The Crown of Thorns is a major predatory threat to the reef as well, and has left many experts in the dark. It is common knowledge that outbreaks occur, and large segments of reef are lost forever. What is unknown, is why or how the outbreaks come about. The COT (crown of thorns) is actually an "echinoderm," literally meaning "star-shaped." It is quite a hardy species and protects itself against predators with it's poisonous spines. You can view a picture and more in-depth reading by clicking the following link;
http://www.aims.gov.au/monmap/COTSPage/C...
These outbreaks are not a new phenomenon and have had the attention of experts for some forty years now. There have been debates over their destruction including weather patterns and nutrient overloads. This is a definite possibility since other outbreaks like the red tides are brought about in this manner. Amazingly it is not impossible for outbreaks to exceed a year and then end very abruptly. You can view a graph depicting past and present outbreaks by clicking the following link;
http://www.aims.gov.au/monmap/COTSAnimat...
"The history of the universe, the history of the planet, the geological history of the reef long before humans, the coming of reef life then human life to this place - all these different experiences of significance, purpose, and beauty from the lifeless to the highly evolved may feed into a new way of knowing the reef, a way that I'd like to think will prove vital and necessary for it's continued existence." So to end with one last reminder, that it only takes less than one-quarter of the amount of time to destroy it, than it took to form it. So the future fate of the reef truly lies in our understanding and protection.
1. The Evolution Book, Sara Stein, 1986, Workman Publishing Co.
2. Reefscape, Rosaleen Love, 2001, Joseph Henry press
3. Animal, Smithsonian Institution - David Burnie and Don E. Wilson (editors-in-chief), 2001, Dorling Kindersley Limited
