Recently， two-thirds coral reefs in the world are facing albino① or other forms of destruction， so that the biodiversity② is under serious threat.
Excessive fishing， especially widespread application of kinds of fishing and trawling nets， adding to pollution and geological subsidence③ make more than a quarter of the world’s coral reefs facing threat. Meanwhile， due to erosion from a marine animal called spike crown fish， coral is in a huge survival dilemma④. The most serious threat is from global warming， which makes a large number of seaweeds which provide nutrition for coral polyps’ death， resulting in 40% of the corals bleaching and whitening. Albino phenomenon promotes the original seabed flowers become pale， eventually to death.
Although Ecological Protection Areas have been established in Great Barrier Reef of Australia and other districts， scientists are in despair that efforts to prevent coral reefs being degraded are still behind the process of destruction to coral reefs. The massive coral bleaching and death have already destructed breached 16% of the global corals. In 2002， there are 400 areas of coral reefs became whitening， and it is human activities that result in coral facing the threats， which is a warning that nature gives to mankind.
It is impossible to determine coral’s natural reaction according to changing climate. Because the phenomenon that coral reefs are bleaching will not be changed within the next 20 years. Some scientists also have warned that corals of Great Barrier Reef in Australia famous scenic spot are becoming whitening and dying because of the warming climate， even that the submarine wonders will disappear 50 years later.
Looked like plant， the carol actually is a kind of animal. One carol is formed with thousands of carol millions of thousands of carol polyps. The living corals are colorful in seawater and have a beautiful name as “Seabed Flowers”. The white corals seen in daily life are only the bones left after death.
① albinon. 白化病者
② biodiversityn. 生物多样性，生物歧异性，生物庞杂度
③ subsidencen. 沉淀，平静
④ dilemman. 困境，进退两难［C］
“海底之花”还能开多久
目前世界上有三分之二的珊瑚礁正面临白化或其它形式的破坏，生物多样性正受到严重威胁。
由于过度的渔业生产，特别是各类捞网和拖网的广泛应用，以及污染和地质沉降作用等原因，全球有超过四分之一的珊瑚礁面临威胁。同时，由于一种叫做棘冠星鱼海洋生物的侵蚀，使珊瑚生存陷入巨大困境。但最严重的威胁来自于全球气候变暖，这使得为珊瑚虫提供营养的海藻大量死亡，从而导致40％的珊瑚褪色白化。白化现象使原先的海底之花变得苍白，最终导致死亡。
目前虽已在澳大利亚大堡礁和其它地区建立了生态保护区，但是科学家们仍感叹，阻止珊瑚礁退化的努力还落后于珊瑚礁被破坏的进程。大规模的珊瑚白化和死亡已破坏了全球16％的珊瑚。2002年就有400多处珊瑚礁出现了白化现象，这是自然界给人类的一个警告，正是由于人类活动而使珊瑚面临如此的威胁。
要想确定珊瑚对气候变化所做的自然反应看来是不可能的，因为在未来的二十年内，珊瑚礁退化现象还将无法得到改变。还有科学家警告说，澳大利亚著名风景区大堡礁的珊瑚正因气候变暖而大片大片白化死亡，50年后这个海底奇观将消失。
珊瑚看起来像植物，实际上是一种动物。一块珊瑚是由成千上万亿个珊瑚虫组成的。活的珊瑚，在海水中色彩斑斓，有“海底之花”之美喻。我们日常所见到的白色珊瑚是珊瑚死后留下的残骸与骨骼。
