Sitemaker. Fishing Industries effects on Coral Reefs. Fishing industries Effects on Coral Reefs. University of Michigan. (Date Accessed: February 14,2013.) www.sitemaker.umich.edu .
Coral reefs are considered to be the oceans’ tropical rainforests. Although they only cover one percent of the ocean floor, they provide a habitat for approximately 25% of all marine life (Painting 2011). So many different species live in coral reefs because they provide both a source of food (directly or indirectly) and give shelter to organisms. Coral reefs also give humans living on tropical coasts a food supply. The thousands of species of fish living in these reefs feed millions of people every year (NOAA 2008).
When a coral undergoes a sharp change in temperature, light, or nutrients, they release the algae living in their tissue, a process called coral bleaching (NOAA 2013). In a well supported and safe habitat, corals are fine. However, with new human made factors including global warming and pollution, coral reefs are bleaching more and more, causing both the coral, and the organisms living in the reef to die (Shah 2011).
One human cause that allows for coral reefs to bleach is deforestation. When trees are cut down for agriculture or infrastructure, the soil on the ground is no longer supported (UWA 2012). This allows for the soil, when it rains, to erode into streams and rivers and eventually, the ocean. Once in the ocean, the soil settles on top of coral reefs, causing the coral to suffocate (Busch Gardens 2002). With the soil sitting over the corals, the corals will react from the significant change in their environment by releasing the algae that is in there tissue and become bleached (NOAA 2013).
In the past four years, ten percent of the world’s coral reefs have died with 25% seriously suffering (Hub Pages 2011). Estimates have been made that within fifty years; only 20% of the world’s coral reefs will be left (University of Michigan).
Healthy Coral
Beinecke, F. (2010) Global Coral Bleaching Another Sign of Global Warming. Switchboard. NRDC. (February 12, 2013.) http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/global_coral_bleaching_another.html.
Bleached Coral
Lemmens, C. (2010) More Coral Bleaching, this Time Around Koh Tao. PADI IDC. (Date Accessed: February 12, 2013.) http://www.pa-divingidc.com/2010/07/more-coral-bleaching-this-time-around.html
Work Cited :
Anthropophobia. (December 2, 2011) Destruction of Coral Reefs. HubPages. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www.hubpages.com .
Busch Gardens. (2002) Longevity and Causes of Death. Sea World/ Busch Gardens Information Database. Sea World/ Busch Gardens. (Date Accessed; February 14, 2013.) www.buschgardens.org .
Destination-Scuba. (2009) Coral reef destruction is threatening our world’s oceans. Destination-Scuba. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www.destination-scuba.com
Exploring the Environment. (March 8, 2004) Coral Reefs. Exploring the Environment. Exploring the Environment. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www.ete.cet.edu .
NOAA. (January 11, 2013) When Corals are stressed by changes in temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. NOAA. NOAA. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www.oceanservice.noaa.gov .
NOAA. Coral Reefs- An important Part of our Future. NOAA. NOAA. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www.noaa.gov .
Radford, T. (September 6, 2001) Coral Reefs ‘face total destruction within 50 years’. The Guardian. The Guardian. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www.guardian.co.uk/ .
Sitemaker. Fishing Industries effects on Coral Reefs. Fishing industries Effects on Coral Reefs. University of Michigan. (Date Accessed: February 14,2013.) www.sitemaker.umich.edu .
Shah, A. (January 16, 2011)Coral Reefs. Global Issues. Global Issues. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www. globalissues.org .
University News. (August 3, 2012) Ancient Coral Reefs at risk from deforestation and land use practices. University News. The University of Western Australia. (Date Accessed: February 14, 2013.) www.news.uwa.edu.au/ .
No matter how political the issue of deforestation and the subsequent coral damage gets, there is always a set of real, on-sight people affected by politicians' decisions. Each set of people have a specific and unique idea of how they solve, or ignore, the supposed deforestation endemic.
The politicians, while generally not affected by the outcome of their decisions, tend to have inherit views in coordinate with their party. It is this way that way with every governmental policy (Student News Daily 2005). Leftists are usually about conserving the forests no matter the economic repercussions (Student News Daily 2005). Rightist believe that the economy comes first; trying to fix ecological problems before economical would cause further problems (Student News Daily 2005). Also, conservatives tend to reject the effects of deforestation while liberals do not (Student News Daily 2005). The succeeding articles are fabricated position pieces by members of these political groups:
Leftists, Liberals, Democrats
Deforestation and the subsequent death of coral reefs should be one of the biggest concerns of today's world leaders. It shouldn't be a debate of politics and economic capability. The loss of trees, while still an extremely pressing matter, isn't the only effect deforestation has. The runoff of dirt from the unrooting is killing coral reefs and damaging the natural beauty. About 60,000 different species live and thrive in coral reefs, and deforestation damages their homes (Stanford College 2012). Humans have made enough impact on the world. We need to stop uprooting the world's precious oxygen creators, and save the reefs. If we don't, how would we possibly live with ourselves knowing that we are killing forest dwellers, a fourth of the world's marine life, and the world (Stanford College 2012). Rain forests used to cover 14% of the world's surface area; they now cover 6% (Rain-Tree.com 1996).
