Declan de Mamiel (1033575)Coral reefs are the oldest marine ecosystems, the youngest are around 10,000 years old, and are often called the tropical forests of the ocean. Typically found in shallower tropical waters, these areas have high nutrient availability and access to sunlight necessary for the photosynthesis process. Coral reefs are among the most complex and biodiverse ecosystems, spanning approximately 284,300 km2 (Spalding & Ravilious et al., 2001), supporting 25% of all marine life. An increase in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is occurring due to population growth and the burning of fossil fuels, which is a major cause of climate change. The planet's average temperature is increasing, with 71% of Earth being water; Our ocean temperatures are greatly affected. The optimal temperature for a reef to maximize its productivity is between 26 and 27°C. Very few reefs exist in waters below 18°C, one example is a reef in the Persian Gulf, adapting to water temperatures as low as 13°C in winter. Not only do reef systems provide essential nutrients and shelter for a range of marine species, they also provide important economic and cultural benefits to society. Any threat to this unique and diverse system would have far-reaching consequences not only for the marine environment, but also for society. Therefore, a better understanding of the effects of climate change beyond the effects of temperature arguably needs to be explored to preserve coral reefs for the future. There are several species of corals that make up these reef systems, on which the dynamics of these reefs depend. on many abiotic factors, including location, temperature, water depth, tidal range, and water clarity. Coral reefs are f...... middle of paper ......nge-can-affect-the-reef/ocean-acidification [Accessed: May 10, 2014].Kleypas, J. & Yates, K (2009). Coral reefs and ocean acidificationHeldmaier, G. & Jackson, R. (2008). Coral bleaching. Dordrecht: SpringerJones, R., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Larkum, A. and Schreiber, U. (1998). Temperature-induced coral bleaching begins with an alteration of the CO2 fixation mechanism in zooxanthellae. 21 (12), 1219--1230. Ban, N., Picard, C., Vincent, A. and CJ, A. (2009). Compare and integrate community and scientific approaches to prioritize marine areas to protect. 23 (4), 899--910. Fraschetti, S., Guarnieri, G., Bevilacqua, S., Terlizzi, A., Boero, F. and O (2013). Protection improves community and habitat stability: evidence from a Mediterranean marine protected area. 8 (12), 81838. Feely, R., Sabine, C. and Fabry, V. (2006). Carbon dioxide and our ocean heritage. 1