sustainability · 5496 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

5497 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • rjrywjrywj

    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Beetlejuice-Beetlejuice-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/l-ancienne-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Tatami-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/son-image-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Une-vie-r-v-e-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/The-Greatest-of-All-Time-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/La-Partition-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Mi-bestia-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/DAN-DA-DAN-First-Encounter-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Les-Naufrag-s-de-l-le-de-la-Tortue-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Du-c-t-d-Orou-t-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Adieu-Philippine-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Maine-Oc-an-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/We-Blew-It-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Le-Fil-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Le-proc-s-du-chien-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Langue-trang-re-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Silex-and-the-City-le-film-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Le-L-opard-des-neiges-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Johnny-s-en-va-t-en-guerre-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Alienoid-L-Affrontement-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/F-l-s-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/L-I-A-du-mal-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Le-Dernier-bus-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/M-m-dans-les-orties-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Blink-Twice-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Emilia-P-rez-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/The-Crow-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Golo-et-Ritchie-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Le-Roman-de-Jim-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Jamais-Plus-It-Ends-With-Us-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Alien-Romulus-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Mon-ami-le-petit-manchot-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Petit-Panda-en-Afrique-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Super-Papa-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Trap-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Borderlands-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Garfield-H-ros-malgr-lui-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Largo-Winch-Le-Prix-de-l-Argent-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier
    https://streamingvfentier.outgrow.us/Deadpool-Wolverine-2024-en-Streaming-VF-Entier

    https://namelessmc.com/forum/topic/9172-teukteuktuektuektuek/
    https://web3devcommunity.com/topic/5118/yrlylyyrilyirlryilyrilyi
    https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/fe140112bcf8a3dda93fed70a845f9014826508600479bdc184322cf6b70b005
    https://ultrafighteronline.com/topic/4445/teukteuktuekteuktuek
    https://forum.its-egner.de/topic/3535/teketktekteuktku
    https://toirscript.com/topic/3648/tektektekteukekt
    https://forum.realdigital.org/d/81290-etuktekteuktuk
    https://forum.instube.com/d/132045-wryjrwyjwryjwryj
    http://opensource.platon.org/forum/projects/viewtopic.php?p=12650374#12650374
    https://forum.theknightonline.com/threads/etkteketketketk.482892/
    https://forum.gamestategames.com/d/5596-etktekuetuketuk
    https://diendannhansu.com/threads/rywjryjrwyjrywjrwyj.544695/
    https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/122137-rywjrwrwyjrwyjrywj
    http://www.limesucks.com/thread/tektuktektkuteuk/
    https://www.ofurea.com/forum/thread/3282/tktekteuktektuek/
    https://www.snibc.co.uk/fusion/infusions/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=10484
    https://kitemunity.com/forums/topic/8619/wrjrwyjryjwryjrwyrwyj/view/post_id/93630
    https://www.yeuthucung.com/threads/rwjwryrwyjrwyjrwyj.502670/
    https://www.tadalive.com/forum/thread/54227/wrjrwyjrwyjrwyjrywjr/
    https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/132315-tekteukteukteuteuk
    https://doc.clickup.com/9018117031/p/h/8crb2x7-4598/628dcea9933ac41
    https://www.surveyking.com/survey/5415
    http://taylorhicks.ning.com/photo/albums/wryjrjrywj
    http://playit4ward-sanantonio.ning.com/photo/albums/rwyjrwyjrwyjryjwjryw

    https://sharetext.me/duejjqxqmr
    https://tiny-paste.com/138926/
    https://paste.myst.rs/fs1mfx2z
    https://ivpaste.com/v/ocC7iiRo42
    https://paste.thezomg.com/221218/58648841/
    https://paste.intergen.online/view/b0524d6e
    https://onlinegdb.com/Yr8HJXekb
    https://bitbin.it/fL50AegO/
    https://tempel.in/view/GSYiE
    https://paiza.io/projects/RF93KTHSsLPxQY9ev_-Vdw
    https://pastebin.freeswitch.org/view/7a35da0f
    https://pastebin.com/2a2qC9Rh
    https://paste.chapril.org/?429e5263805e78b4#CW2LQvYDB7wiwDtPbFvKPzZNALg7j36GZbL9kwZwns9i
    https://paste.ofcode.org/yUmznNfRMvVTrS4XFR6KH8
    https://paste.centos.org/view/842e5034
    https://snippet.host/cxkgkh
    https://jsfiddle.net/hdj9u7g0/
    https://paste.laravel.io/b92bbae2-63f3-4a81-adea-8b8a450cb058
    https://notes.io/w1rEx
    http://nopaste.ceske-hry.cz/411878
    http://ben-kiki.org/ypaste/data/113704/index.html
    https://jsbin.com/cuqajizitu
    https://www.posteezy.com/wrjrywjryjryjry
    https://rentry.co/a8oc2vif
    https://anotepad.com/notes/8xei4636

