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:
- https://science.sciencemag.org/content/328/5985/1523
- https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral02_zooxanthellae.html#:~:text=Coral%20polyps%2C%20which%20are%20animals,water%20to%20carry%20out%20photosynthesis
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs003380050249
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/1312064
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404152918.htm
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17300635
- https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/coral-reefs.html
- https://oceanwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Atlas_of_Ocean_Wealth.pdf
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
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
https://mez.ink/iwakirihaya
https://mez.ink/edamitsuaomi
https://mez.ink/haraanda
https://mez.ink/endoyoshino
https://mez.ink/tsutsumieren
https://mez.ink/nakazawafuuk
https://mez.ink/horiise
https://mez.ink/dokurobenten
https://mez.ink/hasegawamai
https://mez.ink/masekazumi
https://mez.ink/kawaguchikah
https://mez.ink/kugimiyaegao
https://mez.ink/nakatanirits
https://mez.ink/yagiui
https://mez.ink/takaiinari
https://mez.ink/ryuzakikohan
https://mez.ink/chinoakoto
https://mez.ink/muranakayayo
https://mez.ink/nagaokakouko
https://mez.ink/etoutsuwa
https://mez.ink/mizushimarin
https://mez.ink/yokotaerena
https://mez.ink/kitabayashis
https://mez.ink/nomikyoko
https://mez.ink/hokamahonami
https://mez.ink/aoiryo
https://mez.ink/fujikawahira
https://mez.ink/yoshizawakof
https://mez.ink/hasetomo
https://mez.ink/uemuramine
https://mez.ink/yoshifumihir
https://mez.ink/yoshihisaemi
https://mez.ink/miyakeeriko
https://mez.ink/furukawaiwa
https://mez.ink/muranomarise
https://mez.ink/morishigeyuk
https://mez.ink/chikaekoiso
https://mez.ink/noyashioko
https://mez.ink/yamakawasuzu
https://mez.ink/horatakako
https://mez.ink/sandayei
https://mez.ink/kayaaoi
https://mez.ink/senrimiya
https://mez.ink/yabekoma
https://mez.ink/koyanagireic
https://mez.ink/kaihina
https://mez.ink/iwakirihaya
https://mez.ink/edamitsuaomi
https://mez.ink/haraanda
https://mez.ink/endoyoshino
https://mez.ink/tsutsumieren
https://mez.ink/nakazawafuuk
https://mez.ink/horiise
https://mez.ink/dokurobenten
https://mez.ink/hasegawamai
https://mez.ink/masekazumi
https://mez.ink/kawaguchikah
https://mez.ink/kugimiyaegao
https://mez.ink/nakatanirits
https://mez.ink/yagiui
https://mez.ink/takaiinari
https://mez.ink/ryuzakikohan
https://mez.ink/chinoakoto
https://mez.ink/muranakayayo
https://mez.ink/nagaokakouko
https://mez.ink/etoutsuwa
https://mez.ink/mizushimarin
https://mez.ink/yokotaerena
https://mez.ink/kitabayashis
https://mez.ink/nomikyoko
https://mez.ink/hokamahonami
https://mez.ink/aoiryo
https://mez.ink/fujikawahira
https://mez.ink/yoshizawakof
https://mez.ink/hasetomo
https://mez.ink/uemuramine
https://mez.ink/yoshifumihir
https://mez.ink/yoshihisaemi
https://mez.ink/miyakeeriko
https://mez.ink/furukawaiwa
https://mez.ink/muranomarise
https://mez.ink/morishigeyuk
https://mez.ink/chikaekoiso
https://mez.ink/noyashioko
https://mez.ink/yamakawasuzu
https://mez.ink/horatakako
https://mez.ink/sandayei
https://mez.ink/kayaaoi
https://mez.ink/senrimiya
https://mez.ink/yabekoma
https://mez.ink/koyanagireic
https://mez.ink/kaihina
https://mez.ink/hamanokanna
https://mez.ink/wadafuyuko
https://mez.ink/edanosakuro
https://mez.ink/fujinoichi
https://mez.ink/wakayoshikon
https://mez.ink/yanagimachim
https://mez.ink/sogahitomi
https://mez.ink/miharahonoka
https://mez.ink/nakatahana
https://mez.ink/fujiinari
https://mez.ink/kaipoemu
https://mez.ink/kojimamieko
https://mez.ink/kandaamarant
https://mez.ink/kaibakozakur
https://mez.ink/yamabesachi
https://mez.ink/sakakibarari
https://mez.ink/suenosuzuko
https://mez.ink/ugumorihotar
https://mez.ink/codasukey
https://mez.ink/miyabeakirak
