Research Paper

I need to write a research paper on coral reefs. i need to compose a research paper that deals with coral reefs and addresses enough of the questions below in order to meet the minimum page requirements for the paper (3-4 double spaced pages)

Explain what a coral reef is and how it is created.
Discuss the locations where coral reefs are commonly found and why this environment is important to its growth and development.
List the different types of coral reefs and discuss what the different types of corals are.
Describe some of the types of plants and animals that live in coral reefs.
Explain five ways that coral reefs benefit human beings.
Discuss three major threats to coral reefs.
Discuss the issue of protecting and restoring these unique and valuable ecosystems. What are governments doing to protect coral reefs? What an you do to protect coral reefs? List any possible alternatives to create new coral reefs.

i also need 4 sources. one is my book. and one is another book that i will get from the library. can someone please help me get two good internet sources, that contain information from these questions.

thank you.
Environmental Science - y912f, Monday, March 15, 2010 at 3:41pm
Explain what a coral reef is and how it is created.

Coral reefs are limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals called coral polyps. Coral polyps secrete skeletons of limestone which slowly accumulate and form coral reefs.

Discuss the locations where coral reefs are commonly found and why this environment is important to its growth and development.
Corals live only in clear and warm salt water where there is enough light for photosynthesis, so coral reefs are found in shallow, tropical seas.

List the different types of coral reefs and discuss what the different types of corals are.
Describe some of the types of plants and animals that live in coral reefs.
Thousands of species of plants and animals live in the cracks and crevices of coral reefs, which makes coral reefs among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Because of their convoluted shape, reefs provide habitats for a magnificent variety of tropical fish, and for snails, clams, and sponges.

Explain five ways that coral reefs benefit human beings.

Discuss three major threats to coral reefs.
An estimated 27 percent of the coral reefs in the world are in danger of destruction from human activities. If the water surrounding a reef is too hot or too cold or if fresh water drains into the water surrounding a reef, the corals may die. If the water is too muddy, polluted, or too high in nutrients, the algae that live within the corals will either die or grow out of control. If the algae grows out of control, it may kill the corals.
Oil spills, sewage, pesticides, and silt runoff have been linked to coral-reef destruction. Furthermore, over fishing can devastate fish populations and upset the balance of a reef’s ecosystem. Because coral reefs grow slowly, a reef may not be able to repair itself after chunks of coral are destroyed by careless divers, fisheries, shipwrecks, ships dropping anchor, or people breaking off pieces of it for decorative items or building materials.

Discuss the issue of protecting and restoring these unique and valuable ecosystems. What are governments doing to protect coral reefs? What an you do to protect coral reefs? List any possible alternatives to create new coral reefs.

This site explains how to do an internet search and find reliable sites.

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

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To find internet sources that contain information related to your research paper on coral reefs, you can follow these steps:

1. Use a search engine (such as Google) and enter relevant keywords related to your research topic, such as "coral reefs," "types of coral reefs," "plants and animals in coral reefs," or "threats to coral reefs."

2. Look for reputable sources such as government websites (e.g., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA), educational institutions, and scientific organizations. These sources often provide accurate and reliable information.

3. Check the credibility and reliability of the sources by looking for key indicators such as author credentials, publication date, and references or citations included in the article.

4. Select two internet sources that provide comprehensive and reliable information on the different aspects of coral reefs mentioned in your research paper questions. Make sure the information aligns with your research objectives and is supported by scientific evidence.

To provide an example, here are two internet sources that you can explore for your research paper:

1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program Website: This website provides a wealth of information on various aspects of coral reefs, including their creation, distribution, types, biodiversity, and the threats they face. It also discusses conservation efforts and restoration initiatives undertaken by governments and organizations. (URL: coralreef.noaa.gov)

2. The Nature Conservancy - Coral Reefs: The website of The Nature Conservancy offers information on the importance of coral reefs, the biodiversity they support, and the environmental threats they face. It also provides insights into efforts to protect and restore coral reefs, including community-based conservation approaches and alternative strategies to create new coral reefs. (URL: nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/coral-reefs/)

Remember to carefully read and analyze the information provided by these sources to extract relevant content for your research paper. Cite the sources properly using the appropriate referencing style required by your academic institution.