Lifeline
of the Sea
Coral Reefs What are they?
Coral reefs contain the most diverse marine ecosystmes and make-up less than 4% of the surface of the ocean. They form as coral grows in shallow water near the shore.
One-forth off all marine species depend on coral reefs for food and shelter.
There are different types of coral reefs: Fringe Reefs and Atolls.
Quickest rate of growth: six inches per year. Only grow in waters with a temperature of 70-85°F.
The Great Barrier Reef:
The most famous reef if the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. It is home to 300+ species and is the largest coral reef in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Benefits
Coral Reefs are important to our society as a whole. The value of the resources we receive from the reefs amounts to arounf 172 billion dollars each year. Coral reefs provide food and shelter: Many fish that we consume take shelter in reefs (1/5 of our protein). Harvesting: we harvest shells, coral, and tropical fish from reefs.
Enivronmental: Coral Reefs provide protection to shorelines from storms and hurricanes. Serve as breakwaters.
Tourism: Coral Reefs brought Florida $1.6 billion in 1997 alone.
Medicinal: Organisms that inhabit coral reefs are used for antidepression drugs and other biomedical applications. Coral can be used to repair broken bones.
Cutting the Lifeline There are 5 major factors that are seriously effecting the health and growth of coral reefs around the world. People:
Overfishing/harvesting:
Human activites such as industrial development, pollution/dumping of toxic waste, and harbor activity negatively effects the health of reefs.
Leads to the decline of species and a depletion of resources. Disrupts the reef-ecosystmes. Cause scarring in the reef from boats and divers.
Human populations tend to be greater near reefs due to tourism, but this interferes with the reef ecosystem.
Invasive species: Invasive speciesm such as the lion fish, distrupt the natural processes of the ecosystem leading to its decline.
Runoff: Runoff from lawns sewage, and farms leads to sedimentation and feeds the algae, in turn overwhelming the reefs.
Climate Change
Climate change is the leading cause of the decline of coral reefs. Rising Temperatures: As a result of climate change, ocean temperatures has been on the rise. As temperatures rise, there is a lose of microscopic algae that coral uses as a food source. Temperatures at least 2 degrees F above the normal season begin to kill colonies.
Ocean Acidification: Ocean acidification is linked to the rise of carbon dioxide levels in the oceans’ waters. Just like rising temperatures, ocean acidification kills the microscpoic algae consumed by coral. This results in the coral being unable to build its calcium carbonate skeleton. Severe levels can result in the breakdown of existing skeletons.
Coral Bleaching: Due to ocean acidification and rising temps,. killing off the symbiotic algae known as zooxanthellae, the living tissue of coral turns white from the depleation and becomes brittle. In 1998, 80 percent of the coral reefs in the Indian Ocean were bleached, resulting in 20% dying.
Impact As coral reefs decline around the globe, human activities and the environement are effected in irreversable ways.
Environmental:
Society:
the death of coral reefs results in the loss of breakwaters and lower coastal protection.
As reefs die, locations will see a decrease in revenue from tourism.
without the protection from reefs, locations see the increase of damage from floods and hurricanes.
without the protection from floods, there will be more damage to properties and locations along the coast.
loss of species and biodiversity.
the loss of species will result in less resources for fishing.
Past History: Since the 1870s, about half of the coral that covers the reefs aross the world has been lost. Due to their vulnerablility to higher temperatures, coral reefs are expected to continue to deline to less then 1% coverage with less recovery time. Some reefs in Hawaii have experienced the dissolving of coral due to ocean acidification.
Saving the Lifeline In order to protect the coral reefs we still have, people can take action at both the local and national levels.
Local Level: Go green. Travel by walking, carpooling, or bicycling. Lower pollution levels through watching what chemicals you utilize and be aware of where they may end up. Be mindful of the amount of water you use. Volunteer for local clean-up of oceans and beaches.
National Level: Utilize programs such as the Coastal Zone Management Program that was developed by the United Nations Development Programme. Encourage your government to make the local reefs a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We must protect our coral reefs...
Before
it is too
Late Rescources:
https://www.oceanit.com/news/5-ways-to-protect-coralreefs https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-of-globalcoral-reef-distribution-Coral-reefs-are-outlined-in-redSource-UNEP-WCMC_fig1_248385521 https://www.livescience.com/40276-coral-reefs.html https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/corals-andcoral-reefs https://www.leisurepro.com/blog/scuba-dive-destinations/5-worlds-famous-coral-reefs/ https://ipbes.net/sites/default/files/ipbes_7_10_add.1_ en_1.pdf?file=1&id=35329&type=node
Sarah McDonald