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.

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.

Finding credible internet sources for your research paper on coral reefs can be done by following these steps:

1. Use academic search engines: Start by using academic search engines such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, or ResearchGate to find scholarly articles and research papers relating to coral reefs. These sources usually provide reliable and up-to-date information for academic purposes.

2. Use reputable websites: Look for reputable websites that focus on marine biology, oceanography, or environmental science. Websites from trusted organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or Ocean Conservancy often have educational resources and reports on coral reefs.

To help you get started, here are two internet sources that can provide valuable information on the questions mentioned:

1. "Coral Reefs" by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): The NOAA website is a reputable source for information on various topics related to the oceans. This page provides an overview of coral reefs, including the process of formation, locations where they are commonly found, different types of coral reefs, and the importance of coral reefs as ecosystems. Additionally, it discusses the plants and animals that live in coral reefs and the threats faced by these habitats. (Source: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral02_zooxanthellae.html)

2. "Coral Reef Conservation Program" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA's website offers information on the conservation efforts aimed at protecting coral reefs. This page discusses the importance of coral reefs from an environmental, economic, and cultural perspective. It addresses the threats facing coral reefs and highlights the measures taken by governments and individuals to protect and restore these ecosystems. (Source: https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs)

Remember, when using internet sources, ensure that the information comes from reputable organizations or experts in the field to ensure accuracy and credibility. Double-check the information against other reliable sources when possible.

Lastly, don't forget to properly cite your sources using the appropriate formatting style (such as APA or MLA) to give credit to the authors and avoid plagiarism.