Beautiful beaches, a hot sun, glistening sand, and a clear ocean would make the perfect vacation, right? Many of us would enjoy being somewhere tropical. This kind of vacation won’t last much longer if we don’t start taking care of endangered coral reefs now! World government leaders should establish laws to protect them. People may ask, “If coral reefs are in such danger, why don’t we fix the problem since they provide benefits for the whole world?” Frankly, it’s not that simple. Protecting endangered coral reefs will provide the whole world with long lasting benefits. To figure out how to solve the problem, we must start with the benefits they provide for humans and nonhumans. Coral reefs support 128 corallivorous fish species, one third of which feed almost solely on coral (80%) (Cole 286). These reefs also provide the corallivorous fish species like butterfly fish with shelter and living space (Cole 287). Most of these fish feed on Scleractinian coral (“hard” coral) while the others feed on “soft” coral due to regional variation (Cole 288, 292). For the balance of fish and coral reefs to remain in sync, the feeding intensity of the fish and the regeneration of coral reefs need to balance one another (Cole 297). When combined with other stressors like pollution and coral bleaching, it’s hard for the reefs to recover (Cole 299). Since so many people rely on the fish caught around these reefs, limiting stress on them is important. They supply the benefit and necessity of food to many people. In developing countries, coral reefs contribute to one fourth of the fish caught that feed about one billion people in Asia alone (Moore 1). Fish seem to be plentiful, at least right now. Much of the world’s poor population depends on fis... ... middle of paper ... ...urces like water. Citizens can also help by taking showers instead of baths, buying locally grown foods, carpooling, walking, or bicycling. Citizens need to collaborate and motivate one another when it comes to using less fossil fuel. Fixing this issue will certainly be difficult, but we can adjust our lifestyles in a way that’ll keep the environment safe for coral reefs. Human, nonhuman and coral reef health is likely to improve! Paying to save coral reefs will be more beneficial to the world, and international governments should share the cost to protect the reefs. People who pollute more than regulations allow should be fined with that money going towards the maintenance of coral reefs. Food, life-saving medicine, income from tourism, and coastal protection will all diminish if we don’t start helping today!
Being a responsible citizen of the planet can do a lot to protect the environment, and that includes the ocean and its coral reefs.
This article discusses how important the organisms symbiotic with coral reefs are, as well as how important coral reefs are to our environment. Also explained is how natural and non natural things things like hurricanes and overfishing affects them. A study is quoted about how water acidity also plays a role in the bleaching of corals. Lastly, restoration and conservation efforts are discussed and how we could possibly help our oceans.
Given how important coral reefs are, the increasingly disappearance of our coral reef ecosystems will continue to have a detrimental impact on marine biodiversity with in these ecosystems. In addition to the decline of the animal species, job opportunities for many staff members that keep our parks open and healthy for everyone to enjoy, revenue be lost due to the decline in coral reefs. To help ensure this downward spiral in eliminated before it is too late, park officials and scientist conduct continuous research on the effects of ocean acidification and global warming on marine organisms and overall health and longevity of these ecosystems. Ultimately, the goal is to develop ways to intervene before it is to late in hopes that we can reverse the damage already inflicted on our coral reefs and allow these ecosystems to re grow once
Imagine a lush underwater place. Beautiful structures colorful animals and places that would never have been thought of before. In reality that's not what it really looks like, really the ocean is a desolate place that is barren like a desert. Many marine species have been lost by as much as 49%.(seeker) A big part of that reason is because of coral bleaching which causes as stated above a decline in species that depend on the coral as there home. Coral bleaching is a serious problem that could cause problems for everyone if we don’t fix it.
Obura, D. & Grimsditch, D. (2009). Coral reefs, climate change and resilience : an agenda for
In addition to their tremendous ecological benefit, coral reefs are also economically beneficial to humans, as they provide considerable services in terms of tourism, fisheries, and coastline protection. Surveys to determine their total global economic value are imperfect, imprecise, and highly varied in thei...
