Coral Bleaching In Australia

Coral reefs not only protect coastlines and beaches from wave damage and erosion, but also are the basis for the fishing and tourism industries. Dying reefs is a worldwide problem, and evidence shows that 10% of the entire world’s coral has died, and 60% will die by 2020 if existing conditions continue (NOAA 2000). The reason that the Australian Great Barrier Reef is so important is because not only is it the largest barrier reef in the world, but it is also one of the most evolved models of how to best manage and protect the world’s largest reef system (Ornitz 1996). It extends for 2,340 kilometers (km), covers 345,000 square km and contains 2,900 reefs, 300 coral cays and 600 continental islands (White 1999). Historically, it has been ahead of the rest of the world in terms of recognizing and addressing problems associated with reef degradation.

"Coral reefs… are fragile structures living within a narrow range of temperature, clarity, salinity and chemistry. Even a slight increase in ocean temperature, or increased CO2… can cause stresses such as bleaching… These stresses slow the rate of growth of the corrals… With some 60 percent of the world’s coral reefs now losing productivity, it’s becoming a global crisis and a scientific mystery."

Consisting of less than 1% of the world oceans, the coral reefs are ancient animals comprising of thin calcium carbonate deposits within the photic layer. Aside from its biologically diverse ecosystems, coral reefs are major source of food for millions and provides habitats and nursery areas for many marine organisms. Coral reefs also act as a physical buffer to protect the coastlines from tropical storms and erosion. In addition, many local communities rely on coral reefs to generate an income through activities such as fishing and diving. However, 75% of the coral reefs are under threat from induced impacts of humans and climate change (Burke, et al., 2011). This essay looks at the human impacts constantly being inflicted on coral reefs.

Developing organizations, such as The Ocean Agency and the Coral Restoration Foundation, have been raising concern in efforts to conserve and furthermore sustain aquatic life and the ecosystem in which they inhabit. These unique fish, found living and populating among the coral reef, face a level of degradation and life threatening obstacles. The coral reef acts as a home to more than a quarter of the know fish species, where their population and species have been widely studied. This ecosystem is a beautiful representation of life which supports, and is supported by other neighboring ecosystems; embodying a significance as the leading consumer item for those who live along the reefs. Their importance to our planets collective ecosystem is not fully understood, due to the way these ecosystems are interconnected to one another, but nevertheless illustrates an example of a struggling life which may provide problems for both terrestrial and aquatic life-forms. Aside from the human dependency, being that “More than 450 million people live within 60 kilometers of coral reefs, with the majority directly or

The coral reef’s ecosystem are in major threat of the current bleaching events. Coral reefs are the main marine environment, which includes a variety of over 4,000 fish, and 800 different type of hard coral (“Corals”). Over 25 percent of marine animals are supported by the coral environment (“Coral Reefs”). The reefs are a key element of the ocean’s ecosystem (“Coral Reef Destruction”). Water temperatures are estimated to keep rising in the decades to come, which intensifies coral bleaching and other problems like black band disease, and white plague. These illnesses cause a majority of the coral to die, which will then lead to their ecosystem to plummet (“Global Warming”). Research as estimated that one to eight million organisms are yet unknown to scientists

Big chunks of the Great Barrier Reef are dying and it is causing a big impact in Australia. For example, Australia gets billions of dollars for tourism per year, but if the reefs keep on dying the economy will be affected. Since Australia is the largest coal exporter, the last thing that they don’t want to do is make the situation worse. Also, scientist warned that if they keep on burning fossil fuels, it will expose greenhouse gases, causing the ocean to warm. Whenever the water is two or three degrees Fahrenheit of too much warming can sometimes kill the reefs. Fish sometimes use coral reefs as protection from predators.. Many people get their protein from reef fish, but with the loss of that food source it could become a humanitarian problem.

Australia’s scientists have released its comprehensive map of the Great Barrier Reef’s bleached corals revealing that less than 36% of the areas explored have not been severely bleached yet. The bleaching is caused by abnormally hot waters due to El Niño and climate change. These high temperatures cause corals’ symbiotic algae, which is their crucial food source, to become scarce and toxic, forcing the corals to expel it. Removing the algae turns the coral bone white and the coral begins to starve. Of the 911 individual reefs that researchers surveyed, a large 93%-843 reefs-experienced some kind of bleaching. Furthermore, the Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 different kinds of fish, 6 of the worlds remain seven marine turtle species

“Coral reefs are extremely important for biodiversity, providing a home to over 25% of all marine life. They are also vital for people and business. They provide nurseries for many species of commercially important fish, protection of coastal areas from storm waves, and are a significant attraction for the tourism industry”

Coral reefs around the world are in danger. One of the causes is global warming, which has been increasing the temperature of the ocean water resulting in coral bleaching. This essay will focus on damage occurring to the Great Barrier Reef.

