True Aquatic Treasure Robert

Baddn-Powell, a famous English soldier who fought a different war for his people, once warned, “We never fail our duty when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it.” While preventing global warming, pollution, or the extinction of certain species has always been the face of environmentalism, loss of biodiversity falls flat in terms of support from environmentalist organizations. However, it nonetheless shares similar significance, as it affects the welfare of one of the most important ecosystems on the planet: the coral reef. This biome not only acts as the habitat for numerous different species, but also protects nearby residents from storm surges and purifies the ocean waters. Additionally, the coral reefs directly support our economy, providing fishermen with diverse variants of fish and giving divers the chance to explore this aquatic treasure without disturbing the wildlife. The importance of coral reefs are set in stone, yet we continue to turn a blind eye from its destruction. How do we neglect the coral reefs’ survival?

One of the greatest reasons for coral reef destruction is climate change, as they are extremely sensitive to minute temperature changes.

According to Corryn Wetzel, a freelance scientific journalist who has appeared in National Geographic, notes that when corals are impacted by environmental stressors, they expel zooxanthellae, a microscopic symbiotic algae, from their tissues. Since this algae is their primary food source, the corals become pale, thus the name, “coral bleaching.” To recover, the corals need to reabsorb the algae, which is only possible after the mitigation of the environmental stressors. The effects of the corals’ death pose a great threat, as the loss of many animals losing their habitat will lead to loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity prominently displays its importance in various places in human civilization. First of all, great biodiversity proves its significance in the face of certain diseases by increasing DNA variation in a certain species. In our world, there are many species that haven’t been discovered or thoroughly researched, which could provide valuable information to medical institutions. Loss of biodiversity may prevent us from having a major breakthrough which could improve healthcare.

Since there are many environmental factors affecting the welfare of coral reefs, there are also many actions we can take to save them. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by simply riding public transportation, buying foodstuffs in bulk, or creating less food waste is a simple but easy way to contribute to resolving this issue. Recycling also helps, as litter that ends up with landfills create air pollution that could be prevented. Participating in ocean cleaning groups or using proper fertilizer to purify the seas will allow the various species of fish living in reefs to survive easier, as high levels of nitrate, which are found in artificial fertilizers, can poison marine wildlife. Researching about your diet beforehand supports the preservation of biodiversity, as you may be unintentionally eating a type of endangered fish. For example, one should abstain from eating parrotfish, as they consume algae off of corals and keep it clean.

Thanks to fervent support from various organizations and individuals, there has been improvement, as researchers observe coral reefs regaining 2% of their cover. Trying to return Earth back to its original state will take a long time, and every person’s effort matters. Maintaining the health of coral reefs will allow us to continue to enjoy the features coral reefs provide us.

Writing & Layout by: Austin Chung

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