The Importance Of Coral Reefs

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.

They protect against coastal flooding, wave damage, storm surges, wave damage, and also they provide homes for lots of fish.. Coral reefs are dying because of the increase in ocean acidification that is caused by the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. Coral reefs may stop growing if the CO2 concentration levels are high which is expected over the coming decades according to the article. Coral reefs are also vital for people and business. In the article it was reported that more than 30 million small-scale fisherman and women depend on coral reefs for their livelihoods, specifically in Indonesia where fish supported by the reefs provide the primary source of protein.

The ocean is two-thirds of our planet a vast blue landscape home to many biomes which according to Boyce Thorne-Miller “(ecosystem types) corresponding to sets of environmental conditions that vary with depth, latitude, and longitude” (16). However, the ocean and its biomes is under attack from the changing environment. We can see this through coral reef biomes as they make their home near the shores. Through coral reefs we can view the effects that these changes have on the ocean through how the coral reef biome is affected. Humans are a danger to the coral reefs and the wildlife that resides in the biome. The pollution being released into the environment is poisoning the coral and causes death and malformation to the wildlife. The ocean is changing due to global warming which is causing a change in the temperature and rising water levels leading to a change in the stabile areas coral can survive. The increasing acidification of the ocean is causing the coral reefs to die. I will be looking at the effects these issues cause to coral reefs biomes and the ocean to see the similarities in how they affect both.

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

Located in tropical ocean waters, coral reefs provide priceless resources to both human and marine life. The leading natural cause of destruction among the coral reefs is global warming. Other natural causes are earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. The destruction to the coral reefs from these natural disasters is minimal compared to the dangers caused by man. Man-made destruction has a much wider impact on the health of the coral reefs. This destruction includes over-fishing, damage from anchors, aquarium industry, overgrowth of seaweed, and being smothered by sediments.

Finally, there are millions of species who live in the coral reef. It is used both for shelter and for a food supply. There is a vast amount of trawlers that come through each year to dredge the ocean. But think about what would happen if the coral reefs disappear. All the species that depend on the reef for shelter would die. And all the species who hunt for food there would also die. Dredging the ocean rips apart the coral reefs wether that was meant to happen or not. If the natural beauty of the reefs and the security it brings to animals dissapeared, it would be a major

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

Besides being a spectacle to look at, coral reefs are also one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. In addition to ⅓ of all fish (not just species) spend at least a portion of their lives on a reef, they are also home to mollusks, sponges, turtles, and a plethora of different species of coral (Basic Facts, 2014). Coral reefs also can protect coastlines from wave erosion and also help support fisherman that depend on the reef as their livelihood. Contrary to the

Dangers: If awareness is not spread and action is not taken, coral bleaching events will continue to occur and kill more and more valuable ocean habitats per day. According to Chasing Coral, the 2017 documentary about coral bleaching starring several prominent coral biologists, if this trend continues, 90% of our coral reefs will be gone by 2050, which is an incredibly depressing fact. Transition: Now that you are aware of these shocking statistics, you are probably wondering what you can do to help. B. Solution: An easy way to get involved and help restore coral reefs in Florida and in the Caribbean, is to donate to Coral Restoration Foundation.

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

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.

There once was a whole nother world below the beautiful waves in the Asia Pacific, a year a go to be exact. A breathtaking array of life beneath the ocean. Only now the maldivian reef is dead, obliterated by the stress of the rising temperatures in the ocean. In the last 30 years, the world has failed to realize that we have lost half our coral reefs. Scientists are searching for ways to guarantee the lone ecosystems to recuperate beyond the next 30 years. The whole world depends on it since it supports a quarter of all marine life. Julia Baum Of Canada states, “We are losing them right now, really quickly, much more quickly than i think any of us ever could have imagined.” Can you believe that in about 2050, if we don’t find ways to help conserve

Coral reefs are one our greatest protections in Florida. They provide a huge protections against storm surges from the ocean. Coral reefs are huge host for fish and sea life. In order to help sustain this life and our shores we need to be taking care of our reefs. We could benefit our coral reefs by simply putting less pollution into the ocean. It would also be a great idea to reduce how much we fish coral reefs and instead try to spread out the fishing across other areas. Managing our water cleanliness is the largest point that needs to be acted upon. This is due to us living in Florida and we have a huge affect on what is put into the water, because we are so close to it. Instead of letting all the toxic waste we let soak into the

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).

The effects of climate change on coral reefs stem from the increase in carbon dioxide and the increase in atmospheric temperature. These two factors have the most drastic impact on the coral reefs and their ecosoytems surrounding. The first major effect of climate change is ocean acidification.