https://mez.ink/konorena
https://mez.ink/kondoisoko
https://mez.ink/nishiokatoki
https://mez.ink/akagawakasum
https://mez.ink/eharakiyo
https://mez.ink/wakatsuchiek
https://mez.ink/iwayanagimis
https://mez.ink/sumisumasae
https://mez.ink/shimodatsuya
https://mez.ink/yajimakina
https://mez.ink/takamitsutam
https://mez.ink/oshimanamika
https://mez.ink/wataseyukiji
https://mez.ink/manoyokkako
https://mez.ink/wakayamaring
https://mez.ink/nagatsukasai
https://mez.ink/mayedaiona
https://mez.ink/tsukiyomitad
https://mez.ink/furusawarino
https://mez.ink/enatsuayao
https://mez.ink/uramotohisae
https://mez.ink/uesugiyodo
https://mez.ink/sasakiamari
https://mez.ink/yanagidakaor
https://mez.ink/sugiharahosh
https://mez.ink/okurakiri
https://mez.ink/maseerena
https://mez.ink/uyemurakanna
https://mez.ink/gomiayao
https://mez.ink/murakamiyuma
https://mez.ink/inouyeisa
https://mez.ink/wakabayashic
https://mez.ink/yoshiyukinor
https://mez.ink/wakamuranats
https://mez.ink/ideiki
https://mez.ink/usuikioko
https://mez.ink/murayamaaira
https://mez.ink/konishieire
https://mez.ink/uchiyamasato
https://mez.ink/aikawahomugi
https://mez.ink/umezawakinuy
https://mez.ink/muramaiya
https://mez.ink/yanagidamegu
https://mez.ink/matsumotoaya
https://mez.ink/noyachizuru
https://mez.ink/kabutochiyek
https://mez.ink/miharaiori
https://mez.ink/kashiwagiemi
https://mez.ink/okitaome
https://mez.ink/obiyuka
https://mez.ink/arashirosaki
https://mez.ink/yamajiorimi
https://mez.ink/ushijimatame
https://mez.ink/horitamiyo
https://mez.ink/mukairen
https://mez.ink/fujimoriyumi
https://mez.ink/matsuyamasak
https://mez.ink/uchiyamatosh
https://mez.ink/matsuoarisa
https://mez.ink/futakieba
https://mez.ink/konumashihob
https://mez.ink/nishiharasui
https://mez.ink/yaguchimio
https://mez.ink/minamikanon
https://mez.ink/kiyotamiyo
https://mez.ink/nakatanifuta
https://mez.ink/fukuyamanikk
https://mez.ink/nishizakamis
https://mez.ink/kuronumasada
https://mez.ink/koganegemmei
https://mez.ink/osakikanna
https://mez.ink/kumagaichihi
https://mez.ink/ogurayoshiko
https://mez.ink/nittaharu
https://mez.ink/yamamurahito
https://mez.ink/somawaka
https://mez.ink/domenerize
https://mez.ink/edamitsuino
https://mez.ink/konyakayo
https://mez.ink/ichikawashin
https://mez.ink/hamanokanna
https://mez.ink/wadafuyuko
https://mez.ink/edanosakuro
https://mez.ink/fujinoichi
https://mez.ink/wakayoshikon
https://mez.ink/yanagimachim
https://mez.ink/sogahitomi
https://mez.ink/miharahonoka
https://mez.ink/nakatahana
https://mez.ink/fujiinari
https://mez.ink/kaipoemu
https://mez.ink/kojimamieko
https://mez.ink/kandaamarant
https://mez.ink/kaibakozakur
https://mez.ink/yamabesachi
https://mez.ink/sakakibarari
https://mez.ink/suenosuzuko
https://mez.ink/ugumorihotar
https://mez.ink/codasukey
https://mez.ink/miyabeakirak
https://mez.ink/konorena
https://mez.ink/kondoisoko
https://mez.ink/nishiokatoki
https://mez.ink/akagawakasum
https://mez.ink/eharakiyo
https://mez.ink/wakatsuchiek
https://mez.ink/iwayanagimis
https://mez.ink/sumisumasae
https://mez.ink/shimodatsuya
https://mez.ink/yajimakina
https://mez.ink/takamitsutam
https://mez.ink/oshimanamika
https://mez.ink/wataseyukiji
https://mez.ink/manoyokkako
https://mez.ink/wakayamaring
https://mez.ink/nagatsukasai
https://mez.ink/mayedaiona
https://mez.ink/tsukiyomitad
https://mez.ink/furusawarino
https://mez.ink/enatsuayao
https://mez.ink/uramotohisae
https://mez.ink/uesugiyodo
https://mez.ink/sasakiamari
https://mez.ink/yanagidakaor
https://mez.ink/sugiharahosh
https://mez.ink/okurakiri
https://mez.ink/maseerena
https://mez.ink/uyemurakanna
https://mez.ink/gomiayao
https://mez.ink/murakamiyuma
https://mez.ink/inouyeisa
https://mez.ink/wakabayashic
https://mez.ink/yoshiyukinor
https://mez.ink/wakamuranats
https://mez.ink/ideiki
https://mez.ink/usuikioko
https://mez.ink/murayamaaira
https://mez.ink/konishieire
https://mez.ink/uchiyamasato
https://mez.ink/aikawahomugi
