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/402539701143812097
https://wokwi.com/projects/402539809886400513
https://wokwi.com/projects/402539857080719361
https://wokwi.com/projects/402539906192882689
https://wokwi.com/projects/402539966327676929
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540018027720705
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540069455135745
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540113915810817
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540166258636801
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540214037014529
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540263666123777
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540313369680897
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540360970851329
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540450891528193
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540659872829441
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540715362451457
https://wokwi.com/projects/402540767049934849
https://wokwi.com/projects/402541662847820801
https://wokwi.com/projects/402541707700673537
https://wokwi.com/projects/402541753173237761
https://wokwi.com/projects/402541797996732417
https://wokwi.com/projects/402541842824419329
https://wokwi.com/projects/402541887745434625
https://wokwi.com/projects/402541967925875713
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542031804105729
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542082878160897
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542130213000193
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542177505890305
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542228954291201
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542301112062977
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542384611237889
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542437487785985
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542498476128257
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542545291909121
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542591401994241
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542654618556417
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542697379491841
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542774615518209
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542823919572993
https://wokwi.com/projects/402542876307496961
https://paste.rs/gjPGj.txt
https://jsfiddle.net/sx1gpf2u/
https://snippet.host/yntpbn
https://paste.centos.org/view/6bcf2d19
https://paste.ofcode.org/fq8VudiaW3sbyqnbJyea9D
https://paste.chapril.org/?0fedcbdcdc79bcc6#33gAmo8FaXknMpAATtNQeXdf3o9twp654qEo4wJJEvnE
https://pastebin.com/wPEcXRP8
https://pastebin.freeswitch.org/view/cc67610d
https://paiza.io/projects/vguThGGo8-yDW1Des6pMeQ
https://tempel.in/view/jMyLS
https://bitbin.it/gK6oIpDj/
https://onlinegdb.com/YQjGZLX3Y
https://paste.intergen.online/view/50f88a06
https://paste.thezomg.com/208745/20164330/
https://ivpaste.com/v/mSqtXRPh4K
https://binshare.net/ZwLAksDEy9x46PWuw40E
https://paste.myst.rs/s1gt03ne
https://sharetext.me/lfnhmx9tlj
https://www.facebook.com/VoirAlienRomulusEnStreamingVF/
https://www.facebook.com/AlienRomulusEnStreamingVF.FR/
https://www.facebook.com/TelechargerUnptittrucenplusStreamingVF.FR/
https://www.facebook.com/UnptittrucenplusStreamingVF.FRenFrancais/
https://www.facebook.com/voirunptittrucenplusvostfr/
https://www.facebook.com/Viceversa2StreamingVF.FRenFrancais/
https://www.facebook.com/VoirLeComtedeMonteCristoEnStreamingVF.FR/
https://www.facebook.com/LecomtedeMonteCristoEnStreamingVF/
https://www.facebook.com/Deadpool3.2024FullStoryMThaiHD/
https://www.facebook.com/WatchDeadpool3FullStoryMThai/
https://www.facebook.com/EscapeFilmThaiSUB/
https://www.facebook.com/AlienRomulus2024FilmThaiSUB/
https://www.facebook.com/AlienRomulusFullStoryMThai/
https://www.facebook.com/AlienRomulus2024FullStoryMThaiHD/
https://pastelink.net/s1wt4qfy
https://bitbin.it/p8BAPLMi/
https://pastebin.com/LBYUKXra
http://paste.jp/cd6ebfe7/
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/d1d4c71c
https://www.wowace.com/paste/04614b94
https://dictanote.co/n/1051048/
https://www.etextpad.com/6vaxq05bop
https://paste.gd/1fCAgMCb
https://wokwi.com/projects/406135230906624001
https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/cahakehuz/profile
https://www.planetminecraft.com/forums/minecraft/discussion/zsfczdcfdzzcdsz-687988/
https://www.forexagone.com/forum/presentation-traders/sdvfcdxvfdsfs-136595#234712
https://hackmd.io/@JmHXn_G4SFieqoqG3jZI5w/SkvLc4FcA
https://matters.town/a/3wxzj9zai1zo
https://lifeisfeudal.com/Discussions/question/szdfdsfsadsad
https://glot.io/snippets/gyyex2odpt
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/aba5361e
https://www.wowace.com/paste/9864c3f7
https://jsfiddle.net/treabhsxdg6/xhvn83o0/
https://paste.firnsy.com/paste/eClHJKaqOao
https://foro.ribbon.es/topic/14021/fsgsdgsdgsdgshgdsdgsgddsgsgd
