Context:
Highest Ocean Heat in Four Centuries places Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in danger: Study
Corals:
- Marine invertebrates
- Formed by the mutualistic relationship between corals and algae –
- Corals – Supply compounds for photosynthesis to the zooxanthellae.
- Zooxanthellae – Supply the coral with organic products of photosynthesis which are utilized by the coral polyps for synthesis of their calcium carbonate skeletons and are responsible for the unique and beautiful colors of corals.
- Favourable Conditions –
- Warm tropical oceans with minimum temperature of 20° C (30° N and 25° S latitudes)
- Oceanic water free of sedimentation
- Transparent parts of ocean bodies
- Relatively low salinity ocean bodies
- Types – Fringing reefs, Barrier reefs, Atolls
- Global distribution – More than one-third of world’s coral reefs are located in territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
Source: New York Times
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
2. More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
