sustainability · 4716 comments ·

Coral Reefs as a Marker of Environmental Change

Coral Reefs as a Marker of Environmental Change

Coral is highly sensitive to its external environment. Changes in ocean temperature, pollution and run-off,  and pH (ocean acidification) can cause them to 'bleach' (1). When bleached, they can survive if optimal conditions return. However, if the stress is sustained, they will eventually die. As such, coral reefs are deeply threatened by environmental change and therefore make a good marker for the health of ocean ecosystems.

 

What is coral bleaching?

Coral live in a symbiotic relationship with microscopic, photosynthetic, algae called zooxanthellae (2). Like plants, the zooxanthellae capture sunlight and convert it into energy, providing essential nutrients to the coral (3). In return, the coral provides a protected environment for the zooxanthellae to live. Aside from providing nutrients, the zooxanthellae are also responsible for the colouring of many stony corals.

Under conditions of stress caused by changes in ocean temperature, agricultural run-off, and ocean acidification, resulting from human activities releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, the coral polyps expel their zooxanthellae, causing them to take on a white appearance, what is known as "coral bleaching" (4). The coral will not die instantly when the zooxanthellae is expelled, but if the period of stress is sustained, the zooxanthellae will be unable to re-enter the coral tissue, the coral will not get the essential nutrients it needs to survive.

What is left is the corals calcium carbonate skeleton. Algae begins to grow over the coral skeletons, blocking any chance of regrowth. After time, the skeletons will erode, resulting in the collapse of the reef structure. This collapse is not just an eyesore, it has catastrophic impacts for the ocean ecosystem, fisheries and local communities that depend on the reef for an income.

 

Why is it Important That we Protect Coral Reefs?

Habitat - Coral skeletons are an important component of the reef architecture and provide a habitat for 25% of all marine species (5). They provide shelter, spawning grounds and protection from predators. In their absence, fish stocks will decline, this has a knock-on effect to local communities who are reliant on fish for their main source of protein.

Tourism and Recreation - For coastal communities that are reliant on tourism for their income, the health of coral reefs is paramount to their survival. Ecotourism provides thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in income. It has been estimated that coral reefs have a global economic value of $36 billion per year (6).

Coastline Protection  - Coral reefs absorb 97% of a waves energy (7), acting as a buffer against storm events, such as hurricanes and tsunamis, to 150,000 km of global tropical coastlines in over 100 countries (8).

Pharmaceuticals - Due to the stationary nature of coral, it has developed a plethora of chemical defences in order to gain protection from predators and to fight disease. Coral is therefore becoming increasingly recognised as an important source of new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's and arthritis.

 

What Can we do to Help?

Although small changes at home will make a difference (e.g. buying organic food as to not contribute to the use of pesticides and herbicides), the real issue here is climate change which requires global cooperation and action to reduce emissions and slow global warming. The death of coral reefs is not just a great loss to the ocean but it will greatly impact millions of people, in over 100 countries, who rely on the reefs for their income and as a food source.

 

References:

  1. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/328/5985/1523
  2. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral02_zooxanthellae.html#:~:text=Coral%20polyps%2C%20which%20are%20animals,water%20to%20carry%20out%20photosynthesis
  3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs003380050249
  4. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1312064
  5. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404152918.htm
  6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17300635
  7. https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/coral-reefs.html
  8. https://oceanwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Atlas_of_Ocean_Wealth.pdf

4717 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • uetkteuktku

    https://wokwi.com/projects/402549691111694337
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402549795868698625
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402549839104661505
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402549913041898497
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402549963128186881
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550075596364801
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550121321621505
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550166311837697
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550429843133441
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550472271670273
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550568608550913
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550625829367809
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550673417949185
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550758087327745
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550802501863425
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550871882998785
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550914980531201
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402550957445770241
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551098549511169
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551152702178305
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551198114961409
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551262730317825
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551390328398849
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551465868892161
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551521701397505
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551582227323905
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551633475432449
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551688299188225
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551738231329793
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551801334638593
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551846214747137
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551921290696705
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402551970180558849
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552011055106049
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552074381765633
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552135908018177
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552182899956737
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552261294654465
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552306588949505
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552361641299969
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552401994703873
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552454620647425
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552500731780097
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552544002320385
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552587869503489
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552643870808065
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552685565337601
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552751816473601
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552807009326081
    https://wokwi.com/projects/402552864423067649