  • shshsdsdgsdgsdgsd

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pvyJOjo1yOw
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gVUt2l5X7QI
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/m2RibrkcFpY

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/uvffEVZROO4
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gAHxDqUBgGQ
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jKUiMgaRgEU

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mxoesPrwRdw
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pMZtCCPNUH4
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/peL1uHwXmNc

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/m5HTZlcmslk
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sXH4wcIqAxY
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mULa6c7mReM

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/vNyUimswIsM
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/oYV_52xgJc4
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/s17pWgeggoQ

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/m4XXVDGqCo4
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pHjSJFovHJc
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rU1Jbg7nh0U

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qq7yPLY9Ews
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/rymW3QMQqgI
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/kfUXq4bUj8A

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hEEwle8-kIo
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/irmqomKHmcg
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tYvGBipId1Q
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/kRLeMdjZpVw
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/nwCL7b1QyVw

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/t2ToPVhEQeM
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lAmzvVVnEQw
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jkwKHWU0Qno

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/oU2lEubLsPU
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mc8jVRwhQN8
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/nrTqiaH4ev4

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hWttxjyOZRQ
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mwUddx3Qu7M
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/k5NolD51zwk

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mxfxW5kdTpE
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/m3vDxvqwp28
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pzypMQucukE

  • dfefrsf

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hdbJh9hbhao
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/iLjGVE8sigA
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pK92H8lJbR0
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qSlaqQ_I9pk
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/p2PeZ6-Mc9M
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/oELSrjOTNkQ
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tX6CdbM3_Go
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/k0Xwj8GloYA
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/ho25Ay1P1XU
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/i6HRgcOncD0
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pKxCt6vFvfo
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/sledujte-gladiator-ii-cely-film-online-cz-dabing.3156271/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/sledujte-gladiator-ii-cely-film-online-cz-hd.3156286/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/gladiator-ii-cely-film-online-cz-dabing-i-titulky.3156292/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/sledujte-gladiator-ii-cely-film-online-cz-sk.3156464/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/gladiator-ii-cely-film-cz-dabing-i-titulky.3156470/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/gladiator-ii-cely-film-online-zdarma-cz-sk-dabing.3156477/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/sledujte-gladiator-ii-cely-film-cz-sk-a-zdarma.3156482/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/gladiator-ii-cely-film-cz-sk-a-zdarma.3156487/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/sledujte-gladiator-ii-cely-film-cz-sk-dabing.3156499/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/gladiator-ii-2024-cely-film-cz-sk-hd.3156506/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/gladiator-ii-cely-filmy-online-cz-dabing-i-titulky.3156510/
    https://tinhte.vn/profile/gladiator-ii-cely-film-cz-a-zdarma-dabing-hd.3156517/

  • dfefrsf

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pIuGnXqne1U
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hHYYijl_pKA
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gNOLl51LLdE
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pGoBJ-OMwyI
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jRDuwoPth6E
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gScB6wFKEJY
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/r5cxPXMOu0E
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qe0yNgy8m3U
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/knawp397hvU
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/t2b6uQ2KbTE
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/vDqyMI39v8g
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/riWzZTGN7A8
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lY7xcWV0EbM

  • dfefrsf

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pIuGnXqne1U
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hHYYijl_pKA
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gNOLl51LLdE
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pGoBJ-OMwyI
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jRDuwoPth6E
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gScB6wFKEJY
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/r5cxPXMOu0E
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qe0yNgy8m3U
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/knawp397hvU
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/t2b6uQ2KbTE
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/vDqyMI39v8g
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/riWzZTGN7A8
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lY7xcWV0EbM

  • dfefrsf

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pIuGnXqne1U
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hHYYijl_pKA
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gNOLl51LLdE
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pGoBJ-OMwyI
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jRDuwoPth6E
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gScB6wFKEJY
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/r5cxPXMOu0E
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qe0yNgy8m3U
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/knawp397hvU
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/t2b6uQ2KbTE
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/vDqyMI39v8g
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/riWzZTGN7A8
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lY7xcWV0EbM

Leave a comment

BLOG