Coral Reefs
by Maire B Estar
The Great Maya Reef is the largest reef in
North America and ranks second in size globally behind the
Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. It's northern
extremity begins off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula
at Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres. From there it extends 197
miles south_past Cancun and through the coastal waters of
the State of Quintana Roo where it passes alongside the
Central American countries of Belize and Honduras. It is
an ecosystem within itself, with diverse and abundant forms
of sea life, and yet, part of a greater system of rich coral
zones that thrive within the Caribbean Sea.
The
rocky coasts of the tropical band of the American continent
and the Caribbean Islands are an ideal habitat for the growth
of numerous species of hard corals and other encrusting
and building organisms. The constant development of these
creatures leads to the formation of fringing barriers that
come between the coast and the open sea. The coral reefs
develop in waters of incredible clarity where a scarce quantity
of nutrients exist. If not for the existence of the reefs,
the water would be an enormous "blue desert".
The reefs extend toward the sea until depth or lack of a
rocky base make it impossible for them to grow. The Great
Maya Reef is one of these "fringing barriers",
as are the numerous coral beds that are readily found near
the shoreline. These reefs provide shelter for the majority
of fish species and crustaceans that inhabit the coastal
waters. Their beds are easy to explore_even for those who
snorkel_because of the short distance that separates them
from the coast. In the calm waters of a bay, you can traverse
from beach to coral reef in a matter of minutes. En route
to the reef you will pass along scattered blocks of coral,
which are thriving communities of diverse sea life in the
otherwise barren and transparent waters. The ecosystems
with the most abundant forms of life on earth are those
ecosystems of the coral reef. While exploring a reef in
the Caribbean, you will find that in the areas closest to
the surface where the corals are battered by the waves and
affected by the tidal flow, there is an abundance of brain
coral. These irregular rounded colonies cover vast areas
of the sea bed. Out nearer the open sea, one will find areas
of elkhorn acropores_which are named this because their
branches are flattened like the horns of the American elk.
These colonies exist in turbulent areas that are marked
by many fragments of hard coral that cover the sea bed.
More delicate corals appear as the waters become deeper
(4-10 meters). These are bush corals with thin, pointed
branches. Because of their fragility, these corals don't
dominate an area as the brain or elkhorn corals would.
It is these coral reefs that attract millions of visitors
to the Caribbean each year. They are home to more than 600
species of fish and almost 100 types of hard coral. Their
waters are warm, clear and inviting. As you enjoy their
bounty and beauty, it is apparent that they must be protected,
along with the life that they foster. The reefs are made
of living coral which is very delicate and easily destroyed.
Because of this, while diving or snorkeling, please stay
at least 3 feet above the coral. Touching it or knocking
it with a fin could cause a piece of it to break off_and
by keeping at arm's length, you won't disturb the fish.
SOURCES:
Beauty of the Coral Reefs Angelo Mojetta & Andrea and
Antonella
Ferrari Chartwell Books, 2000
Laiguana_Secrets of the Mexican Caribbean, Winter/Spring
1999
Passport-Cancun, Fall/Winter 2000
