Coral Reefs : Experienced Damage By Many Ways All Around The World

The article talks about how climate change has affected coral reefs over the past several years. Kim Cobb who is a marine scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology said that climate change has damaged the coral, the entire reef is covered with red-brown fuzz and algae had grown over the dead coral during his last dive in the deep waters of Kiritimati Island. According to the article, Scientists believe that the damages of coral reefs are caused by the mass bleaching of coral reefs around the world, heat stress from multiple severe weather events like El Nino and climate change. As a result, more than a third of Earth’s coral reefs are threatened and many may not recover.

"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.

The impacts that climate change has on coral reefs is very concerning. The increase in sea temperatures is causing the coral reefs to become bleached. When a coral becomes bleached it causes them to expel the algae, leaving the corals white. Bleached corals results in many negative effects. When a coral is bleached they have reduced growth rates, the species that depend on them are affected, and there is a decline in coral reef protection from shorelines. The devastating impacts that climate change has on coral reefs are unpredictable to the sea and the ecosystem. It is a very unfortunate event that the rise in sea temperatures are causing these devastating impacts on coral reefs.

These three factors, being human impact (pollution/ overfishing), climate change (water temperatures), and natural disasters (hurricanes) play their leading role over the loss of coral reef ecosystems— where reflections such as disease and bio erosion act as the result. The importance over marine biologists, and their conveying message to save the coral reef ecosystem, is a demanding change of our standardized way of life. The science and understanding over this ecosystem can, in good faith, stem a positive human response instead of a negative impact; where through these studies, the public may become aware of the issue and be attentive towards a possible

Global climate change is one of the greatest threats to the long run future of coral reefs. In combination with other natural and human-induced pressures, warming seas pose a serious risk to the world's coral reef ecosystems. Summer sea temperature increases of just 2-3°C for a week or two, or 1-2°C for a month or two, are enough to kill sensitive corals.

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

Scenario: You are marine biologist presenting a seminar titled ‘coral reefs under threat’, which discusses human impact on reef systems. A sceptical member of the audience questions whether there is sufficient evidence to support your claims, and goes on to state that maybe the issues regarding coral reefs have simply been exaggerated by the media, environmentalists and scientists.

A group of researchers aimed to quantify regional and global patterns of decline as everyone seemed to know coral reefs were declined but not at what rate. Previous studies gathered qualitative data that was difficult to combine into a comprehensive understanding of what global coral reef patterns are like. They amassed and analyzed data on coral reef cover from 1968-2004 in the Indo-Pacific ocean which has 75% of the world’s coral population. The researchers presented their data with the intention of informing the public to effect better coral management and restoration practices. Their hypothesis was that coral reef decline would occur all over due to the ocean-wide increase in temperature and that it vary between areas depending on nearby

Many prominent marine biologist and conservationist such as Guy Harvey have lectured my school on many of the problems that are causing problems to coral reefs in the Caribbean. With the accompaniment of my marine biology teacher in high school, I traveled in a submarine observing the flora and fauna on the ocean floor. As we glided through the ocean our teacher informed us on the Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes that found their home in the rocks and coral reefs. We also traveled near the port where the cruise ships dock, and noticed that the ocean floor was baron due to the weakening of the coral reefs caused by anchoring that get swept away when hurricanes churn the water. Not only anchoring can demolish the coral, but the influx of the temperature can as well. If a large amount of boats are patrolling an area the oil and gas from the engine can pollute the water or raise the temperature. Sometimes it only takes and influx of one degree Fahrenheit for the zooxanthellae, a form of algae that is responsible for photosynthesis, can die and cause coral bleaching. Even just by touching the coral repetitively you can break apart the delicate coral. I find it compelling that this issue be addressed because I am an avid fisherman. I enjoy the relaxation and thrill of deep sea fishing, and

Climate change is a main concern throughout the world. When referring to climate change people think of a change in climate patterns that can not be reversed once started. The Great Barrier Reef is one that is greatly affected by climate change. Reefs can be hurt easily by this major effect that is taking place on the Earth. According to one article climate change will effect coral reefs so bad that it will take them to a their tipping point and they won’t be able to make a turn around (O. Hoegh-Guldberg, et al).

Responsible for more than one quarter of the ocean’s biodiversity, coral reefs or “rainforest of the sea” not only harbor millions of species but also provide daily nutrients to sustain marine life. Coral reefs prove to be an asset humans by offering food, economic services, and protection. However, coral reefs are experiencing rapid decline in locations which they once thrived due to harmful human activities; these activities is identified by pollution, overfishing or aggressive fishing, and tourism. Bordering coastlines of tropical countries these rocks shield humans by weakening powerful waves during storms. Sturdy but not indestructible they can easily crumple apart in rough weather, but not enough to potentially be fatal. Although laws

The Great Barrier Reef is under immense environmental pressure, the most prominent issue being climate change. The reef system is a vulnerable ecosystem that requires particular specifications to survive. Corals ideal temperature is between 25-29 degrees Celsius; when this temperature rises for more than 2 weeks at a time, coral bleaching can occur. Coral bleaching can affect 60-95% of the reef, the northern third of the reef being the most heavily damaged. The increase in cyclones (particularly from 2005-2014) has been attributed to climate change, as well as an inflation in crown of thorn starfish outbreaks. A rise in sea level as well as the reasons mentioned above has led to the rapid deterioration of the reefs ecosystem health, thus a

Today, islands are a huge part of the economy for countries worldwide, and it’s a great source for natural resources, but what is the price of this? Many islands today are suffering from the drawbacks from deforestation and overfishing among many other human-made environmental impacts. These changes that humans are making affects our islands in different ways, but, these changes could eventually lead to the end of certain animal species, it could influence the number of coral reefs that are currently in our ocean today, and it could affect how the severity of natural disasters.

The deterioration of coral reefs is mainly linked to human activities – 88% of coral reefs are threatened through various reasons as