Coral Reefs Negatively Affected By Our Environment

Coral reefs are a crucial part of the world, socially, economically, and environmentally. All over the world, coral reefs are being damaged beyond repair and are possibly facing extinction in the future because of natural reasons, such as weather, climate change, tidal changes, predation, and various diseases. Humans are also causing catastrophic damage through pollution, overfishing, and coral mining. Despite the numerous efforts being made to restore the reefs to how they used to be, there is not enough being done, and chances are they will never be the same. Coral reef degradation is manageable, if not almost completely avoidable, at least for the damage that is caused by people. The coral reefs provide crucial resources to us as humans and to the animals living in and around them that is why they should be protected no matter what the cost may be.

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.

In addition, the research article illustrates how bleaching of the coral reefs is a global issue with findings that imply that all regions in which coral reefs are located are equally affected with the decline of the coral reef in one given area. Likewise, findings in the research article show that coral reef decline is not limited to regional stressors, but also human impacts such as sedimentation as a result of urban development. The main issue discussed in the article is emphasized in the research article, suggesting the urgent need to implement policies to conserve coral reefs. Both articles touch upon the fact that coral reefs can grow back, however in the research articles one finding implies how coral reefs take a noteworthy amount of time to grow and gain its normal composition. Ultimately, the research article does not contradict the news article, but instead compliments the news article and reaffirms the growing issue of coral reef decline as a result of climate events and human

In particular, rising levels and increased temperatures of the seas, along with ocean acidification, negatively impact the integrity of this magnificent ecosystem and its inhabitants. The abundant microscopic organisms beneath the sea are crucial to the reef’s survival in that the phytoplankton transfer carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and into food, and under the influence of rising temperatures, growth and reproduction decreases dramatically. Known as coral bleaching, this occurrence is a result of the discharging of algae from the coral tissue, and to add, a normally beneficial player in the game, the crown-of-thorns starfish is smothering the already ailing reef. Also, due to rising sea temperatures comes changes in ocean currents, which essentially is responsible for depleting food sources, and with that, transportation of larvae and eggs becomes impeded. Like the domino effect, every action triggers yet another action, and so

Coral Reefs are distinctive and unique to the areas around them, boasting a variety and biodiversity of species that can rival any terrestrial area. Although the reefs only cover 0.2 percent of the earth's oceanic floor, an estimated one million species found around coral reefs (NASA)—around 25% of our marine species (Coral Reef Alliance). Beyond science, reefs generate an estimated $375 billion each year (Bunting). Coral reefs benefit the aquarium, fishing, and ecotourism industries, creating at least 500 million jobs (Chasing Coral).

Imagine the ocean, our beautiful blue, red, and green galore coral reefs supporting nearly a quarter of the oceans marine wildlife, simply being stripped away. Unfortunately this isn't a fantasy, but a key global issue happening in our oceans today. Due to environmental issues occurring in the ocean such as

From the Great Barrier Reef to the Caribbean, coral reefs all over the world are in great danger, and can soon be an ecosystem of the past. As shown in Figure 1 (SEOS), in an eight-year span, the amount of coral bleaching around the world has increased. Many studies conducted by international and national groups have concluded that coral bleaching is occurring rapidly, and if continued, can lead to reduced growth rates and reproductive capacity in bleached corals, changes in overall coral composition affects the livelihood of a variety of fish and invertebrates because they rely heavily on it for food, shelter, and other basic

Coral Reefs ecosystems only covered two tracks up to the 1970-80’s and they were biological and geological. From those years, we have been able to study and learn more about coral reefs. We have found that these reefs exist and a continued form such as none reef-building coral ecosystems can have fast structures being built. There is still quite a bit of things we will need to learn such as determining if coral communities are dependent on the abilities of reef building. They are used for structure and providing space to the ecosystem of the reef itself, having biodiversity, and to support the reef in all capabilities. Coral reefs are one of the most distinguish ecosystem in the world, but these are getting threatened by ocean acidification.

Coral reefs provide important habitats that numerous marine animals rely on for survival. These habitats are constantly under pressure and threatened indirectly or directly by human activities. So many of the world’s corals have been killed or severely damaged by numerous factors such as increased CO2 emissions, global climate change, agricultural runoff, overfishing, and improper tourist activities. However, if we change our habits now, we can prevent further coral loss and protect what we have

Today the coral reef provides shelter and food to over 3500 species of plants and animals including 20 types of corals.despite the fact that it has raised high concerns of environmental degradation,science has designed technology to restore the liveliness of the threatened reef. Although Vince produces mediocre to sufficient evidence needed in order to educate the reader on the slight endangerment of the coral reef , Dolasia does a better job explaining how the coral reef’s wellness is struggling and how science is being used to resolve the conflict.

Mariah Inghram POLS 4335 April 14, 2016 Coral Reef Degradation Coral reefs are diverse marine ecosystems that provide habitats to a wide range of organisms (Mulhall 2009). Today, they are faced with the largest threat to their existence since the 200-300 million years ago in which they first emerged on Earth (Mulhall 2009). Since coral ecosystems are in rapid decline, sustaining these ecosystems is becoming a viable goal for both national and international organizations as an increasing number of nations across the world are being affected by their degradation (Mulhall 2009). Although initiatives are being taken to preserve coral ecosystems, the global society must continue to take more effective measures in order to preserve the world’s reefs and ensure that the benefits and

In a conclusion, coral reefs has contributed a lot not only for the aquatic and marine organisms but to human in economy sector too. Mostly organisms in the ocean depends on coral reefs for food, protection from predators and interaction between organisms that lived in the coral reefs. Example of interaction that can be seen in coral reefs is mutualism. In The Great Barrier Reefs, mutualism interaction can be observed between the sea anemone and clownfish. Both organisms obtained benefits as sea anemone is an ideal home for clownfish for protection whereas clownfish helps to lure other fishes to come closer so that sea anemone can catch them for foods (CAC, n.d.). If the coral reefs are affected, it will causing the imbalance of ecosystem

Coral reefs occupy only 0.2% of the ocean floor, yet they are the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems known today, and support over 25% of all marine organisms (Yip). Due to the massive amount of marine species that populate coral reef habitats, maintaining healthy reefs is crucial for the continuation of marine biodiversity. In past years, the increase of mortality rates in coral has been caused by a number of factors, including wide-spread stress and disease. In the Indo-Pacific, coral reefs have been declining at a rate of approximately 2% per year for the last 20 years (Yip). Coral reef fish biodiversity is crucial for the sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem, as well as for the ability of the coral reefs to provide services to the ecosystem (Ehrenfeucht). Such services include coral reef fisheries and the tourism industry.

Coral reefs are fundamental in providing oxygen to millions of people around the world. They don’t just provide oxygen, they provide food and shelter to millions of fish in the ocean. They are so abundant that according to The Associated Press, Coral reefs are considered “underwater rainforests.” Unfortunately, these reefs are dying out. Due to global warming and rising ocean temperatures, these corals are becoming stressed and weak. The Associated Press claims, “The world has lost roughly half its coral reefs in the last 30 years.” Losing the coral reefs would seriously hurt the world’s population of plants, animals, and humans. Coral reefs provide some of the ingredients found in medicine we use each day. Some ingredients from these reefs

With many types of pollutions that get into the water we are killing the coral reef that has provided us with many things. Example of this is that it protects us from waves from crashing onto land. It gives us medicine and food too. It also provides some tourist attraction so it helps some communities to grow and have some support for itself. The coral reef is also home to a lot of different kinds of fish.