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://bento.me/blink-twice-
https://bento.me/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power
https://bento.me/more-than-strangers
https://bento.me/grazie-ragazzi
https://bento.me/nouveau-depart
https://bento.me/emily-in-paris
https://bento.me/borderlands-2024
https://bento.me/harold-und-die-zauberkreide-
https://bento.me/die-unbeugsamen-ii-guten-morgen-ihr-schonen
https://bento.me/patagonia-
https://bento.me/cuckoo
https://bento.me/sleeping-dogs
https://bento.me/afraid
https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/abigaile/diary/202408110000/
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/106998-deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://foro.ribbon.es/topic/13664/agesfafb
https://foro.ribbon.es/topic/13665/jkashflasfasf
https://paste.enginehub.org/6IKku2fjg
https://paste.myst.rs/rjt9mjd5
https://pastebin.com/cYE85YnH
https://paste.laravel.io/0203858e-bf8f-4ada-8fcd-22433e889a33
https://pastebin.freeswitch.org/view/e44729a7
https://ctxt.io/2/AABY4-I0Fg
https://rentry.co/cartrina
https://pastelink.net/w1bimhwq
https://paste.firnsy.com/paste/ILW8FNEil4a
https://etextpad.com/rvgloaqg8e
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/6418b880
https://paiza.io/projects/rLEdf-9ef1OET-hJDedW-g?language=php
https://pastebin.mozilla.org/10cRoiKH
https://paste.toolforge.org/view/7775e203
https://snippet.host/uhtqvz
https://justpaste.it/2axwn
https://paste.intergen.online/view/f59f44b1
https://tempel.in/me/pastes/1vma5GW
https://telegra.ph/Deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espa%C3%B1ol-latino-08-10
https://www.pastery.net/smkvdf/
https://notes.io/wbK6x
https://tech.io/snippet/X74QdQu
https://ideone.com/UC5y0F
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/92107-deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://forum.instube.com/d/118272-deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/116079-deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://abigaile24.diary.ru/p222090429_deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino.htm
https://forum.woimortal.com/forum/guides/47305-deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://loginza.copiny.com/question/details/id/868477
https://solidice.com/forums/544/topic/fdsfsdgsdgf
https://socialvockmarkingsites.xobor.de/new.php?thread=3&forum=8406&reply=1&replyid=6387053
https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1046985/safsfggdgsuih
https://saphalaafrica.co.za/wp/question/gaknuguds/
https://remed.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/2c7151fb-3d57-ef11-a81c-000d3a2effad
https://hpdcrmportal.dynamics365portals.us/forums/general-discussion/ad4da919-3e57-ef11-b4ad-001dd80afa97
https://goli.breezio.com/discussion/6671169062686459927
https://glot.io/snippets/gyuxmffgw3
https://glot.io/snippets/gyuxml2psh
https://glot.io/snippets/gyuxn002nv
https://jsitor.com/IwydGnJX-W
https://hackmd.io/@Yq6e-ti4RISdyPAKjgDghA/rJ9F6lS50
https://ivpaste.com/v/xZZcs2kP2k
https://jsfiddle.net/Abigaile/srujv328/1/
https://onlinegdb.com/TJf7Hbr1x
https://bitbin.it/vdVyS6dR/
https://paste.myconan.net/501058
https://yamcode.com/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://paste2.org/Xj6OJZAH
http://pastie.org/p/6Tl8UvEF1weDgrNE1gauyl
https://linksome.me/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://members.mainstreetmi.com/members/cartrina-ras
https://playit4ward-sanantonio.ning.com/profile/cartrina
https://healingxchange.ning.com/forum/topics/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espa-ol-latino
http://aldenfamilydentistry.com/UserProfile/tabid/57/userId/868583/Default.aspx
https://www.bitsdujour.com/profiles/fwXPCP
https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/Catrinatan/profile
https://about.me/catrinada
https://muckrack.com/cartrina-sl/bio
https://tooter.in/MaXXXine/posts/112938464358161236
https://heylink.me/one026/
https://mez.ink/cartrina
https://www.tadalive.com/forum/thread/49849/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino/