    https://paste.rs/pOlFx.txt
    https://jsfiddle.net/72jvucbe/
    https://snippet.host/qmujes
    https://paste.centos.org/view/4868e1c3
    https://paste.ofcode.org/d7UFVVkhmy3uWdi46Nb3AG
    https://paste.chapril.org/?614335d216146090#7nnuvsBqo5o6m9ff7LEzdhum1y4pJzxUPFrCQioCf7qo
    https://pastebin.com/a6EggWqK
    https://pastebin.freeswitch.org/view/5e0a7800
    https://paiza.io/projects/Cvrs3tgIQ3Z8OVAkkfDN_w
    https://tempel.in/view/A5mSMcr
    https://bitbin.it/qBKbi9aN/
    https://onlinegdb.com/TeWi_EJh_
    https://paste.intergen.online/view/a48a045c
    https://paste.thezomg.com/208750/17201647/
    https://ivpaste.com/v/8LjjOCOydK
    https://binshare.net/ToO4ZD65LBiK4g7nVBpt
    https://paste.myst.rs/b454ar0y
    https://sharetext.me/wftofzkr8q

  • vfrgtergtr

    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087757/sledujte-lsko-neblzni-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087758/filmyhd-lsko-neblzni-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087759/sledujte-lsko-neblzni-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087760/lsko-neblzni-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087761/sledujte-lsko-neblzni-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087771/sledujte-jak-vycviit-draka-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087772/filmyhd-jak-vycviit-draka-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087773/sledujte-jak-vycviit-draka-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087774/jak-vycviit-draka-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087775/sledujte-jak-vycviit-draka-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing
    https://keepo.io/Fenickespiknuticelyfilmcz1
    https://keepo.io/Fenickespiknuticelyfilmcz2
    https://keepo.io/Fenickespiknuticelyfilmcz3
    https://keepo.io/Fenickespiknuticelyfilmcz4
    https://keepo.io/Fenickespiknuticelyfilmcz5
    https://keepo.io/Klaunvkukuricnempolicelyfilm1
    https://keepo.io/Klaunvkukuricnempolicelyfilmc2
    https://keepo.io/Klaunvkukuricnempolicelyfilm3
    https://keepo.io/Klaunvkukuricnempolicelyfilm4
    https://keepo.io/Klaunvkukuricnempolicelyfilm5

  • TUAN MUDA

    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594361228/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594361420/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594361919/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594361806/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594361884/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594363041/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594363751/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594363661/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594363278/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594363900/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594647168/
    https://www.imdb.com/pt/list/ls594647657/
    https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls594327245/
    https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls594327463/
    https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls594327937/
    https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls594327865/
    https://www.imdb.com/es/list/ls594321013/
    https://github.com/missao-impossivel-dublado-hq
    https://github.com/lilo-stitch-dublado-hq
    https://github.com/premonicao-6-dublado-hq
    https://github.com/bailarina-dublado-pt
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1086920/kingdom-5
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1086931/bhairavam-2025-full-movie-filmyzilla
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1086933/pushpa-the-rule-part-2-2025-full-movie-filmyzilla
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1086939/odela-2-2025-full-movie-filmyzilla
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1086946/jaat-2025-full-movie-filmyzilla
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087489/assistir-bailarina
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087525/pecadores
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087531/assistir-bailarina-2025-pt-filme-completo-dublado-em-portugues
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087591/siccn-8-2025-flm-zle-trke-ve-altyaz-h
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087593/ballerina-2025-flm-zle-trke-ve-altyaz-h

