Biodiverity-Coral Ecosysem Context

Biodiversity refers to an ecosystem that consist of various species, living in a specific area. Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the sea. Coral reefs are often referred to as the “rainforest of the sea” as they host a vast array of marine life, but in a relatively small geographical area. It is estimated that coral reefs may host over 1 million species, with as many as 8 million species potentially inhabiting these ecosystems (Adey, 2000). Coral reef ecosystems encompass not just the coral polyps themselves, but also the diverse array of algae, sponges, fish, invertebrates, and microbes that collectively create a complex and interconnected ecosystem (Adey, 2000).

The high biodiversity of coral reefs is critical to their overall health and function. As coral reefs face increasing pressures from climate change, pollution, and other human impacts, protecting this biodiversity is essential to maintaining the health and function of these critical habitats. This biodiversity gives rise to intense species competition, leading corals and other reef organisms to develop a diverse array of defensive and offensive chemicals as adaptations (Adey, 2000). Biodiversity is important for key ecological processes that maintain the coral reef ecosystem, such as calcium carbonate production, primary production, predation, nutrient cycling, and bioerosion (Brandl et al., 2019). The rapid loss of biodiversity in coral reef ecosystems could lead to the disappearance of important species and the loss of potentially valuable resources (Adey, 2000). 

References:

1. Biodiversity. (n.d.). https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/biodiversity/
2. Adey, W H. (2000, December 1). Coral Reef Ecosystems and Human Health: Biodiversity Counts!. Springer Science+Business Media, 6(4), 227-236. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1526-0992.2000.006004227.x
3. Brandl, S J., Rasher, D B., Côté, I M., Casey, J M., Darling, E S., Lefcheck, J S., & Duffy, J E. (2019, July 30). Coral reef ecosystem functioning: eight core processes and the role of biodiversity. Wiley-Blackwell, 17(8), 445-454. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2088