Rightists, Conservatives, Republicans
The U.S economy should be the main focus of America's resources. We are hurting more than we have since the great-depression and there is no sign of it ever slowing down. How would the loggers make money if we stopped tree farming? Also, this isn't just happening in America. We would have to exert a tremendous amount of money and resources we don't have. Also, liberals make deforestation out to be something that it isn't. Since 1960, the forest land in America has increased (U.S Department of Agricultural 2001)(Figure 1). The government needs to focus of getting the economy back on track, not chasing red herrings.
Figure 1. (U.S Department of Agricultural 2001)
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Figure 1. (U.S Department of Agricultural 2001)
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Coral reefs are important for maintaining several ecosystems but many of the land-use practices all across the world are destroying and deteriorating coral reefs. Deforestation and pollution of catchments have some of the deadliest impacts on entire ecosystems (Reef Education Network 2001). While coral reefs themselves can aid in slowing down coastal erosion, they must be able to properly maintain themselves and grow without threat in order to continuously provide stability for both undersea inhabitants and organisms on land (Ithaca 2010). Several solutions to the growing need for defense have already seen use in various locations across the world.
In Australia catchment management programs are being instituted in order to efficiently use the soil and nutrients which were being wasted before. Reformed farming practices and changes in the use of fertilizer are some minor adjustments which have begun to fulfill the new conservation goals (Reef Education Network 2001). Among the most effective new programs are the improvements of sewage systems and an increase in efforts to protect and maintain wetlands and mangroves from erosion (Reef Education Network 2001). Another large part of the programs in Australia is drawing public attention to the issue. By encouraging citizens to think more carefully about the waste they put into sewer systems, the Australian government hopes to vastly cut down on the pollution reaching coastal ecosystems and coral reefs (Reef Education Network 2001).
Areas which are home to many ancient coral reefs, such as Madagascar, are especially at risk from pollution and deforestation (PhysOrg 2012). The large reefs which have built up over centuries are being degraded and deteriorating from the impact of deforestation on the surrounding ecosystems (PhysOrg 2012). Studies in Madagascar have shown that the waste and pollution entering oceans and reef ecosystems causes decline in water quality and does massive damage over time to coral reefs (PhysOrg 2012).
Works Cited
Ithaca. (2010) Coral Reef Ecosystems. (February 6, 2013.) http://www.ithaca.sg/coralreefecosystems.html
PhysOrg. (2012) Ancient Coral Reefs at Risk from Deforestation and Land Use Practices. (February 6, 2013.) http://phys.org/news/2012-08-ancient-coral-reefs-deforestation.html
Reef Education Network. (2001) Catchments and Reefs. (February 6, 2013.) http://www.reef.edu.au/contents/ps/fr_catch.html
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| Reefs at Risk report says coral reef, like this one off Fiji are in danger. The consequences – especially for countries that depend of reefs for food – will be severe. |
Colin, Mark(2011) "Coral reefs report warns of mass loss threat." The Guardian (February 19, 2013.) http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/23/coral-reef-report-dying-danger
Created by:
Grant Bullis '14
Sara Demarsilis '14
Cindy Lim '14
Joey Slivinski '14
Zuriel Wilburn '14
A part of Moofushi's bleached coral reef (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives), damaged by warming sea temperatures. (Giusti 2007)
This link will provide you with all the basics about coral reefs such as coral reef mapping, monitoring and assessment, natural and socioeconomic research and modeling.
This link will explain how the higher temperatures, which can cause the death of symbiotic algae, disturb photosynthesis in the algae.
Human-induced global climate change may be causing an increase in ocean temperatures, thus destroying coral reefs. This link will explain what causes the rapid global climate change.
This link describes the view that researchers, who studied a string of Pacific Ocean's coral reefs, take that coral reefs can be disrupted by people — particularly by fishing.
This link describes the coral reefs, explains their significance, and urges readers to take action immediately.
Works Cited
Giusti, B. (2007) Moofushi Bleached Corals. (Date Accessed: February 12, 2013.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Moofushi_bleached_corals.JPG