    https://superkyy.tawk.help/article/terbaru
    https://hackmd.io/yuliaaa/TERBARU https://yodayo.com/posts/f2471ea3-935e-428b-895a-c532c4f0274a https://br.advfn.com/forum/perfil/terbaru2025 https://scrapbox.io/superkyy/TERBARU https://qna.habr.com/user/SuperKyy https://forum.ripper.store/post-queue/topic-1749270209886 https://hype.co/m0vieany0ne
    https://popl.co/profile/2jEv0PKd/dash
    https://direct.me/terbaru2025
    https://solo.to/m0vieany0ne1
    https://heylink.me/terbaru2025/
    https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/yuliaaa/profile
    https://muckrack.com/yuniaw936-yuniaw936/bio
    https://codepen.io/yunia-Wati/pen/gbYNYjq
    https://magic.ly/tuanmudapgsoft/TERBARU
    https://paste.centos.org/view/6cb2d68c
    https://freepaste.link/t3nczgoijn
    https://www.sidehustleads.com/business-opportunities_2/terbaru_i2071611
    http://nexusstem.co.uk/community/main-forum/terbaru/
    https://paste.imirhil.fr/?dd0156d95f1cd0f4#fEWIDIsU5C+2zYlI5RarCj47Jxw/Qqjt0vDP/pPzME4=
    https://about.me/m0vieany
    https://ivpaste.com/v/LjpuGEDTT8
    https://wokwi.com/projects/433077078680480769
    https://p.ip.fi/yI3K
    https://paste.laravel.io/79bbc5bc-dfe7-4b26-a8de-339e46323e52
    https://jsitor.com/74lbbzp-0kL
    https://jsbin.com/lasuqiwuzo/edit?html,output
    https://www.wowace.com/paste/969b8181
    https://pastebin.com/Y2AqGmc4
    https://pastelink.net/wfytsm18
    https://www.etextpad.com/zriptrcoqk
    https://glot.io/snippets/h82d754tdu
    https://rextester.com/VEXMY32120
    https://ideone.com/19DOR0
    https://anonpaste.com/share/terbaru-d64fd8db69
    https://justpaste.me/NlzV2
    https://paste.intergen.online/view/65848868
    https://paste.thezomg.com/345276/27371517/
    https://snippet.host/weqkre
    https://paiza.io/projects/unECIAGAQxbKNBjhsd6o5g
    https://onlinegdb.com/n8oEnhz7i
    https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/64383/terbaru
    https://imgur.com/gallery/sekybluee-ALhueQs
    https://anyone3.bandcamp.com/album/terbaru
    https://graph.org/TERBARU-06-07
    https://app.daily.dev/posts/terbaru-m4ilzznuj
    https://writeablog.net/yiskn4shxs
    https://medium.com/@yuniaw936/terbaru-2ed25b261311
    https://matters.town/a/l1eg6udqvtmj
    https://www.bitsdujour.com/profiles/dTjdZ8
    https://id.carousell.com/p/terbaru-1373439549/
    https://www.adpost4u.com/for-sale/animals/960780/terbaru
    https://lebanonhub.app/posts/340306
    https://lebanonhub.app/posts/340308
    https://123movieshd4k.mybloghunch.com/terbaru
    https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/247093-terbaru
    https://mymediads.com/terbaru
    https://cloudhound.flarum.cloud/u/babysuzy
    https://www.phyconomy.org/community/main-forum/terbaru/
    https://brainly.ro/tema/11771362
    https://fivedollarclassifieds.com/business-opportunities_2/terbaru_i137749

  • vfrgtergtr

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/nebelkindkonecmlencelyfilm
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/krtkvsvtcelyfilm
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/balernacelyfilm
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/onetoonejohnyokocelyfilm
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/klaunvkukuinmpolicelyfilm
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/fnickspiknutcelyfilm
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/e1b91495-e4e8-4046-9233-4b520519fd63
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/b051545d-1d5f-4033-890c-addfcabba510
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/0acc1dd3-84f9-4c2f-9c13-2812208e7c6f
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/64b3273d-c6c5-4df7-92af-c68df74f0a2d
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/f49e013d-04ef-49c9-8b89-08d275248034
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/48c20de9-b1c1-46fc-ab14-d192f669566e
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/c2774958-2f45-4ae8-9ef7-c05871dfeb20
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/c329d64f-2fde-4365-993b-8bc7347024ee
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/4f3c8419-faed-46c3-8a78-abd122d1dbf6
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/af6b1634-09ad-44af-96d7-09eb7d1c0f77
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/f4fe0d0e-d375-4351-b7f3-b97cb9721fcf
    https://knowt.com/flashcards/562094d6-a2a7-4771-b8cc-a31d5b43af74

