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://open.spotify.com/episode/1rQg5oxlRvUzAjJW1BDRQa
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7nglXlozrxMF6j6aODvGPm
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fHkcNrYrXUB7jNfdCj5ss
https://open.spotify.com/episode/23c1LsXQUHnpBoZkMq886H
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MCdezVDPnhfK35lUP2qKi
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YbyzXZyVUErz9R5SRntXt
https://open.spotify.com/episode/46i8nthF08h9GBQPmbG4YJ
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zcKXfAeWCOYaKwqkZGsgf
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LYvHSvpSzL0KhuRf0ypls
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gRQwOb82Cp9d6WxSIBy0d
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7rmIh8ujn8maRYo7ieZhFq
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ZzMRd12KkaD9OQaqBwvtm
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3lIY2abvltmkSC836Qup9Z
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wGGfjw3OVgoMWXOi8aaZB
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vR336V1DKZ3pnNNu8TYdU
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nQ0MgYiglnG69Y7aaNwDa
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sz0Z3MRjZPerYOAFtuF7v
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3n7lUXKI04neBQTEfVz1z4
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NtHEBuN2Zc9VVlh3IkxFM
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dVINY9m92D3pxG69mgA6U
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sHqRREubV3AvyxPQNUhBM
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Mo0kR3uPAZSbcTqJSzFpi
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BLCVoGaZZQKtlKyi5vwjN
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3TY5clzmnEJtPq7PGCuSih
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TMY4eWU3g7yLKVa77YJ1a
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2efsXktlpa5sMpXhLO1tnK
https://open.spotify.com/episode/67yepoyQfuih051IKgWskO
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wQJSl5gqoQABXIYc47OZx
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1atN0wizmrnZCXCtjvo9Sp
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Vtmqje6fvfm2Gwv12fWYa
https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/31f86af60ee61e1a6c2bf96fe756dfdd752a16414d1bb66e6f81906781e3ef00
https://www.forum-musculation.com/sujet/20656-rylyrlryilyirlryli/
http://opensource.platon.org/forum/projects/viewtopic.php?p=12637859#12637859
https://www.zephyraxis.com/wall/blogs/31973/tuektuektuktukteuktukute
https://forum.theknightonline.com/threads/rwyjrwyjrwyjwryj.478018/
https://forum.gamestategames.com/d/3095-rwyjrwyjrwyjrwyjrwyj
https://forum.leaglesamiksha.com/thread/ywjrrjyrywjrywjyrwj/
https://diendannhansu.com/threads/rwjyryjrwyjryjryjjyrw.506894/
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/105773-rwyjrwyjrwyjrwyj
http://www.limesucks.com/thread/jrwyjrjrjwyy/
https://ekonty.com/topics/view/28467
https://www.ofurea.com/forum/thread/2715/rwjrywjrywjrywjryjwryjyjrw/
https://www.snibc.co.uk/fusion/infusions/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=9288
https://kitemunity.com/forums/topic/7715/teuktkutektuektuk/view/post_id/90004
https://www.yeuthucung.com/threads/tuktuektuktkutuk.481135/
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/114858-wrjryjryjwjyr
https://doc.clickup.com/9018117031/p/h/8crb2x7-3738/af084eb2e498951
https://surveyking.com/w/7nbq7at
https://mypaste.fun/l9i3clda2y
https://microbio.clubeo.com/
https://microbio-brands.clubeo.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Microbio.Male.Enhancement.Brands/
https://www.facebook.com/events/489580057256254
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1440751089975082
https://groups.google.com/g/microbio-brands/c/18Hqb7_RY-E
https://groups.google.com/g/microbio-brands/c/9HH4ZjTuLb8
https://medium.com/Manhoodreviews/microbio-male-enhancement-25ea21849e18 https://medium.com/Manhoodreviews/microbio-male-enhancement-does-it-improve-over-all-sexual-performance-2778a26c9025
https://microbio-male-enhancement-does-it-improve-sexual-perform-32ec.sites.kaltura.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SwisseCalmAndSleepGummiesAustralia
https://sites.google.com/view/swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-/home
https://sites.google.com/view/swissecalmsleepgummies/home
https://groups.google.com/g/swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-australia/c/UFdIsEff5bA
https://groups.google.com/g/swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-australia/c/xVX8Av9Y3kg
https://rajput.clubeo.com/calendar/2024/09/01/swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-australia-is-it-safe-effective?
https://rajput.clubeo.com/calendar/2024/09/01/swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-australia-scam-or-legit?
https://medium.com/dohemas825/swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-australia-is-it-worth-a-try-704dcf018866 https://medium.com/dohemas825/swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-australia-is-it-scam-or-real-product-b26a1ee18f5b
https://swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies-australia.webflow.io/
https://swisse-calm-and-sleep-gummies—7ba972.webflow.io/
https://www.facebook.com/ManhoodGummiesBelgium
https://www.facebook.com/Manhood.Plus.Gummies.Irelands/
https://www.facebook.com/SmartHempGummies.NewZealand.Australia/
https://www.facebook.com/SmartHempCbdOilAustraliashop/
https://www.facebook.com/ManupGummiesReviewsCanada/
https://www.facebook.com/Phoenix.Acoustic.Wave.Device/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1913234082545566/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1913234082545566/
https://www.facebook.com/SmartHempCbdOilAustraliashop/
https://www.facebook.com/DozerexMalaysia/
https://www.facebook.com/HenoxolMalaysiashop/
https://www.facebook.com/ThePhoenixEdDeviceLawsuit/
https://the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit-real-or-scam-read-now-04b7.sites.kaltura.com/
https://the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit-does-it-work-read-real-re-0f3b.sites.kaltura.com/
https://sites.google.com/view/thephoenixeddevicelawsuit/home
https://sites.google.com/view/the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit/home
https://groups.google.com/g/the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit/c/0VdyPzyu5yk
https://groups.google.com/g/the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit/c/j5inrB41Sc
https://pecove7627.clubeo.com/news/2024/09/04/the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit-a-comprehensive-overvi?