Many people have gone scuba diving at some point in their lifetime, even going out to some of the world's most famous and beautiful coral reefs such as the Great Barrier reef or the Belize Barrier reef. But doing so does more harm than good, adding on to reasons for their decline. When doing recreational activities like these many touch coral reefs which can devastate and eventually kill an entire colony. In addition, when any type of boat is above a coral reef the harm done can be monumental, as boat groundings and damage from anchors can cause the breaking of the coral reefs, scraping, and there is always the potential for a accidental oil spill which can permanently kill coral reefs. Furthermore, coral reefs are being over exploited for a number of reasons. Coral mining is used to obtain coral to sell as jewelry, medicine, and some construction materials. But the methods for removing coral are disastrous as they use mining blasts which could lead to a coral reefs death. In addition, our own fishing markets are over fishing and have used incredibly harmful ways to catch the most fish in one go possible. This has the same effects as coral mining because the coral reefs have the potential to deteriorate, taking an incredibly long time to regenerate, or even cause its death. Although, coral reefs have been most gravely impacted by pollution and the detrimental effects of global warming. Due to a rise in ocean pollution, coral reefs can be impacted in a number of ways. One being the fact that it can cause disease to appear on the coral, but also lengthen the reproduction of coral. Due to plastics large numbers with in the ocean it can also cause the death of numerous marine organisms and other reef species. Furthermore, coral reefs are greatly impacted by climate change, which is

Coral bleaching is a phenomenal threat that occurs in response to fluctuating water temperatures, salinity levels, light exposure and disease (Veron, 2009). Embedded within the tissues of coral is a photosynthetic algae known as Zooxanthellae. Both coral and zooxanthellae share an integral symbiotic relationship each allowing each other to function. Zooxanthellae provide the coral with carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis, allowing the coral to form its calcium carbonate skeleton. In response, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with nutrients needed for its survival. The ‘bleaching’ of the coral is a stress response to the breakdown of the coral-zooxanthellae relationship through the expulsion of the algae from the coral. When

Known for its color of various aquatic species, its diversity and liveliness of its residents, coral reefs are well known and popular among many around the world. But the increase in these admirers has come with a price. The colorful reefs have turned white as the chemical composition of the ocean and the ocean’s temperature changes as a result of climate change (Anthony 2009). Although many claim that climate change is naturally occurring, the extent and rapidity in which it is occurring is posing a great threat to many factors in earth, including the coral reefs. Formally known as coral bleaching, this phenomenon “is a process whereby the coral colonies lose their color, either due to the loss of pigments by microscopic algae living in symbiosis with their host organisms, or because these zooxanthellae have been expelled.” (Coral Bleaching 2008)

Coral reefs are living structures comprised of the exoskeletons of a marine organism known as polyps. Polyps are animals that have a symbiotic relationship with algae that lives inside the polyps and provides the coral with energy through photosynthesis, which is the process of turning light into energy, and the coral provides a safe place for the algae to reside in. Bleaching in corals occurs when environmental stressors cause the coral to eject the algae from itself, causing the coral to lose its pigment and its main way of producing energy (Kenneth et al. 540). It is estimated that 30% of coral reefs around the world have been damaged or destroyed by bleaching, and about 60% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk from bleaching (Lönnstedt et al 1178-1185).

Accurately, more than one-quarter of all marine wildlife lives within the boundaries of salt water reefs (Glick). Though government organizations are aware, the few existent laws and regulations have protected a lacking amount of these animals and their fragile sanctuaries. In addition, the oceans do not solely serve as habitats for thousands of marine species, but also serve as major contributors in the regulation of the earth’s weather and climate. The oceans also provide millions of jobs in the tourism, recreation, fishing and shipping industries (Weeks). Few people give coral reefs the clear recognition they deserve, and they are helplessly neglected. Circumstantially, human activities cause significant damage to the coral reef system. Afterwards, the damage could inevitably influence the function of the oceans and negatively impact everyday life on

Despite the widely agreed upon consensus of climate change and human causation in the scientific community, the general public is still out to lunch on the subject, influenced by politics and societal ideals. The most important thing about climate change is the effects it directly has on our planet and its direct effect on species. Demonstrating a specific occurrence of the direct effects of climate change is Coral reefs. Impacted by warming and ocean acidification, Coral is facing great distress and the future of coral reefs is ugly, scientists unsure but doubtful that they will be able to keep up with the rapid change. The important thing to see from climate change and the point that needs to be understood by the public is that the evidence and the effects on species all over the world are real, and earth and its systems and creatures account for one hundred percent of our resources, directly or indirectly. The health of our planet is our responsibility, and this report examines the ramifications of human life and a closer look at Coral reefs, a key ecosystem facing the heat.