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://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-largo-winch-le-prix-de-l-argent-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-maxxxine-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-garfield-heros-malgre-lui-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-intouchables-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-we-are-zombies-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-comme-le-feu-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-full-river-red-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-highway-65-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-l-innocent-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-borderlands-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-trap-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-super-papa-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-petit-panda-en-afrique-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-mon-ami-le-petit-manchot-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-tigresse-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-almamula-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-paddington-2-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-super-wings-vitesse-maximum-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-la-femme-d-a-cote-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-tirez-sur-le-pianiste-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-vivement-dimanche-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-les-deux-anglaises-et-le-continent-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-les-immortels-l-au-dela-chez-les-pharaons-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-goodbye-monster-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-gondola-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-belle-enfant-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-mon-parfait-inconnu-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-deadpool-wolverine-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-le-larbin-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-diner-a-l-anglaise-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-twisters-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-to-the-moon-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-longlegs-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-moi-moche-et-mechant-4-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-elyas-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-blue-lock-le-film-episode-nagi-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-horizon-une-saga-americaine-chapitre-1-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-pourquoi-tu-souris-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-sans-un-bruit-jour-1-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-le-comte-de-monte-cristo-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-vice-versa-2-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-detective-conan-l-etoile-a-1-million-de-dollars-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-caligula-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-les-guetteurs-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://www.fablabs.io/organizations/vostfr-haikyu-la-guerre-des-poubelles-en-streaming-vf-2024-en-francais
https://pastelink.net/3vle9hwb
https://doc.clickup.com/9018117031/p/h/8crb2x7-3278/4f0d5a08269e044
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/106234-regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf
https://www.yeuthucung.com/threads/regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf.474071/
https://kitemunity.com/forums/topic/7187/regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf/view/post_id/87873
https://www.snibc.co.uk/fusion/infusions/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=8616
https://www.ofurea.com/forum/thread/2561/regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf/
https://ekonty.com/topics/view/27261
http://www.limesucks.com/thread/uktukutttutuuttuut/
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/94129-regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf
https://diendannhansu.com/threads/regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf.485737/
https://forum.leaglesamiksha.com/thread/regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf/
https://forum.gamestategames.com/d/2594-regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf
https://forum.theknightonline.com/threads/regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf.475679/
https://www.zephyraxis.com/wall/blogs/11145/Regarder-FILMs-Mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-Streaming-VF
http://opensource.platon.org/forum/projects/viewtopic.php?p=12631180#12631180
https://www.forum-musculation.com/sujet/11129-regarder-films-mon-parfait-inconnu-2024-streaming-vf/
https://paste.rs/l7euQ.txt
https://jsfiddle.net/7mnsjzk2/
https://snippet.host/uqbotu
https://paste.centos.org/view/7c18cc41
https://paste.ofcode.org/bXte5TezYrfJBVe4DV5g4d
https://paste.chapril.org/?2722a5beb17e36c9#GLFRujbJVfd5wDFPXwhz9AF9h72XbYztgPzzehT1Gn6a
https://pastebin.com/CWNUYi6m
https://pastebin.freeswitch.org/view/11b177be
https://paiza.io/projects/YKtehSDpZwKHZxV1AHJEyg
https://tempel.in/view/eSH
https://bitbin.it/uOtiA9pY/
https://onlinegdb.com/DDlM0AQqx
https://paste.intergen.online/view/33ecda9a
https://paste.thezomg.com/211835/96927117/
https://ivpaste.com/v/B6COdbV6OJ
https://paste.myst.rs/sqo8inqu
https://tiny-paste.com/136812/
https://sharetext.me/jo8k0tztaq
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098164920513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098166678513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122101550354506199
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122101558178506199
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108465882495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108468768495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098192118513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122101598972506199
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108515754495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108516972495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098204166513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108535272495782
https://devfolio.co/projects/september-guild-wars-free-gems-no-verification-4428
https://devfolio.co/projects/brawl-stars-free-gems-generator-today-779b
https://devfolio.co/projects/get-snapchat-free-followers-generator-a419
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098164920513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098166678513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122101550354506199
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122101558178506199
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108465882495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108468768495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098192118513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122101598972506199
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108515754495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108516972495782
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122098204166513570
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108535272495782
https://devfolio.co/projects/september-guild-wars-free-gems-no-verification-4428
https://devfolio.co/projects/brawl-stars-free-gems-generator-today-779b
https://devfolio.co/projects/get-snapchat-free-followers-generator-a419
https://www.facebook.com/events/401505979272725/
https://www.facebook.com/events/522757063890234/
https://www.facebook.com/events/793002449426356/
https://www.facebook.com/events/834444392164313/
https://www.facebook.com/events/979097814018550/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1072051031170511/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1515064832452099/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1709085573195042/
https://www.facebook.com/events/4127812367465515/
https://www.facebook.com/events/8129237017169267/
https://www.facebook.com/events/8642626789102603/
https://www.facebook.com/events/8125784280840312/
https://www.facebook.com/events/2160135767704562/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1593453651527858/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1248727419890199/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1055184239339769/
https://www.facebook.com/events/867478148661024/
https://www.facebook.com/events/819456597013001/
https://www.facebook.com/events/546518597727316/
https://www.facebook.com/events/501796529212503/
https://www.facebook.com/events/523856210333983/
https://www.facebook.com/events/818312933838210/
https://www.facebook.com/events/832219762392690/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1035240471285553/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1064962351899551/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1202363980813269/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1272120134132754/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1892510147928665/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1042655034152304/
https://www.facebook.com/events/985876699953036/
https://www.facebook.com/events/2567616680097861/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1072288434456819/
https://www.facebook.com/events/437561779312066/
https://www.facebook.com/events/803586268334650/
https://www.facebook.com/events/474486392090230/
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111005160472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111360558473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119709672462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110866776476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112490484444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112540938461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115759140438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102209646502948
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113783772444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111008706472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111362832473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119712180462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110875002476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112496286444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112543884461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115761054438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102216480502948
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113785218444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111010890472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111364356473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119716260462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110888436476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112501110444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112549722461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115765182438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102234906502948
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113789646444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111015318472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111369144473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119726436462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110902800476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112502448444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112551900461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115767732438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102241350502948
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113791542444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111016368472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111372240473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119732310462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110904882476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111326940473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119629620462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110812866476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112467024444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112510566461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115703028438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113758152444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110975688472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111328602473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119631870462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110814714476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112468758444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112511856461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115704312438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113759868444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110977728472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111346080473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119696082462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110839392476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110840712476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112483368444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112528818461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115739940438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102167496502948
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113775018444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110998380472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111352920473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119702352462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110850006476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112486428444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112534092461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115744206438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102181866502948
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113777154444411
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111000168472188
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122111358170473307
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122119707416462719
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110853420476260
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112489044444046
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122112537686461603
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122115751436438742
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122102202518502948
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122113781786444411
Leave a comment