Biological Systems: Coral

Coral reef ecosystems are the most dense ecosystems, in terms of biomass, on this planet and their survival relies on the connection of coral polyps to their structure. Coral depend on their efficient light structure and strong filaments to attach themselves permanently to their site.

“An essential part of this control is the cellular feed-back mechanisms which direct the accretion of material to places where it is most needed, resulting in adaptive structures. The shape of a tree is the history of the forces which were acting on it while it grew.”[i]

The coral is a keystone element in the reef network but also depends on the organisms which hosts upon it for nutrients and in some cases fertilization, much like flowers. The fleshy polyps gather food or light and secrete their calcium byproduct (ions found in seawater) directly to the skeleton below them as an active growth mechanism. Millions of genetically identical polyps may cover one coral head and so the crenellated patterns which appear are dictated by the health and production of the individual polyps and the dynamicity of the wave action of their environment. Environment also dictates what types of bacteria grow on the coral and subsequently what organisms feed or hide amongst the created reef network.






























[ii]
Once a coral dies and only the calcified head remains its crenellated surface becomes a site for the next generation of coral to grasp onto and grow from. Building upon the layers of calcified coral creates a complex living environment which amounts over time to become a haven for even very large organisms. Integration with sea life is extensive as coral systems directly or indirectly support 33% of the ocean's organisms while only actually taking up .02% of the ocean floor. [iii]


The Architecture_

_Form follows Force: dynamic forces have direct impact on the surface / space which they create / alter, both internally and externally.

_Network Strength: reliance on environmental or existing structure as well as inter-coral relationships, order is consequence of forces or interactions levels.

_Module Variety: different species interrelate through similar connection mechanisms allowing for diverse but unified network.

[i] Page 44, Vincent, Julian (essay in Lightness entitled Smart by Nature) [ii] <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Report_on_the_Florida_Reefs%2C_Plate_IV.jpg>
[iii] <http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/Coral/>