  • ROSSE

    http://nopaste.ceske-hry.cz/1546509
    https://paiza.io/projects/5UK9TxMdtDQ0JY2Xx3bp8w
    https://binshare.net/j7rZVa7EIGUoY2pFAI2J
    https://ctxt.io/2/AAB425ZuEg
    https://www.pastery.net/cxbkaj/
    https://snippet.host/bzrwhw
    https://rentry.co/om6op7zq
    https://pastelink.net/d99ubq3g
    https://pastecode.dev/s/6i3ac0py
    https://paste2.org/IY00PAdh
    https://paste.toolforge.org/view/05cb4e0d
    https://paste.thezomg.com/345230/17492615/
    https://paste.ofcode.org/RkW73E99zc8RMP8wyW7jzr
    https://paste.myst.rs/nqi4ynvi
    https://paste.kodi.tv/ufiziwuhem
    https://paste.intergen.online/view/77966d73
    https://paste.imirhil.fr/?d8e644dba23cb6e9#IAn8Fp8SQ27sjigWJw11ukDBBuMSAp2hjFzDL89QXL4=
    https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/16EaWuTpl6h
    https://paste.cutelyst.org/ELlHOBbrS
    https://paste.centos.org/view/80f4932f
    https://onlinegdb.com/BK4y-TTis
    https://notes.io/w4iM6
    https://glot.io/snippets/h827rxzv3y
    https://paiza.io/projects/QvGkpcOSPjEFhzisbxAEOQ
    https://justpaste.it/iapy8
    https://freepaste.link/tezeo4fnrj
    https://etextpad.com/nihh4rsw74
    https://freepaste.link/dkomp9frwp
    https://tempel.in/view/5y2W72N
    https://telegra.ph/YUU-06-07-3
    https://pastebin.com/ycGPqu6u
    https://paste.laravel.io/6418bcf6-e9ab-427a-98b0-b130b69e43d3
    https://ideone.com/EVoMEb
    https://etextpad.com/sfolitqx8u
    https://telegra.ph/YUU-06-07-4
    https://pastebin.com/TJq2Nh1r
    https://paste.laravel.io/eecc42d5-ac9a-45c1-bf51-1eb0c0756e40
    https://ideone.com/IerPvX
    https://telegra.ph/POPI-06-07
    https://paste.laravel.io/8f4157df-dca9-44f6-8111-2ba50f49e5bd
    https://ideone.com/v0U1FL
    https://telegra.ph/EREE-06-07
    https://ideone.com/nH5Ws8
    https://telegra.ph/WOI-06-07
    https://paste.laravel.io/0f8293a0-d783-4246-a5a7-83f057e592a1

  • vfrgtergtr

    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087453/sledujte-nebelkind-konec-mlen-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087456/filmyhd-nebelkind-konec-mlen-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087458/sledujte-nebelkind-konec-mlen-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087460/nebelkind-konec-mlen-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087466/sledujte-nebelkind-konec-mlen-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087476/sledujte-krtkv-svt-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087478/filmyhd-krtkv-svt-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087480/sledujte-krtkv-svt-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087482/krtkv-svt-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087483/sledujte-krtkv-svt-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087512/sledujte-balerna-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087513/filmyhd-balerna-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087514/sledujte-balerna-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087515/balerna-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087517/sledujte-balerna-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087547/sledujte-one-to-one-john-yoko-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087548/filmyhd-one-to-one-john-yoko-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087549/sledujte-one-to-one-john-yoko-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087550/one-to-one-john-yoko-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087551/sledujte-one-to-one-john-yoko-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087560/sledujte-klaun-v-kukuinm-poli-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087561/filmyhd-klaun-v-kukuinm-poli-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087562/sledujte-klaun-v-kukuinm-poli-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087563/klaun-v-kukuinm-poli-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087564/sledujte-klaun-v-kukuinm-poli-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087573/sledujte-fnick-spiknut-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087575/filmyhd-fnick-spiknut-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-sk-cz-dabing-i-titulky
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087578/sledujte-fnick-spiknut-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087579/fnick-spiknut-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-dabing-a-zdarma
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1087580/sledujte-fnick-spiknut-2025-cel-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing

Leave a comment

BLOG