https://ramvarma.clubeo.com/calendar/2024/09/03/the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit-price-scam-ingredients-reviews?
https://ramvarma.clubeo.com/calendar/2024/09/03/the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit-are-they-really-worth-buying-in-2024?
https://ecosoft.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/forums/general-discussion/52d8ba56-786a-ef11-a81c-6045bd89eef2
https://ecosoft.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/forums/support-forum/0ed0e9cd-786a-ef11-a81c-6045bd89eef2
https://the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit.webflow.io/
https://the-phoenix-ed-device-lawsuit-9cbbcb.webflow.io/
https://www.facebook.com/TitanBoostDietarySupplementshop/
https://titan-boost-dietary-supplement-boost-your-sex-life-2781.sites.kaltura.com/
https://titan-boost-dietary-supplement-is-it-scam-or-real-produc-9b92.sites.kaltura.com/
https://ecosoft.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/forums/general-discussion/c0608e0f-806a-ef11-a81c-6045bd89eef2
https://ecosoft.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/forums/support-forum/2ff37d5c-806a-ef11-a81c-6045bd89eef2
https://sites.google.com/view/titan-boost-dietary-/home
https://sites.google.com/view/titan-boost-dietary-suppleme/home
https://groups.google.com/g/titan-boost-dietary-supplement-/c/jgNS88ikJ0s
https://groups.google.com/g/titan-boost-dietary-supplement-/c/-P0hqfvEkg
https://pecove7.clubeo.com/calendar/2024/09/03/titan-boost-dietary-supplement-negative-side-effects-or-legit-benefits?
https://pecove7.clubeo.com/calendar/2024/09/03/titan-boost-dietary-supplement-are-they-really-worth-buying-in-2024?
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638109/posts/32050896
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638109/posts/32050897
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638109/posts/32050943
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638109/posts/32050945
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638109/posts/32050949
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638457/posts/32050986
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638457/posts/32050995
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638457/posts/32051000
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638457/posts/32051003
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638670/posts/32051016
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638670/posts/32051020
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638670/posts/32051021
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638670/posts/32051027
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638793/posts/32051044
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638793/posts/32051046
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638793/posts/32051055
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638793/posts/32051054
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638793/posts/32051060
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638793/posts/32051061
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638985/posts/32051077
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638985/posts/32051076
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638985/posts/32051093
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146638985/posts/32051094
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639190/posts/32051115
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639190/posts/32051114
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639190/posts/32051123
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639190/posts/32051124
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639190/posts/32051134
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639190/posts/32051141
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639401/posts/32051182
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639401/posts/32051181
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639401/posts/32051198
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639401/posts/32051212
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639401/posts/32051213
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639584/posts/32051243
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639584/posts/32051245
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639584/posts/32051252
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639584/posts/32051253
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639584/posts/32051261
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639869/posts/32051318
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639869/posts/32051320
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639869/posts/32051324
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639869/posts/32051325
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639869/posts/32051329
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639869/posts/32051330
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146639869/posts/32051333
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146548086/posts/32051359
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146548086/posts/32052525
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146548086/posts/32052536
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146548086/posts/32052534
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645085/posts/32052579
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645085/posts/32052578
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645017/posts/32052575
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645017/posts/32052574
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645017/posts/32052604
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645017/posts/32052603
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645085/posts/32052608
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645085/posts/32052607
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645085/posts/32052620
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645017/posts/32052624
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645085/posts/32052631
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645017/posts/32052633
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645017/posts/32052653
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052683
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052685
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052697
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052698
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052708
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052740
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052745
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645506/posts/32052755
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645824/posts/32052778
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645824/posts/32052779
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645824/posts/32052785
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645824/posts/32052788
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645964/posts/32052815
https://www.strava.com/athletes/146645964/posts/32052813
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618460382822400/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618461244719104/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618462396481537/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618462761385984/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618463314640897/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618464248233984/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618464772128769/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618465137033216/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618466244329473/
https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/topicid-3618467089514496/
https://soundcloud.com/nmia5663/2000guild-wars-2-free-gems-no-verification
https://pitters1.bandcamp.com/album/new-monopoly-go-free-dice-september-no-verification
https://pitters1.bandcamp.com/album/5000-dice-dreams-free-rolls-today-2024-new
https://pitters1.bandcamp.com/album/top-brawl-stars-free-gems-generator-today
https://pitters1.bandcamp.com/album/update-mobile-legends-bang-bang-free-diamonds-generator
https://pitters1.bandcamp.com/album/new-pocket-sized-atm-machine-comprehensive-review-2024
https://www.bigislandimprovementgroup.org/forum/general-discussion/download-deadpool-3-wolverine
Leave a comment