The tragedy of the commons invading our environmental rights case study: coral reefs

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 exist all over the world and are generally known as being one of the most diverse, intricate and beautiful of all existing marine habitats. They have many varying structures which are developed by algae and are symbiotic with various reef building corals which are referred to as, zooxanthellae (algae). There are many other factors such as, coralline algae, sponges and other various organisms that are combined with a number of cementation processes which also contribute to reef growth, (CORAL REEFS, 2015).

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet. There are more than 25,000 known species of organisms and countless others that have yet to be identified (Helvarg, 2000). Reefs thrive on the shallow edge of tropical seas, most often on the eastern edge of continents along warm water currents that brush the coasts. Reefs cannot live in cold waters and are limited by ocean depth and available sunlight. Coral is the foundation of the reef community, providing a three-dimensional structure where thousands of species of vertebrates and invertebrates live and feed. Some species of coral are hard, while others soft. Some are branched, yet others are compact and rounded. Coral is made up of large

American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau is a diverse yet interconnected collection of essays by renowned environmentalist authors who have been influential in literature, religion, science, and politics. Each piece has a specific purpose and role that it plays in conveying ideas and themes. Many authors share their personal opinions on issues such as the world’s declining forests, the extinction of species, as well their intimate experiences with nature. However, the most influential essay in this book is “The Tragedy of the Commons” by Garrett Hardin (438). A multitude of pieces in this book tie into the tragedy of the commons and support its ideas in one way or another.

A coral reef is a ridge formed in shallow ocean water by accumulated calcium-containing exoskeletons of coral animals, certain red algae, and mollusks. Coral reefs are tropical, forming only where surface waters are never cooler than 20° C (68° F).

Coral reefs are created in shallow tropical waters. The coral reefs make skeletons for itself, and eventually the skeletons build up to create coral reefs. Coral reefs provide habitat for lots of fish and other ocean creatures. By 2050 coral reefs are thought to be extinct due to warmer water damaging the corals. Although the warmer weather causes damage to the coral, coral reefs grow best in water that range between 70-85 fahrenheit.

There are 4,000 species of fish and 800 species of hard coral. Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on earth. Coral reefs also protect shores against erosion by causing large waves to break and lose some of their force before reaching land. In contrast, coral reefs are one of the most endangered natural resources. Throughout the world, individuals have came to the self-realization that these reefs are dying. Native families on certain islands in Southern Caribbean are no longer able to catch their food close to the shore-line like they once could. Declining reef health is harmful not only to creatures inhabiting coral ecosystems, but also to the human populations that depend upon them. Coral reef depletion is caused inadvertently by air pollution and greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gases cause a change in the PH of the rain. Since coral is a basic substance, acid rain can cause the coral to dissolve away. America should step up to change what is happening for several reasons. These can include because of the reliance on fish for consumption, and the economic gain due to trade or purchase. America is the most powerful country and should therefore take the initiative on these types of issues. Our country has went this period of years without any criminal punishment or regulation for the destruction of our reefs.From the year 1996 to the year 2002, coral reefs onent from 70% coral coverage to below 10% coral coverage. With America’s dependence on fish biodiversity & the supply demand thereof, one can see that allowing coral reefs to undergo such a decline would be a prime example of an unjust action. Boats would purposely run over top of such ecosystems & tear up the homes of millions of organisms. When individuals do this, the economy will directly or

This is because the increased acidity of ocean waters leads to the corrosion of sea shells that are already present. Since there are less carbonate ions present in the water, a calcium ion is less likely to react with carbonate to form calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is responsible for constructing shells for calcifying organisms such as sea urchins, mollusks, coral, and plankton. These living creatures are crucial towards the maintenance of biodiversity in the oceans since they are major components in the food web. Plankton are primary producers that photosynthesize, backbone to the dispersion of energy since they serve as a food source for primary producers. Without their presence, the food web will falter. Coral reefs are also vital structures of marine ecosystems because they provide shelter and a habitat for fish spawning. However, they are eroding quicker than they are able to grow

The coral reefs are part of the Animalia kingdom. According to an article called “ Cold, Dark, and Lonely: Deep-Water Corals Thrive Where The Sun Never Shines”, “algae tend to grow inside corals for oxygen and they require clean and warm waters for survival” (Cairn, 2014).

Coral Reefs: A structure of calcite skeletons built up by coral animals in warm, shallow ocean water

Calcification is the process of combining calcium and carbonate to form the mineral calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Many marine calcifiers, including corals, create skeletons made of CaCO3, gain a variety of benefits, including: structural support and protection, increased surface area, maintain proximity to surface waters and high light levels and can keep up with small increments in sea level rise (Andersson et al. 2013). It is estimated that approximately 25% of all CaCO3 that accumulates in marine sediments is found in coral reef environments (Milliman 1993).

Corals, which are one of the climate archives been discussed, are living organisms who produce a calcium carbonate skeleton to make themselves look like rocks. The calcium carbonate bands found in corals help form permanent records of seasonal and annual climate changes. Corals are a type of biotic proxy; which are proxies based on the

Coral reefs form when coral larvae attach to rocks under the water or other hard surfaces. Coral usually starts to form on the edge of islands or continents. As the coral reefs grow the reefs evolve into one of three coral reef structures: fringing, barrier, or atoll.

“The Tragedy of the Commons” written by Garret Hardin explains how the human population is degrading the environment. When Hardin refers to commons he is talking about a resource that is owned by no one and used by a group of people. Some examples of commons include the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the oceans we fish. The tragedy is that people don’t look at the bigger picture; the over use of commons for our own personal benefit leads to the destruction or extinction of these commons. For example if one fisherman wants to fish the oceans as much as possible that’s fine, but now imagine if every fisherman wants to fish the oceans as much as they can, this is one example of a common being destroyed by the human population. The

“Coral reefs are expansive underwater structures which are built from stony corals that secrete calcium carbonate to create their hard exoskeleton to protect their soft bodies. These corals consist of polyps which are abnormal growths within the coral that cluster together to form groups. Coral reefs make up one of the most significant marine ecosystems in the world today.” (https://www.livescience.com/40276-coral-reefs.html )