Coral reefs, which are underwater structures created by calcium carbonate secretions, are some of the richest interdependent ecosystems on Earth. According to Wikipedia, coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of Earth’s ocean surface, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species. Often referred to as the “rainforests of the ocean,” coral reefs are home to thousands upon thousands of species of plants and animals (“Coral Reef”). Not only are they an important part of ocean environments, but coral reefs are also extremely important and beneficial to humans; these reefs protect shorelines and provide countless people with food, jobs, and income sources. However, coral reefs are disappearing at an extremely alarming rate. From overfishing to pollution to sedimentation, the world’s coral reefs are in grave danger and humans must actively work to protect and restore these oceanic rainforests.
Earth, an endless source of wonder and beauty, produced the Great Barrier Reef. Hustling and bustling, the Reef thrives like a busy city, teeming with life. Sheltering thousands, corals, maintain the well-being of the Reef; however, the world threatens its nature and delicacy. Populations growing and technological advances increasing, the world becomes more and more disconnected with the natural world, posing an alarming risk for the planet we live on. Although many organizations try to keep the oceans clean, because of human interference and unnatural occurrences, the Great Barrier Reef needs scientific help to adapt corals to new conditions for means of survival, putting pressure on the Australian government to save their ocean environment.
...rs, disposing litter properly and much, much more. Cutting down on CO2 emissions causes the climate change and ocean acidification to be reduced. Planting trees, especially mangrove trees, close to the ocean or a river can also help the coral reefs. The mangrove trees absorb water, causing less siltation to happen. Trees also convert carbon dioxide (which causes climate change and ocean acidification) into oxygen, which we need to breathe in. You can also improve the current state of coral reefs by picking up any trash you see lying on the ground or in the ocean. It may not belong to you, but picking it up may save a fish or coral’s life. Spreading awareness to other people also has a significant, positive effect on the coral reefs, since more and more people then start doing all the things listed above, and a lot of small actions are just as good as one big action.
The coral reefs of the world need our help now. You do not have to be a marine biologist to have an effect on the reefs around the world. By simply conserving water, you can help limit the water runoff into the oceans. Limit the amount of emissions put off by vehicles by carpooling or taking a bus. Even though we may live thousands of miles away from a coral reef, we must use caution when adding chemicals to our lawns. Planting a tree not only reduces the amount of water runoff; it also lowers the earth’s temperature. Something as simple as spreading the word can have major
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.
Corals provide shelter for nearly one quarter of all known marine species. The reefs are home to over 4000 species of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other forms of plant and animal life. Living coral reefs are the foundation of marine life, and this also means that they are essential for human life, but all over the world they are dead or dying because people are destroying them at a very fast rate. Already 10% have been lost, and there are predictions that 705 of all corals on the planet will be destroyed in 20 to 40 years unless people stop doing what they are doing now – i.e., pollution, sewage, erosion, cyanide fishing, bad tourism.
Coral reefs are well known for their colorful array of marvelous sights including a parade of exotic flora and fauna. They are said to be the foundation for a quarter of marine species, and are a crucial support for human life as well. The coral reef ecosystem is a diverse collection of species (ranging from microscopic to larger-than-life in size) that interact with each other and their physical environment. If any piece of a coral reef is harmed or removed the entire community can be seriously affected, even to the point of collapse. Unfortunately, human impact has resulted in long-term stresses that, unlike the short-term stress of natural disasters, coral reefs are not as capable to recover from. “Approximately half of the world’s coral reef ecosystem resources are considered by scientists to be in 'poor' or 'fair' condition and have declined over time due to several anthropogenic threats” (“Status of Corals” par. 2). Through poorly administered commercial practices, carelessness and ignorance among the common people, and human aggravated natural processes coral reef destruction has become a serious issue afflicting the world’s biodiversity and it’s intricate biosphere mechanics (“Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef” 1) (“What Are Coral Reefs?” 1).
the food source greatly. By not preserving corals, we are taking food directly out of our
Today many people do not see the need to preserve corals reefs. Hence because of the lack of appreciation for the reefs, they are slowly disappearing. Many citizens do not realize the importance of these reefs, the species they hold, and the food webs that connect the ecosystems. Our American government has stated many times that they are doing all they can to preserve and to replenish our coral reefs. However, how accurate is that statement? To answer these questions, we first have to understand what a coral reef is and how it can be saved.