The Effects Of Coral Reef Ecosystem On Coral Reefs Ecosystem Essay

Coral reefs support an abundant and diverse population of herbivores, on reefs subject to minimal human disturbance, herbivorous fish such as the scaridae family are predominant herbivores, both in terms of population density and algal biomass consumption. By the consumption of algae, parrotfishes open space for young coral settlement and growth, therefore playing a vital role in the maintenance of coral reefs. This feeding behavior has been observed and past studies have stated that parrotfishes spend ninety percent of their day feeding on algae and in some cases dead corals. This is important as most of the reefs in the Caribbean and across the tropics are being affected by an increase in algae growth which lead to the smothering of coral reefs and sea grass beds. Additionally, after the consumption of some species of

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.

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

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

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

Coral reefs have suffered degradation due to anthropogenic activities for decades. The direct and indirect effects of overfishing and pollution from agriculture and land development have been the major drivers of coral reef decline over the past two centuries. More importantly, these threats to coral reefs have been compounded and exacerbated by superimposed impacts of global climate change, such as rising sea temperature and level, and increased ocean acidification. (T. P. Hughes, 2003)

The COTS are usually an important part of maintaining the balance of the coral reef ecosystem’s, as it would feed off the faster growing

Coral reefs worldwide are currently being threatened by climate change and ocean acidification. A recent estimate shows that approximately 30% of reefs have already sustained significant damage, and up to 60% of reefs may be completely destroyed by the year 2030 (Hughes et al.). Because of the fragile state of reefs worldwide, it is important to be able to determine the health of reef systems. One possible indicator may be found in the behavior of butterflyfish. Butterflyfish are common in Indo-Pacific and Caribbean reef comminutes, with species representing three different trophic guilds including corallivory, planktivory, and benthic omnivory. Marc Slattery and Deborah J. Gochfield created the “Butterflyfish indicator hypothesis,” which assumes that as coral condition decreases which results in lower quality food sources, it will cause a chain reaction of obligate corallivores changing their behavior or even emigrating away from their territories, while facultative corallivores are less effected by these changes in coral health. In order to study this, Slattery and Gochfeld studied butterflyfish behavior at three different sites in Guam, with all three being at different stages of overall health. Cocos lagoon (CL) was the most heavily impacted, with the Piti Bomb Holes (PBH) being slightly less impacted, and Luminao Reef (LR) being relatively unimpacted. The researchers wanted to

2015). A potential answer to the decreasing amounts of coral reefs is the push for efforts in regulation of human activity: reduction of overfishing, of waste disposal into water bodies, of dredging that leads to sedimentation, and of pollution to the oceans; this solution is accomplished with the hope that the recuperation rate of the coral reef ecosystems outpaces the dissolution rate. However, this hope is not easily met, as it is difficult to limit human actions (Figure 1); instead, efforts should refocus towards active

Lastly, the loss of coral will affect the successional stages of algae, which is important to the ecology of reef fishes. The loss will open up space, reduce the intensity of herbivory and, therefore, lead to colonization of the reef benthos by late-successional frondose algae. A dominance of frondose algae lowers benthic production and increases covers of the less palatable algae. The result is the reduced abundance of fish diversity (Rosenberg 165). These three effects all impact the biodiversity that thrives among reefs. It is very important to protect the reefs from dangers.

Coral Reefs have a huge role in our environment, even though they only make up less than one percent of the oceans' ecosystems. They provide shelter for twenty-five percent of marine species, protect shorelines, support fishing industries, provide money from tourism, and could help scientists discover the next, big, medical breakthrough(Oceans and Coasts). Coral reefs are so biodiverse, they are referred to as ‘the Tropical Rainforests of the Oceans’. These diverse ecosystems are found in shallow circumtropical waters along the shore of continents. Corals thrive in waters that have poor nutrition and they have certain tolerance levels of water temperature, salinity, UV radiation, opacity, and nutrient quantities. (Buchheim)

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 are home to more that twenty-five percent of the oceans’ organisms (Hughes et al. 2003). Coral reefs are a vital ecosystem because it contains an immense amount of biodiversity, which has economic benefits by bringing in revenue from fishing and tourism (Hughes et al. 2003). Coral reefs also provide rich minerals such medicine and calcium carbonate that brings in a great deal of money, estimated to be around thirty billion dollars (Hughes et al. 2003). In addition to making revenue, coral reefs also provide us with ecological benefits such as renewable resources, sea food products, raw materials for medicines, and live fish and coral collected for the aquarium trade (Hughes et al.

Coral reefs, known to house a wide range of organisms, are being negatively affected by our environment. Seeing as to how one third of marine fish live part of their lives on coral reefs; it is easier marine fish to die off knowing that they are all in the same area. There are some places in not only our country, but also in others where the reefs have already been completely destroyed. Whereas, some reefs are barely surviving considering the great dangers coming their way. With the ideas of pollution, destructive fishing, warming waters, changes in ocean chemistry, and invasive species being the outcome of threats to coral reefs. However, it is said that the most common threats are the ones that have been caused by not only nature, but the

The support of coral reefs to marine fisheries is crucial it is a source of biodiversity. Coral reefs can be an important fishing ground for local inhabitants when the fishing is implemented in a sustainable manner. Coral has been used since early times for things like making limestone to use to make cement. This taking of parts of coral reefs in large amounts reduces the amount of diversity in the reef ecosystem. Coral builds upon itself so when it is removed along with the rocks and other things that make up a reef then new coral species coming in to replace what is removed have nothing left to attach to. The reef structure itself is call the substrate . Overfishing of certain species near coral reefs can easily affect the reef's ecological balance and biodiversity. (Montero-Serra, 2015) A reef ecosystem is built up of many pieces starting at the bottom are the plants which act as the first piece of a chain. Then coral species that build structure or the substrate feed off of the plants. Then the shellfish and fish feed off the coral or gets eaten by some of the coral. Ecosystem overfishing happens when one part of that food chain is removed and then the species that are left in this case the fish have nothing to feed off of and then they themselves die off. (Sitemaker.umich.edu, 2015). Coral reefs harvesting offer insight into the effects of overfishing on other ecosystems it illustrates that overfishing has an impact that extends beyond the loss of one species. Understanding the ecological consequences of different harvesting practices and the biological mechanisms underlying the recovery of populations is essential to ensure sustainable management plans. (Int-res.com,