https://www.penana.com/story/162476/dsgsdgsdgsdgsdgsdgdsgfdsfg/issue/1?published=success
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/askextension/thisQuestion.cfm?QuestionID=36997&catID=160&AskSiteID=75
https://b.cari.com.my/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=5368454&extra=
https://paste.enginehub.org/HGACgOdDL
https://bitbin.it/zh6oguy6/
https://hackmd.io/UgDq9Yb4TFSDHOQwHFLZpg
https://paste.gd/hbqtiSHy
https://wokwi.com/projects/406130292469783553
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/1026bfad
https://lifeisfeudal.com/Discussions/question/waktutak
https://xtremepape.rs/threads/frsdgsdhgshdsgdsggsdgsdgsdghdgsdsg.118435/
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/members/fdhsfdgdsggdsdsgsdhgdsgdsgdgsdgsgds
https://communicators.ncsu.edu/members/status/show?id=28883624%3AStatus%3A1679
https://community.goldencorral.com/members/status/show?id=28884144%3AStatus%3A383718
https://tic-tac.teleco.uvigo.es/members/status/show?id=28874944%3AStatus%3A11267
https://network.propertyweek.com/members/status/show?id=28884164%3AStatus%3A76535
https://community.thoracic.org/articles
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/7ea38762
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/ec90f031
https://pastelink.net/3qizkuu5
https://community.tricycle.com/members/status/show?id=28875144%3AStatus%3A31178
https://www.wowace.com/paste/ab044234
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/693ca8fc
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/747f278f
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/bc035d46
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/26cfb608
https://paste.ee/p/6qwrN
https://paste.myst.rs/h4xfa8ri
https://pastelink.net/igblisn2
https://jsfiddle.net/xekw960L/
https://www.wowace.com/paste/98aa7f0c
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/76d94fc0
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/076bf4c8
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/752876af
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/55c0ce31
https://paste.ee/p/lcVv6
https://paste.myst.rs/wruaosc4
https://pastelink.net/vcorhw78
https://jsfiddle.net/nyzxc3jd/
https://www.facebook.com/ver.deadpool.y.wolverine.pelicula.Online.Completa/
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool3.y.Wolverine.online.pelicula.completa
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/
https://x.com/NadaKeylaa/status/1822988222106141084
https://ctftime.org/team/324595
https://ctftime.org/team/324600
https://ctftime.org/team/324684
https://ctftime.org/team/324680
https://ctftime.org/team/324683
https://ctftime.org/team/324605
https://ctftime.org/team/324621
https://ctftime.org/team/324639
https://ctftime.org/team/324645
https://ctftime.org/team/324647
https://ctftime.org/team/324648
https://ctftime.org/team/324650
https://ctftime.org/team/324654
https://ctftime.org/team/324656
https://ctftime.org/team/324657
https://ctftime.org/team/324658
https://ctftime.org/team/324659
https://ctftime.org/team/324661
https://ctftime.org/team/324662
https://ctftime.org/team/324696
https://bit.ly/4dE5vNU
https://fb.watch/tTIQoUBaXF/
https://fb.watch/tTIUuFIYE6/
https://fb.watch/tTIYCsxiZg/
https://fb.watch/tTIZOYaxgf/
https://fb.me/e/5DEBiz6IG
https://fb.me/e/4J9wDf5eG
https://fb.me/e/5hJAAcuBb
https://fb.me/e/2p3r1bSWm
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/108747-httpswwwfacebookcomverintensamente2onlinehd
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/460376740297002
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/1592350884649766
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/2691771630994564
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/477992124869098
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/1503094603911650
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/858840519079663
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/384186721069835
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool.3.and.Wolverine.onlinehd/videos/426291150440978
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool3.y.Wolverine.online.pelicula.completa/videos/953388269810402
https://www.facebook.com/ver.Deadpool3.y.Wolverine.online.pelicula.completa/videos/1540762900126999
https://fb.me/e/7MdSoNLAi
https://fb.me/e/6BV5hHS3t
https://fb.me/e/8TpQw2OVp
https://fb.me/e/3G6XVaXiI
https://fb.me/e/66unLIo4J
https://fb.me/e/2rv7eqLYu
https://fb.me/e/2kABJkgFN
https://fb.me/e/7La5wTG8p
https://fb.me/e/5vklrLiG9
https://fb.me/e/7bX7zT4lF
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::videa-hu-deadpool-rozsomk-teljes-online-2024-magyarul-hd-ingyen
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::indavideo-deadpool-rozsomk-2024-teljes-film-magyarul-hu
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::deadpool-rozsomk-2024-teljes-film-magyarul-online-filmek-videa
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::v-i-d-e-a-deadpool-rozsomk-teljes-filmek-hd-magyarul-online
