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Komodo National Park is covering the three major
islands include Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang and
Padar, and numerous smaller islands together
totaling 603 km2 of land.
The total size of Komodo National Park is
presently 1,817 km2. Proposed extensions of 25
km2 of land (Banta Island) and 479 km2 of marine
waters would bring the total surface area up to
2,321 km2
The
are three main types of tropical coastal marine
ecosystem : Coral Reefs, Sea-grass Beds,
Mangrove Habitats
CORAL REEFS :
Coral reefs are a community of many
different marine plants and animals,
both living and dead. The first reefs
developed about 400 million years ago,
but modern reef have only existed for
some 5 million years. The physical
structure of the reef is mainly made of
limestone from hard coral skeletons;
however the remains of other organisms
that contain calcium carbonate material
also adds to the reef structure (such as
shells of clams, and forms). Over time,
broken bits of coral skeleton and
calcium carbonate material are cemented
together by a type of red coralline
algae and by magnesium calcite particles
found in the sea water.
The reefs of Komodo National Park are an
important habitat for about 1000 species
of fishes, over 250 species of
reef-building corals, and at least 105
species of crustaceans and 70 species of
sponges. Coral reefs are also important
for shore-line protection and are source
of pharmaceutical compounds such as
anti-cancer agents.
Type of Coral Reefs :
FRINGING REEFS, TAKA & SEAMOUNTS,
BARRIER REEFS & PATCH REEFS
SEA-GRASS BEDS :
Sea-grass beds are usually found in
calm, shallow water, between the shore
and a coral reef. They are made up of
seagrasses, which are a type of
flowering plant. Sea grasses are an
important shelter for many young fish
and invertebrates. Many animals eat sea
grass such as turtles, dugongs, molluses
and urchins.
MANGROVES :
Mangroves are a natural physical barrier
against soil erosion and they also
provide a unique eco system. The arial
roots are an important breeding ground,
nursery and shelter for juvenille fish
and shrimp. Mangroves also provide
habitat for crabs, molluses, estuarine
crocodiles and provide rooting/nesting
grounds for many seabirds.
Traditionally, mangroves are a source of
firewood, building materials, tannin,
dyes, medicine and fruit for local
communities.
MARINE PLANTS :
Marina Plants include algae,
sea-grasses, and mangroves. Plants are
an important food source or habitat for
many different reef animals. Marine
plants, like land plants, require
sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce
food for their survival.
MANGROVES :
Mangroves are a special tree that can
live in salty soil or water. Part of the
mangrove root is above the water so that
it can take carbon dioxide from the air.
Some mangroves have seeds that float in
the sea until they find suitable ground
to grow on. Other mangroves have long
pods which germinate on the tree and
then drop into the mud below the parent
tree. Komodo National Park has 18
different kinds of mangrove trees.
FORAMS :
Simple reef-building protozoans (tiny
plant - like animals) that are often
overlooked. They are made up of a blob
of jelly with a hard calcium carbonate
shell. The shell is covered in
protoplasm which can be expanded and
contracted for slow locomotion. The
protoplasm is able to feed on
microscopic organisms, expel waste and
exchange gases. Some forams can float in
the water, others are anchored to the
reef. Broken forams shells make a large
portion of coral sand and limestone.
SEAGRASS (SEAWEED) :
Seagrasses are a modern plant that
produce flowers, fruits and seeds for
reproduction. As their name suggests,
they generally look like large blades of
grass growing underwater in sand near
the shore.
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