liminfoCoral Reef Reference
Free reference guide: Coral Reef Reference
About Coral Reef Reference
The Coral Reef Reference is a comprehensive, searchable guide covering 26 key topics across coral reef biology, ecology, threats, monitoring, and conservation. It includes detailed entries for major hard coral genera such as Acropora, Porites, Pocillopora, Montipora, and Fungia, as well as soft corals and gorgonians, with growth rates, habitat depths, reproduction strategies, and identification tips for each.
Beyond taxonomy, this reference covers critical ecological concepts like zooxanthellae symbiosis, coral calcification and growth processes, reef geomorphological types (fringing, barrier, atoll), and coral reproduction through mass spawning and brooding. It also addresses major threats including coral bleaching, ocean acidification, Crown-of-Thorns Starfish outbreaks, eutrophication, and physical damage from storms and human activities.
For field researchers and marine biologists, the reference provides detailed descriptions of standard monitoring methodologies including Line Intercept Transect (LIT), Point Intercept Transect (PIT), quadrat surveys, coral health rating scales, and thermal stress indicators like Degree Heating Weeks (DHW). Conservation entries cover coral transplantation techniques, Marine Protected Area management, and global reef distribution data.
Key Features
- Detailed profiles for 6 major coral genera including Acropora, Porites, Pocillopora, Montipora, and Fungia with growth rates and habitat data
- Coral bleaching mechanisms explained with DHW thresholds, recovery timelines, and mass bleaching event history
- Standard field survey methods (LIT, PIT, quadrat) with protocol details and measurement formulas
- Ocean acidification science including pH projections, aragonite saturation impacts, and calcification rate reductions
- Coral health rating system from healthy through pale, bleached, partial mortality, to old dead categories
- Conservation strategies covering fragment transplantation, micro-fragmentation, coral gardens, and MPA management
- Filterable by 6 categories: Hard Corals, Soft Corals, Reef Ecology, Threats, Monitoring, and Conservation
- Bilingual Korean/English support with full scientific terminology in both languages
Frequently Asked Questions
What coral genera does this reference cover?
The reference includes detailed entries for Acropora (staghorn coral, 150+ species, fastest growing at 5-15 cm/year), Porites (massive coral, centuries-old colonies), Pocillopora (cauliflower coral), Montipora (plate coral, 85+ species), and Fungia (free-living mushroom coral), plus soft corals and gorgonians.
How does the coral bleaching entry explain thermal stress?
The bleaching entry covers the mechanism of zooxanthellae expulsion when water temperature rises 1-2 degrees C above normal, recovery timelines of 4-12 weeks if temperature normalizes, mortality risk after 4-8 weeks of sustained bleaching, and historical mass bleaching events in 1998, 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2020.
What monitoring methods are included?
The reference covers three standard survey methods: LIT (Line Intercept Transect) using 50m tapes with genus-level identification, PIT (Point Intercept Transect) recording substrate every 50cm for 100 points per transect, and quadrat surveys using 1m x 1m grids with photo analysis via CPCe software.
Does it explain Degree Heating Weeks (DHW)?
Yes, the temperature monitoring entry explains DHW as a cumulative thermal stress index calculated from weekly mean SST minus the Maximum Monthly Mean (MMM) climatology. DHW of 4 indicates bleaching likelihood, while DHW of 8 signals mass bleaching and mortality risk. It also references NOAA Coral Reef Watch for real-time monitoring.
What conservation techniques are described?
The conservation section covers fragment transplantation (50-80% survival rates), micro-fragmentation (sub-1cm fragments), larval settlement on artificial substrates, coral garden nurseries, and Marine Protected Areas with their documented effects of 2-3x biomass and 20-30% species diversity increases.
How is ocean acidification explained?
The entry details the pH decline from pre-industrial 8.2 to current 8.1, the chemical mechanism (CO2 + H2O producing carbonic acid), resulting aragonite saturation decrease causing 14-30% reduction in coral calcification rates, and projections of pH 7.7-7.8 by 2100 under RCP 8.5 scenarios.
Can I use this reference for academic fieldwork?
Absolutely. The reference follows established protocols used in marine biology research, including AIMS-standard coral identification methods, WOCE-compatible monitoring techniques, and internationally recognized coral health assessment criteria. All entries include proper scientific nomenclature.
Is this reference available in Korean?
Yes, the entire reference is fully bilingual with Korean and English versions. The Korean version uses standard Korean marine biology terminology alongside scientific Latin names, making it suitable for Korean researchers and students studying coral reef ecosystems.