Help the Crisp Pillow
Coral!
Hello, this is IGL
and this post is about helping the crisp pillow coral. The crisp pillow coral
has an unusual look to it. Because of their intricate ridges around their round
shape, they look much like a human brain (not to confuse with brain coral).
They live in colonies together and grow up to twenty centimeters tall. What
makes the crisp pillow coral so unique is that it is the only species in its
genus (Anomastraea). Their polyps
have many small tentacles that grab for food around them in the water. Their
range is around the East coast of Africa, a small coastal area around Southern
Asia, around some small islands and Madagascar ,
and waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula .
Despite its
brilliant uniqueness, the crisp pillow coral is endangered. Currently, the IUCN
declared it vulnerable. Reasons for its increasing disappearance is all because
of global warming, a man-made issue. The
rising heat causes coral bleaching, which means vital algae for the colonies is
taken away. Now, the corals are vulnerable to harmful diseases. Destructive
storms caused by climate change damages the coral reefs, leaving only few to
survive. Pollution, fishing, human activity, and invasive species introduced by
people also participate in the declining population. A species of starfish
preys primarily on the crisp pillow coral because of loss of other coral reefs,
due to climate change and global warming.
However, there are
many ways for you to help. You could:
- Spread the word. Tell people about the crisis.
- Stop polluting the earth. Use less fossil fuel and save
electricity.
- If you snorkel/reef often, try not to damage the coral
reefs.
- Start a petition and get people to sign it.
Help the crisp pillow coral!
Idea+Gift=Love IGL