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::videa-hd-deadpool-rozsomk-2024-teljes-film-magyarul-online-hd
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::1080p-mozicsillag-deadpool-rozsomk-2024-teljes-film-magyarul
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::hd-mozi-deadpool-rozsomk-teljes-film-magyarul-videa-2024
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::hdmozihudeadpoolrozsomakfilmvidea
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::videa-hu-deadpool-rozsomk-teljes-online-2024-magyarul-hd-ingyen-1
https://gisopendata.pima.gov/projects/pima-county-hub::videa-deadpool-rozsomk-2024-teljes-film-magyarul-hu
https://pelisplusveralienromuluspeliculacompleta.quora.com/about
https://qr.ae/p2G34J
https://qr.ae/p2G3wr
https://www.forexagone.com/forum/climat-economique-articles/pelisplus-cuevana-ver-deadpool-3-wolverine-2024-online-136289#234401
https://wokwi.com/projects/406100107038829569
https://community.articulate.com/discussions/building-better-courses/ver-deadpool-3-wolverine-pelicula-completa-online-2024-en-espanol-latino
https://community.articulate.com/discussions/review-360/rewrt5wtr5w4ea
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::fast-lean-pro-reviews-consumer-report-exposed-is-it-a-safe-formula-for-weight-loss-expert-opinions
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::balmorex-pro-reviews-ive-tested-my-honest-experience
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::billionaire-brain-wave-program-non-hype-review
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::alpha-tonic-review-candid-reviews-from-satisfied-users
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::amiclear-latest-reviews-2024-fake-supplements-or-real-results
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::balmorex-pro-reviews-does-it-work
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::sumatra-slim-belly-tonic-reviews-scam-shocking-user-reports-exposed
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::alpilean-reviews-nasty-side-effects-or-fake-concerns
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::alpilean-reviews-updated-negative-side-effects-or-safe-pills-that-work
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::biovanish-reviews-is-it-the-revolutionary-weight-loss-solution
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::biovanish-review-weight-management-and-best-diet-health-benefits-buy-now
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::back-pain-miracle-system-reviews-should-you-buy-the-truth-exposed-matt-cook
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::emperors-vigor-tonic-reviews-beware-customer-warning-a-comprehensive-look-at-user-experiences
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::emperors-vigor-tonic-reviews-is-it-legit-or-hoax-does-emperors-vigor-tonic-really-workemperors-vigor-tonic
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::endo-pump-reviews-2024-real-user-testimonials-and-feedback
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::endo-pump-reviews-does-it-really-work-bare-performance-nutrition-endo-pump
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::endo-peak-reviews-is-it-legit-will-endo-peak-ingredients-work-for-men-or-scam
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::endopeak-reviews-critical-update-safe-blood-flow-support-pills-or-customer-complaints
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::erec-prime-reviews-the-whole-truth-exclusive-supplement-price-pros-cons-ingredients-conclusion
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::erecprime-reviews-does-it-really-work-honest-opinions-from-real-erec-prime-users
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::erecprime-reviews-real-or-fake-results-what-are-users-saying
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::exipure-reviews-shocking-customer-weight-loss-results-or-risky-side-effects-warning
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::exipure-reviews-2024-effective-product-that-works
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::exipure-reviews-how-does-exipure-target-stubborn-belly-fat
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::flowforce-max-australia-reviews-2024-ingredients-benefits-and-side-effects
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::flowforce-max-reviews-real-flowforcemax-customer-complaints-fake-official-website-results
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::flowforce-max-reviews-customer-views-exposed-is-this-clinically-proven-male-health-formula-worth-the-hype
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::glucoberry-dr-mark-weis-the-truth-glucoberry-reviews-glucoberry-blood-sugar-gluco-berry
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::glucoberry-reviews-2024-does-it-support-healthy-blood-sugar-levels
https://data.lacounty.gov/projects/lacounty-hub::glucoberry-reviews-2024-real-feedback-users-share-before-after-results
Leave a comment