Coral Reef Ecosystems In Hawaii

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.

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.

First, I am going to talk about the importance of coral reefs. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. They are home to 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard coral, and hundreds of other species. Scientists believe that there are another 1 to 8 million unidentified species (NOAA). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, new drugs are being developed from

The purpose of this research is to apply the knowledge learned about the ecology of the Hawaiian Coral Reef to a real-life situation. The coral reef stretches over 1,000 miles in the Pacific Ocean. In the Pacific Ocean, near the 124 islands of Hawaii, is the Hawaiian Coral Reef, which covers nearly 1,200 miles. Out of all the coral reefs in the world, the Hawaiian reef consists of 85% of all reefs. Coral Reefs are made of organisms, coral, and limestone skeletons. 25% of organisms are not existent anywhere else in the world. Abiotic factors are nonliving things, and abiotic factors of a coral reef are depth, light, wave motion, salinity, and temperature of the ocean. Biotic factors, living factors, is the whole coral reef,

The state of Hawaii and its islands are role models for the nation and world when it comes to protection of ecological and biological resources. From establishments of protection of at least 20% of U.S. Coral reefs and associated habitat types in no-take areas, to working with local, governmental and global stakeholders to amend treaties and Acts that the nation can involve in. Currently, there are 43 sites considered marine protected areas and 12 of these are no-take zones. Papahãnaumokuãkea Marine National Monument is one of these.

Furthermore, extraction of building materials such as sand affects coral reefs, mangroves, and hinterland forests, leading to erosion and destruction of habitats. Overbuilding and extensive paving of shorelines can result in destruction of habitats and disruption of land-sea connections such as sea-turtle nesting spots. Coral reefs are especially fragile marine ecosystems and are suffering worldwide from reef-based tourism developments. Evidence suggests a variety of impacts to coastline ecosystems result from shoreline development, increased sediments in the water, trampling by tourists and divers, ship groundings, pollution from sewage, overfishing, and fishing with poisons and explosives that destroy coral

Hawaii is surrounded by crystal clear and refreshing water. There are many types of marine life that are swimming around in the beautiful waters of Hawaii, such as green sea turtles, humpback whales, and manta rays. Marine-related tourism is a mainstay of Hawaii's economy and is consistently cited as having the best diving destinations and top beaches in the world. Hawaii's marine realm is outstandingly rich and highly unique. Twenty-five percent of coral reef fish alone do not exist anywhere else on earth. When corals, algae, reef fish and other species are included, up to 62% of Hawaii's marine species are found solely in Hawaii.

Conservationists around the world are putting their best foot forward in an attempt to save the coral reefs. Coral reefs today are at a high risk of damage because of all the attention drawn to them by tourists. There are some islands that make all their money through tourism and exploiting the coral reefs, giving snorkel and scuba diving trips to guests that have traveled from around the world. Many people travel to these places with amazing under water worlds and they come extremely uneducated about these beautiful masterpieces. Tourists will drop their anchors on top of corals and drive their boats over corals, causing severe damage that will take the coral years and years to replenish. There are always new ways to enhance the lives of the

Coral reef ecosystems around the globe are threatened by human interferences and climate change. This has led to many scientists conducting studies on global coral reef ecosystems to gain a better understanding of the cause and effects of coral reef damage. In both Hodgson’s (1999) and Carpenter et al.’s (2008) studies, they are aware of the continuous degradation of global coral reef ecosystems. Hodgson's study involved conducting a survey on global coral reef ecosystems to see whether human actions were affecting the health of supposed pristine Coral reefs. Carpenter et al. incorporated Hodgson’s study into a compiled study about the possible extinction of reef building corals due to climate change and anthropogenic effects. Carpenter’s

Global declines in coral reef abundance are closely associated with increasing human pressures (Hughes et al., 2003 and Pandolfi et al., 2003). Projected trends of ocean warming and acidification will exacerbate coral reef degradation, creating adverse human and ecological consequences in locations such as the Hawaiian Islands where economic benefits of coral reefs are estimated to exceed $360 million yr−1 (Cesar and Van Beukering, 2004 and Nicholls et al., 2007). Corals face additional local stressors which may intensify climate change induced effects and act synergistically to alter benthic community structure (Ateweberhan et al., 2013 and Smith et al., 2001). The impact of local stressors such as water pollution on coral health will rise as anthropogenic disturbances persist in the coastal environment.

Coral reefs around the world are in constant decline, and this is a major problem. This is happening due to the direct and indirect effects of overfishing, and pollution that has derived from land. Both these factors have decimated the cover of coral reef species for over two centuries. Often involved in the degradation of coral reefs is a shift from the usual extensive covers of the coral, to extensive covers of microalgae. Examples from around the world have shown that corals can persist and survive through the long-term, chronic stressors, such as overfishing and eutrophication, however cannot seem to survive and recover from short-term, acute disturbances, such as storm damage or freshwater run-off). This is due to the

Coral reefs are home to more than four thousand species of fish and eight hundred hard coral species and are among the most biologically diverse environments on the planet, being home to thirty-two of the thirty-four phylum known to exist. These critical ecosystems also serve to protect the coastlines from storms, absorbing over ninety percent of force from wind generated waves. Coral reefs also provide economic benefits to coastal cities drawing tourists as well as commercial and recreational fisherman to the area. Across the globe Coral reefs and their surrounding communities are at risk, of sedimentation, eutrophication, toxicity, and coral bleaching due to changes in the environment from agricultural and terrestrial runoff. A wide variety of biogenous and terragenous materials are carried into the river by wind and rain and eventually are emptied into the oceans where they can potentially damage coral reefs.

Hawaii coral reefʻs are one of the most amazing sceneries in this world, because of Hawaiiʻs crystal clear blue water; astonishing species of colorful coral and fish of every color tourist are drawn to this beautiful display. Hawaiiʻs coral reefʻs make up about 85 percent of all coral reefʻs in the united states. The coral reefʻs ecosystem is the most diverse and significant ecosystem the world has seen; there are about 4,000 species of fish that rely on coral reefʻs for support. Hawaii has one of the worldʻs most beautiful marine life ecosystem. There are about 400 native marine life species that are only found here in our coastal waters. Hawaiis coral reefs are such a special sight because you will never see anything like it anywhere else

The most beautiful ecosystem, coral reefs, are dying. Fortunately, there are policies in place to protect our reefs like the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. However, these polices alone aren’t enough to protect and restore our reef ecosystems. I propose that to preserve the reefs, we increase our protection by growing the amount of National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS), encouraging and funding scientific research, improving partnerships, and enhancing the public education and involvement. This can be accomplished in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) through continuation and improvement of established programs within the United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Although it is impossible to manage the safety of coral reefs everywhere, the cleaner the ecosystem around the reefs are, the healthier and less endangered the reefs. With the help and effort from people and organizations worldwide, coral reefs can be kept clean and safe. If no one steps up and cares for the balance and biodiversity of the world's waters, then all