sustainability · 4668 comments ·

Coral Reefs as a Marker of Environmental Change

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:

  1. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/328/5985/1523
  2. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral02_zooxanthellae.html#:~:text=Coral%20polyps%2C%20which%20are%20animals,water%20to%20carry%20out%20photosynthesis
  3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs003380050249
  4. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1312064
  5. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404152918.htm
  6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17300635
  7. https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/coral-reefs.html
  8. https://oceanwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Atlas_of_Ocean_Wealth.pdf

4669 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • jrwyjwyrjjry

    https://qna.habr.com/user/asfalto
    https://qna.habr.com/user/Lobezno
    https://qna.habr.com/user/dasamcu
    https://qna.habr.com/user/Kompaiiny
    https://qna.habr.com/user/johnlenard
    https://qna.habr.com/user/thomsadams
    https://qna.habr.com/user/sunjinwoche
    https://qna.habr.com/user/yudhachield
    https://qna.habr.com/user/taskmensoldout
    https://qna.habr.com/user/salommyoluna
    https://qna.habr.com/user/roamkakair
    https://qna.habr.com/user/kingsaemael
    https://qna.habr.com/user/himeliois
    https://qna.habr.com/user/unclefarming
    https://qna.habr.com/user/jhonnycruif
    https://qna.habr.com/user/streamnarsus
    https://qna.habr.com/user/pelishaha
    https://qna.habr.com/user/chundaitriyool
    https://qna.habr.com/user/hurryaqal
    https://qna.habr.com/user/murongkong
    https://qna.habr.com/user/salamawasakban
    https://qna.habr.com/user/allwasyrena
    https://qna.habr.com/user/tokichiubay
    https://qna.habr.com/user/jombsviking
    https://qna.habr.com/user/natsuflixs
    https://qna.habr.com/user/grayshawno
    https://qna.habr.com/user/elsasyarief

    https://boosty.to/filmonline/posts/3b75a50a-b5b5-4bda-b2ab-d717f62422c8
    https://forum.freedom-for-icinga.com/topic/1722/utektektukteuktekteuketktektek
    https://forum.its-egner.de/topic/1380/ywrjryjryjwryjwryjrwyj
    https://ultrafighteronline.com/topic/2041/rywjrjrwjrjrywjrjyryw
    https://forum.instube.com/d/119949-ryrwjrwyjrjyrywjrywj
    https://forum.realdigital.org/d/46343-ryjryjrwjrjrwyjryjrwyjrrwyj
    https://toirscript.com/topic/2046/teutktuetektektuektuk
    https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/19daefa3332793110ab1f062fc35502965145fd590e14252837d9a33c5152e4d
    http://opensource.platon.org/forum/projects/viewtopic.php?p=12640245#12640245
    https://www.zephyraxis.com/wall/blogs/37492/rrjryjrjrwyjryjjryjryjryjryj
    https://forum.theknightonline.com/threads/tuktektktek.479025/
    https://forum.gamestategames.com/d/3322-tetekteuktuk
    https://diendannhansu.com/threads/tuektktektktkeetk.514857/
    https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/109451-tektuketuektuek
    http://www.limesucks.com/thread/etkteketketkk/
    https://www.ofurea.com/forum/thread/2785/tkttetkuteuktktekkte/
    https://www.snibc.co.uk/fusion/infusions/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=9513
    https://kitemunity.com/forums/topic/7885/wwryjwyrjwryjwryjywrjyj/view/post_id/90177
    https://www.yeuthucung.com/threads/jrwyjrwyjwryjwryjj.484377/
    https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/118219-yrywrwyjrwyjrjwy
    https://doc.clickup.com/9018117031/p/h/8crb2x7-3878/7fbe14d27d7017a
    https://www.tadalive.com/forum/thread/50399/jrwrrwjywrjrwyjryjrwyrjyw/
    https://www.surveyking.com/survey/2122

  • fesfdefsd

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110856588973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110856702973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110856834973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110856852973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110856942973860

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110858118973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110858130973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110858154973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110858172973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110858208973860

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110860692973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110860704973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110860716973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110860740973860
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122110860764973860

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244136958244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244136928244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244136916244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244136910244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244136898244254

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244136796244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244136712244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244135872244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244135890244254
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122244135644244254

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126065946920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126065940920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126065928920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126065910920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126065838920498

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126062136920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126062130920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126062118920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126062112920498
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126062106920498

  • fesfdefsd

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130325898900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130325382900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130324284900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130324176900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130323876900521&type=3

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130330098900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130330086900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130329468900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130329636900521&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122130329630900521&type=3

