Causes Of Coral Bleaching

The gradual loss of a coral reef environment is further exacerbated when excess algae growth leads to increased levels of disease and the secretion of excess nutrients (Hughes, 2003). Besides algae growth, some species of sponge growing on coral reefs will smother reefs as well (Hughes, 2003). Without the presence of a predator, the removal of angelfish, parrotfish and surgeon fish allows sponges to grow. Grouper fish, are damselfish's natural predator. The diminishing population of grouper fish is causing the health of coral reef environments to decline (Harris, 2009).

The Importance and Distinction of Coral Reefs Nestled in tropical ocean waters, coral reefs provide valuable resources to both human and marine life. Coral reefs are estimated to contain one-quarter of the undersea world's diverse species while covering less than 0.2 % of the ocean floor. However, coral reefs are in serious danger due to both natural and man-made causes (Edmonds, 1998). Population growth and development has altered the coral reef environment. Destructive fishing practices, land-based sources of pollution such as agricultural runoff, and excessive coastal development all have detrimental effects on delicate reefs.

Died corals lead further on to the death of the reef. There are four environmental factors that effect their growth: temperature, salinity, water depth, and wave action. These factors exposes the reef to changes in the environment very easily especially since it is located so close to shore. This also makes it hard for all of... ... middle of paper ... ...e to do something about saving these coral reefs. If these reefs are destroyed it is thought that it might destroy the entire ecosystem of the ocean.

Coral reefs need better protection. In the Cayman Islands coral reefs are on the decline and are slowly dissolving away and need better treatment than what is currently in place. Large portions of coral reefs have been devastated from a variety of people and cruise lines due to carelessness. Coral reefs needs a better safeguard because without them the current path it is taking will have a terrible effect on the fish who make their habitats in the coral, creating a negative effect on the ecosystem. Coral reefs are beautiful ecosystems that resemble a living museum.

There are many ways people can help when on the reef, fishing near the reef, and at home. The world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef, could be on the verge of dying from various reasons, but there are ways people can help preserve it. The reef is dying because of careless human behavior, causing coral bleaching, over fishing, and diminishing water quality. It benefits people by the food, income, and medicine it provides. People can help preserve it when on the reef, fishing and boating, and at-home lifestyles.

These algae produce sugar using sunlight that is transferred into the coral, providing a source of energy and food. Coral reefs are in danger because of... ... middle of paper ... ...e across the board, but I see areas of incredible resilience in even the most severely hit ecosystems.” Rick states, “There are so many places you can go where reefs, if not bouncing back, are at least holding their own in a suppressed state.” For the last 30 or 40 years, the many different types of coral reef destruction has made heavy impacts on coral. Destruction such as coral bleaching, global warming, pollution, and human harm, reefs have suffered substantially over time. Not only does this affect the economy of nations, but also destroys many lives underwater. Marine life forms such as fish and turtles are greatly impacted by this continuous tarnish to coral reefs everywhere throughout the globe.

In response to the near elimination of these species, an industry has developed to raise these species in farm communities. It was the initial belief of many that aquacultures would help offset the demand for more seafood. However, the result of fish farming has only contributed to the depletion of the fish population and to the pollution of the marine ecosystem. With only limited regulations placed upon fishing companies, they are basically able to have free range over the oceans. Because of this, there have been severe effects on many fish species.

But instead, overfishing and destructive fishing has become another threat to the marine ecosystem. Not only do corals protect the fish, the fish also protect the reefs by keeping them clean and giving them nutrients and food to thrive. If there weren’t enough fish in the reefs to do so, the corals would not be able to survive. Destructive fishing also does massive damage to the reefs because in some reefs, people have large nets to catch fish in. This technique is not only pointless, but also harmful because the nets will only get caught in the corals, smashing them and the fish too.

The primary reasons include climate change, unsustainable fishing, and pollution (“Threats”). As the temperature increases the amount of coral bleaching and the spread of diseases will increase as well. The CO2 absorbed into the ocean reduces the amount of coral building. Using bottom-contact gear to fish could directly damage the coral reefs and bottom trawling creates the worst damages where it is allowed. Disease affecting the corals has become a problem recently as well as aquatic invasive species.

Dynamite fishing or blast fishing is known to have direct effects on marine biodiversity especially impacting the coral reef systems where this technique is frequently used. There are other methods destructive like blast or dynamite fishing such as cyanide fishing, both are used widely throughout the Indo-West Pacific Ocean mostly with countries found in SE Asia (Erdmann et al, 2000). These types of destructive fishing can be high risk to marine biodiversity; these techniques threaten too rigorously damage large percentages coral reefs. Additionally loss of coral cover, which reduces both fish abundance and diversity overtime and leading to possible effects at a larger ecosystem function level unless the coral regrowth is sufficient to compensate the loss (Saila, 1993). There are two main types of threats of fishing particularly to fragile systems such as coral reefs, but can additionally be affecting other marine systems.