|
|
The coral reef offers a colorful show that
attracts a lot of people. Considered as the world's biggest
natural structure, the coral reef results from the connection of
the polyps (the coral animals) with a microscopic algae that
lives in the polyps` tissues. The polyp has stinging cells
inside its tentacles that help it to feed itself. The polyp
looks like little sea anemone and its stinging cells paralyzes
the plankton that passes. The polyp can digest the plankton but
only a part of the polyp needed nutritionals is supplied. The
zooxanthellae provide the rest and convert the carbon dioxide
and the sunlight, as well as their wastes into carbohydrates and
oxygen. The polyp uses the carbohydrates to produce calcium
carbonate by calcification. The skeleton of the actual coral
reefs is formed by this material. It seems that thousands of
organisms are being provided with shelter and food by the coral
reefs. In Egypt, the coral reefs can be found in the Red Sea`s
resorts as well as in the Sinai's South where are about 137
species. In Hurghada, you can see the coral reefs by taking a
trip with a special boat on islands like Gifrtun. Hurghda has
numerous beautiful coral reefs to which the people have access
trough the trips that are especially organized to see the
corals. Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh or Taba are also places with
wonderful coral reefs. In order to protect the coral reefs of
the Red Sea's Coast from the possible damages produced by the
boats or the yachts of the people that dives, the Red Sea's
governorate took some protection measures. 250 buoys were
installed in diving places from Safaga, Hurghada and other
resorts. The tourists are also advised by the coral reefs guards
what to do to protect the corals. |
|