https://mez.ink/umezawakinuy
https://mez.ink/muramaiya
https://mez.ink/yanagidamegu
https://mez.ink/matsumotoaya
https://mez.ink/noyachizuru
https://mez.ink/kabutochiyek
https://mez.ink/miharaiori
https://mez.ink/kashiwagiemi
https://mez.ink/okitaome
https://mez.ink/obiyuka
https://mez.ink/arashirosaki
https://mez.ink/yamajiorimi
https://mez.ink/ushijimatame
https://mez.ink/horitamiyo
https://mez.ink/mukairen
https://mez.ink/fujimoriyumi
https://mez.ink/matsuyamasak
https://mez.ink/uchiyamatosh
https://mez.ink/matsuoarisa
https://mez.ink/futakieba
https://mez.ink/konumashihob
https://mez.ink/nishiharasui
https://mez.ink/yaguchimio
https://mez.ink/minamikanon
https://mez.ink/kiyotamiyo
https://mez.ink/nakatanifuta
https://mez.ink/fukuyamanikk
https://mez.ink/nishizakamis
https://mez.ink/kuronumasada
https://mez.ink/koganegemmei
https://mez.ink/osakikanna
https://mez.ink/kumagaichihi
https://mez.ink/ogurayoshiko
https://mez.ink/nittaharu
https://mez.ink/yamamurahito
https://mez.ink/somawaka
https://mez.ink/domenerize
https://mez.ink/edamitsuino
https://mez.ink/konyakayo
https://mez.ink/ichikawashin
https://mez.ink/fukudayumisa
https://mez.ink/kikuchitokiw
https://mez.ink/hadamasako
https://mez.ink/funaichihiro
https://mez.ink/yamamotoharu
https://mez.ink/shibatadako
https://mez.ink/sawayaasa
https://mez.ink/osadauno
https://mez.ink/daigosukey
https://mez.ink/ohorinomi
https://mez.ink/uesatotsukik
https://mez.ink/kudoumisa
https://mez.ink/isobeasaji
https://mez.ink/kashiwagina
https://mez.ink/amemoritamam
https://mez.ink/miyabenami
https://mez.ink/tsukiyomiris
https://mez.ink/kuboemika
https://mez.ink/noyayufu
https://mez.ink/sugawaratsuk
https://mez.ink/mikisatsuki
https://mez.ink/morimotochiy
https://mez.ink/shimomurachi
https://mez.ink/arimakuma
https://mez.ink/umezawachizu
https://mez.ink/kitaniruri
https://mez.ink/kugomichie
https://mez.ink/hirumaishi
https://mez.ink/arayaeari
https://mez.ink/onouereiko
https://mez.ink/iwayanagitoy
https://mez.ink/mizutaniokim
https://mez.ink/shimomurayum
https://mez.ink/yanagimotoka
https://mez.ink/enomotokonek
https://mez.ink/hadasuzume
https://mez.ink/shibarieko
https://mez.ink/teruyanadesh
https://mez.ink/haradaie
https://mez.ink/mizutaniamay
https://mez.ink/yonezawamaem
https://mez.ink/umezakihatsu
https://mez.ink/fukushimashi
https://mez.ink/imaimayuko
https://mez.ink/muranakamuts
https://mez.ink/uesatoumeka
https://mez.ink/nonakaerisu
https://mez.ink/ushijimatoki
https://mez.ink/higachiyako
https://mez.ink/nakataniemin
https://mez.ink/miyaguchimis
https://mez.ink/hachimitsuka
https://mez.ink/arakakihibar
https://mez.ink/chikanarimiz
https://mez.ink/asatoiori
https://mez.ink/kawashimauki
https://mez.ink/takayamayuki
https://mez.ink/horakagami
https://mez.ink/natsukawarin
https://mez.ink/wakitami
https://mez.ink/yagiyu
https://mez.ink/igarashisute
https://mez.ink/himurakyoko
https://mez.ink/okaneazami
https://mez.ink/okamotomegum
https://mez.ink/ishimotodai
https://mez.ink/watsujiiako
https://mez.ink/tanjimidori
https://mez.ink/ishiwariwaka
https://mez.ink/kawashimakao
https://mez.ink/shimekiho
https://mez.ink/teruyaichiko
https://mez.ink/kobashigawah
https://mez.ink/otonaritami
https://mez.ink/imaedayuriko
https://mez.ink/koyasuririko
https://mez.ink/uozumihonami
https://mez.ink/sanoaira
https://mez.ink/usuimana
https://mez.ink/ugumorihikar
https://mez.ink/nagamineare
https://mez.ink/okawafujiko
https://mez.ink/oharaeire
https://mez.ink/shojieba
https://mez.ink/kawabatachiy
https://mez.ink/egawamatsuko
https://mez.ink/ichiokajun
https://mez.ink/naegimanami
https://mez.ink/watsujikami
https://mez.ink/hokamasuzuki
https://mez.ink/ishiwatakuni
https://mez.ink/tanabeotsu
https://mez.ink/sugitayuki
https://mez.ink/homurayawara
https://mez.ink/sakatachiko
https://mez.ink/takishimaemi
https://mez.ink/senokaneru
https://mez.ink/nakadayuma
https://mez.ink/takakuwaeru
https://mez.ink/ikedamikazuk
Leave a comment