Our beautiful coral reef

What is a
Coral
 A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem
characterized by reef-building corals.
Reefs are formed of colonies of coral
polyps held together by calcium
carbonate. Most coral reefs are built from
stony corals, whose polyps cluster in
groups
 Explore
more about
coral
 Types of
coral

Hard
Soft Coral
Coral

made of a rigid have no

calcium carbonate exoskeletons
 Hard Coral

Hard corals are made of a rigid calcium carbonate (limestone)

and appear very much like rocks. Each polyp secretes a hard
exoskeleton made up of calcium carbonate and a chalky
internal skeleton that stays in place even after they die. As
each generation of polyps dies and their exoskeleton remains,
the coral grows a bit larger and because each polyp is so small,
hard corals grow at a very very slow rate. Hard corals are
scientifically known as “scleractinians”.
 Soft Coral
Soft corals are composed of some
rigid calcium carbonate, but it is
blended with protein so it is less
rigid than hard corals. These corals
are “rooted,” but because they have
no exoskeletons, they sway back
and forth with the currents,
appearing to be more like plants
blowing in the breeze.
 Reefs

Patch
Atolls
reefs

Barrier Fringing
reefs reefs
 Fringing reefs
Fringing reefs grow near the coastline
around islands and continents. They are
separated from the shore by narrow,
shallow lagoons. Fringing reefs are the
most common type of reef that we see.
 Barrier reefs
Barrier reefs also parallel the coastline but are separated by
deeper, wider lagoons. At their shallowest point, they can
reach the water’s surface forming a “barrier” to navigation.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest and most
famous barrier reef in the world.
 Atolls
Atolls are rings of coral that create protected lagoons


and are usually located in the middle of the sea.

Atolls usually form when islands surrounded by
fringing reefs sink into the sea or the sea level rises
around them (these islands are often the tops of
underwater volcanoes). The fringing reefs continue
to grow and eventually form circles with lagoons
inside.
 Patch reefs
Patch reefs are small, isolated reefs that grow up


from the open bottom of the island platform or

continental shelf. They usually occur between
fringing reefs and barrier reefs. They vary greatly in
size, and they rarely reach the surface of the water.
Coral and
Zooxanthellae
Corals are actually living animals—they belong to Cnidaria, the
same group as jellyfish.
Tucked within their tissues are photosynthetic algae cells, called
zooxanthellae.
The two have an important symbiotic relationship, with the coral
providing a home for the zooxanthellae, and the cells repaying by
providing essential nutrients and giving color to the coral.
But unfortunately, there are many threats that strain this
relationship. Ocean acidity, sea level rise, and particularly
increased water temperatures not only affect the health of the
coral, but affect the health of the zooxanthellae.
As the zooxanthellae gets stressed, it leaves the tissue and the
coral begins to pale—what we know as coral bleaching.
 planula

Mature
embryo.
corals

Life cycle of coral

Gametes
mitosis
(egg and sperm)

zygote
Explore more about coral cycle
 Coral reefs in Malaysia
 Coral reefs in Malaysia are about 4,006
km with over 550 species contributed to
nation’s economy.
Why are coral reefs so important?

1. A Coastal Protection

2. An Habitat
3. A food resource
4. An Economic Importance
5. A Tourism Wealth
6. A Medical Future
 Human impacts in coral reefs
in Malaysia
Coral reefs in Malaysia are being damaged
at an increasing rate where it faces natural
and anthropogenic stresses.
 Why corals are dying
Poor to fair conditions of coral reefs in Peninsular Malaysia is
due to increases of sedimentation and tourism impacts.

Damaging activities include coral mining

  

Pollution (organic and non-organic)

Overfishing: Overfishing and fish blasting were main threats of
coral reefs damage in Sabah. In Sarawak, coral reefs are
threatened by high sedimentation and sand mining.
Blast fishing
  

The digging of canals and access into islands and bays. ...
Climate change, such as warming temperatures, causes coral
bleaching, which if severe kills the coral. The 1998–1999 bleaching
event also affected coral reefs in Malaysia due to climate change.
 What should we do to protect
corals
Corals are already a gift, don't give them as presents.
 

Conserve water. The less water you use, the less

runoff and wastewater that will eventually find its way
back into the ocean.
Volunteer in local beach or reef cleanups. If you don't


live near the coast, get involved in protecting your

watershed.
Become an informed consumer and learn how your


daily choices such as water use, recycling, seafood,

vacation spots, fertilizer use, and driving times can
positively (or negatively) impact the health of coral
reefs.
Care for it, before it’s too
late.