https://bio.link/cartrina
https://www.khedmeh.com/wall/forum/topic/84611
https://ecuamusica.com/valdomw/blog/1028/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://linkr.bio/Catrina5
https://juicedmuscle.com/forum/general/jm-blog/253880-f-shdjhjsdfg-gsdhfj
http://ofbiz.116.s1.nabble.com/Deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino-tc4784260.html
http://www.fellnasen-service.de/index.php?thread/181354-deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino/
https://www.lifesshortlivefree.com/community/vetted-member-instructions/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino/
https://chodilinh.com/threads/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino.342164/
https://www.yeuthucung.com/threads/asdfddsf.482359/
https://diendannhansu.com/threads/sdfsdfsdgg.510086/
https://forum.theknightonline.com/threads/dfgdfgdfggf.478458/
https://forumketoan.com/threads/dsfsdgfdg.34134/
http://www.wmhelp.cz/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=86024#86024
https://community.articulate.com/discussions/building-better-courses/safasfasfsaf
https://web3devcommunity.com/topic/1980/fdfgfdgdfgdfg
https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/1468/fdgfdhfdh
https://autotext.com/ad/dfhdfh/
https://www.facebook.com/events/845867260838206
https://www.facebook.com/events/1041085030871992
https://www.facebook.com/deadpool2024tw
https://www.facebook.com/events/426364449763097
https://www.facebook.com/events/336980549382592
https://www.facebook.com/UpstreamFullVersion
https://github.com/oshoot25/UpstreamFullVersion
https://github.com/oshoot25/UpstreamFullVersion/issues/1
https://github.com/oshoot25/UpstreamFullVersion/issues/2
https://www.facebook.com/DeadpoolyLobeznoespanol
https://www.facebook.com/events/481743798148006
https://www.facebook.com/events/7869086473145476
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122102381882461659&set=a.122102382866461659
https://bento.me/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://baskadia.com/post/8ivol
https://deadpool-y-wolverine-espanol.hashnode.dev/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espanol-latino
https://medium.com/@karllone/deadpool-y-wolverine-pelicula-completa-espa%C3%B1ol-latino-41d8ae0df9eb
https://linktr.ee/catrina57
https://taplink.cc/deadpool3
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::watch-munjya-2024-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movie-1
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::watch-raayan-2024-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movie-1
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::raayan-2024-fullmovie-filmyzilla-download-free-720p-480p
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::watch-munjya-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies-hd
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::bad-newz-2024fullmovie-filmyzilla-mp4movies-download-free-720p-1080p-hd
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::watch-kalki-2898-ad-2024fullmovie-download-free-720p480p-and-1080-1
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::watchfull-it-ends-with-us-2024-fullmovie-online-english
https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/projects/geotucson::watch-stree-2-2024-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movie
https://ultrafighteronline.com/topic/1649/favxzvxzvxzvxzv
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/106901-vzvxvvvxzzvx
https://forum.instube.com/d/118150-vasdzxvzvxvzv
https://tic-tac.teleco.uvigo.es/members/bbbcxbcxbc
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/92006-vzxvzvxvv
https://forum.freedom-for-icinga.com/topic/1254/vxzgdsgdsg
https://forum.realdigital.org/d/45155-vzxvzxvzvvv
https://community.goldencorral.com/members/kihajf
https://www.forexagone.com/forum/questions-debutants/gdgsgsdgdgg-134556
https://www.digibookmarking.xyz/author/zuhoo-kanak
https://www.digibookmarking.xyz/zuhoo-kanak
https://www.digibookmarking.xyz/our-jaipur-based-company-is-a-reputable-provider-of-call-girl-services
Leave a comment