending from them.
Soft corals are abundant on Red Sea Reefs. Often colonizing large ares of the reef face. Some species show a range of colors, Dendronephthya hemprichi can be lilac, apricot, red or various shades of pink. The spicules in the translucent "stems" can be clearly seen.
 

Black Corals

Black corals from large branched colonies of slender, widely spaced branches, Their central skeleton are horny and the polyps possess six tentacles.
The name comes from the black or brown color of the protein that forms the skeleton. Theses corals are extremely hard and cut and polished to make prayer beads and jewelry.
 

Fire Corals

The fire corals are members of the Hydrozoa and not actually a corals.
Their calcareous skeletons often from large plates. The polyps are surrounded by the skeleton and gain access to the water trough pores on the skeleton surface.
The polyps of fire coral are of two types:
normal polyps with mouths and reduced tentacles and thin. Elongated modified polyps. The latter have no mouths but have tentacle-like branches, each tentacle is equipped with a stinging knob.

 
 
 

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