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122141615168874036&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122141615162874036&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122141615036874036&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122141614928874036&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122141614862874036&type=3

    https://www.passes.com/criadoresdeidoloscelyfilm
    https://www.passes.com/criadoresdeidolos2025filmes
    https://www.passes.com/criadoresdeidolosonlinedublado

    https://www.passes.com/batalhaatrasdebatalhafilme
    https://www.passes.com/batalhaatrasdebatalhafilmehd
    https://www.passes.com/batalhaatrasdebatalhaonline

    https://www.passes.com/acasadebonecasdafilme2025hd
    https://www.passes.com/acasadebonecasfilmespt
    https://www.passes.com/acasadebonecasfilmeonline

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102871651
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102876906
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102855923
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102802155
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102803029

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102803048
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102850628
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102805677
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102990691
    .
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102854223
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102870432
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102984936
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102990133
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102804961

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102805660
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102948868
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102990161
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102876917
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4102855992

    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/portugal-others-assistir-filme-criadores-de-dolos-online-dubladolegendado-hd/b3dcd745d97340e50ff723b076304f92
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/portugal-others-assistir-filme-batalha-atrs-de-batalha-online-dubladolegendado-hd/57a6ab1b954bb235a0377e41ff2df2c8
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/portugal-family-friends-assistir-filme-a-casa-de-bonecas-da-gabby-o-filme-online-dublado/b1cc2c10636ebecf4b9288a556636ff8

  • fesfdefsd

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104751664
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104526039
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104589218
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104526067
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104700087

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104526027
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104529399

    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-performing-visual-arts-sledujte-v-zajet-dmon-4-posledn-rituly-2025-cel-film-czsk/1688f05b0c25ef555a78c2b5d26e6ba5
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-others-sedutev-zajet-dmon-4-posledn-rituly-2025-cel-film-online-cz/868fef0afab2595f32115a1a2180ecac
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-performing-visual-arts-sledujte-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-2025-cel-film-czsk/e94a95ca4288659cfd98ccf30090e2c7
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-others-sedutedemon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-2025-cel-film-online-cz/2473422c0afcd477d84d0db4c897f3c8
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-performing-visual-arts-sledujte-wednesday-season-2-2025-cel-film-czsk/d8acd1f81d18cafcb21d6dccff221c89
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-others-sedutewednesday-season-2-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma/a0cb9c30ded25d5e0dd48f0a6194fa0d
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-performing-visual-arts-sledujte-dexter-vzken-2025-cel-film-czsk/0b8a9c9f108b2bf4fc903ec968fa8297
    https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/czechia-others-sedutedexter-vzken-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk-a-zdarma/59c0a7237367caf8cde57d39efa5633c

  • fesfdefsd

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104586463
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104538136

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104719660
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104529171

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104538136
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104719660

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134506320907357&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134506212907357&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134506128907357&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134505810907357&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134505720907357&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134505636907357&type=3

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134085870889864&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134085906889864&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134087322889864&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134087136889864&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134086968889864&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122134086146889864&type=3

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126752652935619&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126752640935619&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126752634935619&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126751914935619&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126751908935619&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122126751896935619&type=3

  • fesfdefsd

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104007647
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104012434
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104001829
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104070161

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104078812
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104059551
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104051455
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104040558

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104045554
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104073177
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104076708
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104076750

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104032446
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104078825
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104064526
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104000714

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104078046
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104001888
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104069087
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104073139

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104003008
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104007216
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104077692
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104075273

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104078084
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104000769
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104077205
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104010933

    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104075231
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104028751
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104075233
    https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4104028753

    https://www.are.na/assistir-the-conjuring-4-extrema-uncao-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-the-conjuring-4-extrema-uncao-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-the-conjuring-4-extrema-uncao-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-invocacao-do-mal-4-o-ultimo-ritual-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-invocacao-do-mal-4-o-ultimo-ritual-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-invocacao-do-mal-4-o-ultimo-ritual-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-castelo-infinito-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-castelo-infinito-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-castelo-infinito-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-kimetsu-no-yaiba-castelo-infinito-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-kimetsu-no-yaiba-castelo-infinito-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-kimetsu-no-yaiba-castelo-infinito-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-demon-slayer-castelo-infinito-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-demon-slayer-castelo-infinito-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-demon-slayer-castelo-infinito-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-downton-abbey-grand-finale-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo-9-on5tfihd0/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-downton-abbey-grand-finale-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo-9-on5tfihd0/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-downton-abbey-grand-finale-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online-i36qc7xgsbg/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-downton-abbey-o-grande-final-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-downton-abbey-o-grande-final-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-downton-abbey-o-grande-final-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-the-long-walk-o-desafio-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-the-long-walk-o-desafio-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-the-long-walk-o-desafio-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-a-longa-marcha-caminhe-ou-morra-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-a-longa-marcha-caminhe-ou-morra-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-a-longa-marcha-caminhe-ou-morra-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-criadores-de-idolos-2025-hd-gratis-filme-completo/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-criadores-de-idolos-2025-filme-completo-dublado/channels
    https://www.are.na/assistir-criadores-de-idolos-filme-completo-dublado-legendado-online/channels

Leave a comment

BLOG