Blog 8: Exploring Oceans

 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbNeIn3vVKM

1. The Great Barrier Reef is considered the "largest living structure on Earth".
It's known for its incredible size and biodiversity in several species of animals. Many different types of coral are home to even more types of different animals... The Great Barrier Reef is amazing, from top to bottom!

2. What compound does coral extract from the ocean to make solid tentacles?
Calcium carbonate is extracted from the ocean, the compound that is used to make tentacles. These solid tentacles aid in feeding habits, in which a diet varies from small fish to plankton.


3. How does red algae impact the structure of coral?

Whenever you see pictures of the Great Barrier Reef, you usually see many clumps of various species of coral in one area. These corals are connected and usually grow in size all together. Acting like pink glue, red algae cements several fragments of coral to other coral, creating a humongous structure of different types of coral. If it weren't for red algae, species of coral would just be growing on its own in random spots of the ocean. With the help of this extraordinary red algae, the ocean looks beautiful with colorful coral every inch on the bottom of the ocean.

4. What year did the Great Barrier Reef become a national park?
The Great Barrier Reef became a national site, to be preserved, in 1975. Even though it became a national park, it doesn't necessarily mean it's protected from danger all the time. The environment and fishing are still hazards to the reef, that are trying to be eliminated, all in order to protect the diverse amount of species and life underwater.

5. What percentage of the reef is protected from fishing?
Out of the entire Great Barrier Reef, only 33% of the reef is currently protected from fishing. As you can see, this is a very small portion of water being protected in comparison to the entire Great Barrier Reef.

 
6. How old do scientists believe the CURRENT reef is? The ANCIENT reef? 
Studies have shown that there are two reefs on top of each other located in the Great Barrier Reef, the current one as well as the one buried underneath it. The current reef is thought to be 20,000 years old, and the ancient reef is thought to be about 1/2 million years old! 

The Great Barrier Reef is astonishing in many, many ways... However, it's very old and fragile, and something like this must be protected from all danger in the world. Before you know it, it may disappear... and that could be either today, tomorrow, or in a couple of years. No one knows for sure, so we must act now!