CORALS
Corals are invertebrates , cnidarians , which include hard corals , soft , sea pens , gorgonians , hydroids , sea anemones They share similar structures : a central mouth, tentacles ; cnidarians also possess nematocysts ( stinging organs) , which allow them to capture their prey.
CORALS IN GREAT DANGER
Coral is a complex conglomeration of microscopic algae responsible for the color , and very small animals called polyps. Collaboration or symbiosis is essential to life and coral is particularly vulnerable. At the lower temperature rise, the hunting coral seaweed. This separation leads to coral death . When zooxanthellae disappears , coral turns white : a phenomenon called coral bleaching . Often , coral organisms live in very large numbers and form a coral reef. There are about 800 species of coral in the reefs , which are one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet . In total, these coral reef ecosystems are home to about a quarter of marine diversity . This is huge !
You therefore understand that corals are particularly threatened by climate change, as they are extremely sensitive to temperature increases . An increase of 1 ° C is sufficient to weaken . Corals are then more susceptible to storms damaged by fish , pollution ... Since 1980 , there has been an increase in the number of areas where coral bleaching is found . The year 1998 was disastrous for coral : this year , 16% of corals in the world died.
For now, sit back and enjoy these rare and sublime images.
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