natural enemies of the sea star Acanthaster planci , has been one cause 

 of the sudden increase in the number of these animals, which have 

 consumed over hundreds of square kilometers of corals (Endean, 1973). 

 Extensive harvesting of tridacna and trepangs reduces the biof il tration 

 activity of the community and decreases the intensity of processing of 

 bottom sediments. It is therefore necessary to turn the most serious 

 attention to the protection of coral communities as one of the most 

 important biologic systems of the ocean, and of the biosphere as a 

 whole. 



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