Most people like to travel to different parts of the world for a vacation. Being at beautiful beaches under the hot sun and relaxing sounds like a perfect vacation, does not it? Tourists usually enjoy the clear, blue ocean with fishes and different under water living organisms visible. These picture perfect vacations would not last if people were not being cautious of their everyday acts. The ocean consists of plentiful colorful coral reefs. Some coral reefs today are endangered and it needs to be taking care of for their sake and ours. Protecting and guarding these endangered coral reefs will provide the whole world with long lasting benefits. There are many benefits that coral reefs provide. Reefs support extraordinary biodiversity and are home to a multitude of different types of fish, invertebrates and sea animals. Healthy coral reefs provide habitat, income, food, protection and medicine. “There are strong mutual dependencies between the reef-building corals and reef-inhabiting fishes, with many fish species depending on corals for food and habitat, while corals depend on the grazing by certain fishes for reproductive success.” (2) They supply the benefit and necessity of food to many people. Since many people rely on fish for food, limiting stress on them is important. “Protected areas…benefits…to improved food security for people who rely on the ocean for their daily sustenance and livelihoods.” (3) When coral reefs are interacted with multiple stressors, it is hard for the reefs to restore their original state. In developing countries, most are dependent to some extent on coral reefs for food and livelihood. “Over half (55%) of the 49 islands countries considered are exploiting their coral reef fisheries in an unsustain... ... middle of paper ... ... will decline ocean acidification and oxygen levels. If humans do not start taking actions, who will? While the coral reef ecosystems, the human population also suffers. The economy will deteriorate; people will have less food, decline in fishing jobs, and a decline in tourism. People do not want to see bleached coral reefs while scuba diving. They would want to see coral reefs to be colorful and alive. Society must incorporate their daily actions to help coral reefs from declining. Each and everyone should help out each other to spread the word about coral reefs. Changing our lifestyles a little bit would not be burden; it is for the better for the entire world. It may be difficult for others, but in the long run helping coral reefs ecosystems will help maintain their structure and healthy lifestyle will benefit us for also having a healthy and fresh lifestyle.
Coral reefs are celebrated for their beauty, diversity, the enormous assemblage of life that they sustain and for providing of several vital services to society such as coastal defense, fisheries, ecotourism as well as products for construction and medicinal mixtures (Barker and Roberts, 2004). Regardless of their apparent value, universally the world over coral reefs are in decline due to a varied assortment of anthropogenic stresses such as scuba diving which will be the emphasis in this study (Barker and Roberts, 2004). The positive aspect of diving tourism is the economic gain from user fees which help recompense towards reef management, however it comes with greater repercussions for the coral reefs (Barker and Roberts, 2004).It is clear that coral reefs are a valuable but vulnerable assets to the scuba diving tourism industry, but that with the growth of reef tourism, damage from reef users must be addressed (Barker and Roberts, 2004).
Humans are one of the biggest threats to coral reefs around the world. Coral reefs house a diverse mixture of underwater species like sea turtles, hundreds of different fish species and over a thousand species of mollusks. They are home to an incredible amount of wildlife as well as protecting the coastline from ocean storms.
Humans have a very large effect on the ecosystems of coral reefs. Sensitivity of coral reefs causes them to be more susceptible to harmful anthropogenic practices. Some of these are sedimentation, global warming, recreational activities, poison fishing, blast fishing practices, water pollution, and coral mining. All of these very different practices can effectively end up with the same results; the mortality of coral reefs around the world. Coral reefs are an important ecosystem of the world, and support many different industries and millions of people.
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.
The 7,109 islands that make up the Philippines have a diverse range of both aquatic and land-dwelling life-forms. The coral reefs there and throughout the world are facing new challenges. Pollution, climate change and destructive fishing methods all threaten the health of fragile coral reefs. This is where Samantha has focused much of her work. She dives, takes amazing photographs and videos, and spreads her excitement about marine biology to teach and encourage others about the importance of conserving our oceans and coral
Some ways to help our coral reefs are conserve water: The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans. Help reduce pollution: Walk, bike or ride the bus. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and industry raise lead to ocean warming which causes mass-bleaching of corals and can lead to widespread destruction of reefs. Research what you put on your lawn: Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products flow into the water system, pollute the ocean, and can harm coral reefs and marine life. Dispose of your trash properly: Don't leave unwanted fishing lines or nets in the water or on the beach. Any kind of litter pollutes the water and can harm the reef and the fish. Support reef-friendly businesses: Ask the fishing, boating, hotel, aquarium, dive or snorkeling operators how they protect the reef. Be sure they care for the living reef ecosystem and ask if the organization responsible is part of a coral reef ecosystem management effort. Plant a tree: Trees reduce runoff into the oceans. You will also contribute to reversing the warming of our planet and the rising temperatures of our oceans. Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling: Do not touch the reef or anchor your boat on the reef. Contact with the coral will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill it, so look for sandy bottom or use moorings if available. Volunteer for a coral reef cleanup: You don't live near a coral reef? Then do what many people do with their vacation: visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the most diverse ecosystems on the Earth. Contact your government representatives: Demand they take action
For a long time, human overconsumption has depleted the earth’s resources and as a result, has led to the extinction of any important species in all eco systems. Coral Reefs are a major component to the ocean and its marine food chain. Just like many other ecosystems, the health of coral reefs in general is in a decline, for many reasons. Some reasons include but are not limited to: CO2 emissions, Overfishing, Explosive fishing, and Pollution. Coral Reefs are again one of the most diverse yet fragile ecosystems on the planet, they are also regarded to many marine biologists as “the rainforest of the oceans”. The reefs are not only important to the species from there itself but are also protecting species living near coral reefs. The decline in health won’t only result in harming species in the oceans but also many land creatures as well. The effects of over-fishing have/will break the food chain. Causing cases of over/undergrowth to many species linked with coral. However on the other hand, there are many organizations dedicated to protecting environments that are being threatened due to human activity.
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.
Coral reefs are limited to where they live. Most live in the narrow band of the equator, as they need light, the shallow near shore areas is where most coral reefs can be found. Their biological riches, though, hold value far beyond their beauty. After tropical rain forests, coral reefs may be the most biologically diverse ecosystem, holding a substantial portion of the basics of life on the planet. They form what is thought to be the most species rich ecosystem in the oceans, the crucible of life some 3,000,000,000 years ago. Covering just 0.17% of the ocean floor, an area the size of Texas, coral reefs are home to perhaps one –quarter of all marine species, earning them the title “the tropical rain forests of the Oceans.”
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).
Coral Reefs need to be preserved for many reasons. In this paper I will discuss a
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.