User:Himalayan Edelweiss/Ocean acidification in the Great Barrier Reef
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editThe Great Barrier Reef is a biodiversity hotspot, ranging at over 5480 different species, including but not limited to species of coral, fish, sponges, sea snakes, marine turtles, mollusk, echinoderm, and marine alga. However, the Great Barrier Reef is threatened by ocean acidification and its resulting increased temperature and reduced levels of aragonite (SENTENCE REPHRASE). Elasmobranchs in the Great Barrier Reef are vulnerable to ocean acidification primarily due to their reliance on the habitat and ocean acidification's destruction of coral reefs (WORDY AND UNNECESSARY). Rare and endemic species, such as the porcupine ray, are at high risk as well (ecosystem services? why were they mentioned). Larval health and settlement of both calcifying and non-calcifying organisms can be harmed by ocean acidification (WHY IMPORTANT). PARAGRAPH BRAKE
A predator to coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef, the Crown of Thorns sea star, (WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF TH CROWN PF THORNS SEA STAR ON BIODIVERSITY) has experienced a similar death rate to the coral on which it feeds (isnt this a good thing? need to describe relationship and importance). Any increase in nutrients, possibly from river run-off, can positively affect the Crown of Thorns and lead to further destruction of the coral. PARAGRAPH BREAK
Increasing temperature (DUE TO ACIDITY) is also affecting the behavior and fitness (THEME) of the common coral trout, a very important fish in sustaining the health of coral reefs (EVIDENCE? symbiotic relationship between marine animals and the reef itself)
break article into logical paragraphs
- threatened species (how behavior and fitness has been impacted by acidification and temp) --> importance of species/ecosystem services (EX/ elasmobranchs, porcupine ray, larva and calcifying organisms, common coral trout)
natural threats to biodiversity of reef: crown of thorns sea star and how its impacted by acidification -->