Coral Reefs have been known to contain the most diverse forms of life on Earth. Scientists have observed how new species of wildlife can thrive on dry land through reproductive isolation, but with recent research underwater shows coral reefs growing in a more interesting way. Since Darwin's discoveries on the Galapagos Islands, natural selection has played an important role in the formation of numerous coral colonies in areas such as the Caribbean. Michael E. Hellberg, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at LSU, has noted that when coral is at its larval stage, this unique animal can cover large distances of water and adapt to numerous environments. With coral being so diverse, the animals and plants that tag along essentially claim the coral colonies for their own home.The survival of coral reef populations depend on the creatures that take care of them. Recent studies by the National Science Foundation have shown underwater footage of certain kinds of fish feeding off of harmful seaweed that attached to the coral reefs. One of the fish that the scientists who experimented with the video recordings was a unicornfish, which took off harmful brown algae from the coral. With this and three other crucial species of fish, scientists are worried that over fishing may affect the environment of the coral reefs that depend on herbivores to cleanse them of toxins.
NOS themes:
- Role of chance- Coral reefs depend on the right amount of organisms and environmental factors to influence their rate of growth.
- Science is based on evidence- There is evidence based off of the research conducted by the Department of Biological Sciences, that coral travel across oceans by drifting and flowing with local currents.
Link to article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130206162325.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment