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://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/8b4aae2b-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/3178ab31-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/eb61cc3f-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/b931ce45-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/effa3552-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/8efedcf5-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/bb2bb041-b178-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/5f868362-b178-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/3930a865-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/fb88086e-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/0eca2a7b-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/09dd1382-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/e0800f8f-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/d32028ca-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/628ac7e0-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/47261deb-b078-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/a2c5fa15-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/42798024-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/83982831-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/77e41f5f-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/6282616b-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/b3e1e674-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/5cb262a3-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/324d3ad7-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/1a83b9f0-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/733a22ff-b578-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/218b396d-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/793c4285-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/b4ecc49b-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/dae5f8a8-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/44287bc6-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/46ca32cf-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/df90f6d7-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/c9a148e2-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/5ae56cee-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/e8ec43fc-b678-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/56c6b909-b778-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/9c2ee711-b778-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/1980901a-b778-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://eawtechportal.microsoftcrmportals.com/forums/general-discussion/64f94326-b778-ef11-a4e6-000d3a34040c
https://community.goldencorral.com/members/status/show?id=28920604%3AStatus%3A11984340
https://network.propertyweek.com/members/status/show?id=28920584%3AStatus%3A352901
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/members/status/show?id=28920644%3AStatus%3A2877292
https://wokwi.com/projects/409729268556103681
https://smartsnack.cl/en/blogs/news/beneficios-de-dejar-el-azucar-y-tips-para-lograrlo?comment=137135292594#comments
https://convertopm.hashnode.dev/rest-of-the-world-will-go-to-the-hell
https://pastelink.net/1w5r2mxc
https://snippet.host/fzgcwe
https://rentry.co/dgi93zhr
https://www.lomarfarms.com/blogs/news/people?comment=136527282481#comments
https://paste.myst.rs/4rscj1qu
https://paste.ee/p/PlvOq
https://glot.io/snippets/h068p9txjr
https://hackmd.io/@happinessinlife/Bka0RYa6R
https://www.pastery.net/wnxdss/
https://paiza.io/projects/22el5yx_hSfaoes1Ex5hhg?language=php
https://telegra.ph/rest-of-the-world-will-go-to-the-hell-09-22
https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/convertopm/diary/202409220000/
https://paste.enginehub.org/ry5cLSi_l
https://paste.laravel.io/d76d437d-a973-4acf-b59b-74c4b9c8f9d3
https://ivpaste.com/v/9BU0eNEiOs
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/123ee477
https://paste.rs/G73D6.txt
https://paste.vpsfree.cz/ob2MMDnW
https://tiny-paste.com/139446/
https://sebsauvage.net/paste/?30f11f211bbf5794#q9I59+p+Cc6tQq7tGXmYXQxY/a+TnyQOpHWi+bmX3V0=
https://paste2.org/smf1dL6c
https://muckrack.com/mushkil-hojani/bio
http://aldenfamilydentistry.com/UserProfile/tabid/57/userId/909754/Default.aspx
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/145448-rest-of-the-world-will-go-to-the-hell
https://homeraisedparrots.com/ – ╬EXTENDING OUR COLORFUL FEATHERS OF FRIENDSHIP╬
Looking for a feathered companion? At HomeRaisedParrots.com,
we hand-raise well-tamed, healthy parrots, perfect for any home.
Explore our vibrant Macaws, affectionate African Greys, a
nd social Indian Ringnecks.
https://homeraisedparrots.com/discover-quaker-parrots-the-perfect-blend-of-charm-and-affection/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/indian-ringneck-parrots-vibrant-intelligent-companions/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/breeding-pair-sun-conures/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/cockatiel-parrots-friendly-engaging-and-beautiful-pets/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/cockatoo-parrots/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/amazon-parrots/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/product/adopt-baby-blue-fronted-amazon-parrots-today/
Our parrots develop loving personalities, making them
ideal companions. Whether you’re interested in the charming
Quaker Parrots or the majestic Cockatoos, we’ve got the perfect bird for you.
https://homeraisedparrots.com/breeding-pair-sun-conures/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/product/scarlet-macaw-parrots-for-rehoming/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/product/reserve-your-baby-eclectus-parrots-today/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/product/fully-weaned-indian-ringneck/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/cockatiel-parrots-friendly-engaging-and-beautiful-pets/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/cockatoo-parrots/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/amazon-parrots/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/eclectus-parrots/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/product/african-grey-parrots/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/product/indian-ringneck/
https://homeraisedparrots.com/product/full-trained-scarlet-macaw-
female-with-large-cage-and-accesories/
Ready to welcome a new friend? Visit www.homeraisedparrots.com and
explore our range of well-raised parrots. Have questions? Reach out
through our contact page—we’re here to help!At https://www.homeraisedparrots.com ,
we hand-raise well-tamed, healthy parrots, making perfect companions.
Our macaws, African greys, Indian ringnecks,
As Championchowchowpuppies.com, we offer the highest standard of purebred, pedigree,
and champion-quality Chow Chow puppies. Our puppies are meticulously bred to meet
the strictest standards of health, temperament, and conformation. With full papers
and import/export quality, our Chow Chows are perfect for families, show enthusiasts,
and breeders worldwide club only @ https://Championchowchowpuppies.com/ Champion
Companions For Champion Families
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/about/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/product/teddy-bear-faced-chow-chow-puppies-for-sale/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/our-chow-chow/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/chow-chow-puppies-with-papers/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/pedigree-chow-chow-puppies/
Distinctive Blue-Black Tongue: A rare trait among dog breeds,
purebred Chow Chows have a distinctive blue-black tongue, adding to their uniqueness.
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/chow-chow-puppies-for-sale-in-montana/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/where-to-buy-a-chow-chow-puppy/
Naturally Clean: Chow Chows are known for their cleanliness, often
likened to cats in their grooming habits.
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/reserve-a-chow-chow-puppy-today/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/chow-chow-puppies-ready-for-forever-homes/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/elite-chow-chow-puppies-for-sale-in-south-dakota/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/rare-chow-chow-puppies-for-sale/
https://Championchowchowpuppies.com/ – Champion Companions For Champion Families.
Loyal to a Fault: Once bonded, a Chow Chow is fiercely loyal to its family, offering
unmatched companionship and affection.
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/kc-registered-chow-chow-puppies-ready-now/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/smooth-coated-chow-chows/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/pearl-white-chow-chow-puppies/
https://championchowchowpuppies.com/rough-coated-chow-chows/
Perfect for Quiet Homes: Chow Chows are naturally reserved
and calm, making them ideal companions for quiet, low-activity households.
https://buyusroyalkittens.com/our-parents/
www.buyUSroyalkittens.com, we breed purebred Ragdolls, Siamese,
https://buyusroyalkittens.com/product/pedigree-russian-blue-kittens/
https://buyusroyalkittens.com/about/
and Seal Point kittens. Raised with exceptional care,
https://buyusroyalkittens.com/care-tips-for-purebred-hypoallergenic-royal-kittens/
our kittens are healthy
and well-socialized. Bring home a purebred, affectionate kitten today. Come to
https://buyusroyalkittens.com
https://buyusroyalkittens.com/unique-features-of-bengal-kittens/
https://buyusroyalkittens.com/product/adorable-sphynx-babies/
GlobalCargoArks.com provides top-quality new and used shipping
containers for all your needs.
Our team offers personalized service to help you find the perfect container.
Enjoy competitive pricing and transparent transactions at GlobalCargoArks.com.
We ensure durable, high-standard containers with a focus on sustainability.
Choose https://globalcargoarks.com for excellent service and reliable containers.
Leave a comment