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.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502323
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502367
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502386
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502428
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502468
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502490
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502510
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147416991/posts/32502537
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502618
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502657
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502692
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502747
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502773
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502799
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502825
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147211394/posts/32502853
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32500842
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32500880
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32500916
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32500951
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32501046
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32501082
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32501128
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32501147
https://www.strava.com/athletes/147417333/posts/32501176
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302359/posts/32501366
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500306
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500564
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500585
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500604
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32498097
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32499134
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500091
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500184
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500220
https://www.strava.com/clubs/1302244/posts/32500274
https://paste.gg/p/awwahsans/d3ec6423f2754c179db554b2f50240db
https://www.bitsdujour.com/profiles/X8WbSX
https://solo.to/myshowflikxz
https://hackmd.io/@megacinemaxhd/BJkntGkCA
https://jsitor.com/LbZcr0VLC5
https://wokwi.com/projects/409837229528934401
https://jsfiddle.net/cindyyuvia/02ne4xdz/
https://jsbin.com/weworey/edit?html,output
https://yamcode.com/uyiyuiyuiii
https://pastebin.com/rbvsSUk3
https://pastelink.net/9pgz3yyg
https://www.etextpad.com/gt8ajdkghr
https://paiza.io/projects/0mVwllj75vwg9iAFvYRxEQ
https://bitbin.it/QTYp355Q/
https://paste.intergen.online/view/eb363000
https://paste.ee/p/Ph9DO
https://rentry.co/mdnhufbo
https://onlinegdb.com/WG5V5dJzrK
https://dictanote.co/n/1072012/
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/f923ae59
https://rextester.com/ERKJF75171
https://authors-old.curseforge.com/paste/213c6a47
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/cd404f46
https://rift.curseforge.com/paste/ca886172
https://www.wowace.com/paste/b0a67c55
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/80dec69e
https://rom.curseforge.com/paste/46a739e3
https://www.flowcode.com/page/m3ganpelis4kultracalidad
https://www.flowcode.com/page/kinopelis2laballenaverstream
https://www.flowcode.com/page/streampelishdllamanalapuerta
https://www.flowcode.com/page/elgatoconbotas2023hdtorrent
https://www.flowcode.com/page/streamunabodaexplosivapelis321
https://www.flowcode.com/page/gratishdtheofferingterror2023
https://www.flowcode.com/page/asterixyobelix2023cinemax
https://www.flowcode.com/page/youpeoplestreamlapelis
https://www.flowcode.com/page/loboferoz4kuhdcinepremiere
https://www.flowcode.com/page/hd4klapeliculamegan
https://streamcloudjetztfilmkinomegandeutschhzk.statuspage.io/
https://streamfullhdm3ganfilmonline.statuspage.io/
https://magicmikethelastdancejetztonlinedeutsch2023.statuspage.io/
https://mauricederkaterfilminkino2023.statuspage.io/
https://kinox4k123filmantman2023jetztkostenlos.statuspage.io/
https://kinoxjetztfilmplanestreamhd.statuspage.io/
https://knockatthecabinfilm2023enkinodeutsch.statuspage.io/
https://hdrepelisverllamanalapuerta.statuspage.io/
https://pelisplusverm3gan2023hdstream.statuspage.io/
https://pelis4khdterrifier2onlinelinea.statuspage.io/
https://marvelverhdantmannuevocine2023.statuspage.io/
https://antman2023repelis4kgratis.statuspage.io/
https://laballenaveronlinelineamejores4k.statuspage.io/
https://verelpilotogratis.statuspage.io/
https://vermega4klosfabelmanpeliculahdonline.statuspage.io/
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442659
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442665
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442667
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442678
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442680
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442689
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-m3gan-megan-2022-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-hd-gratis
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-at-peliculas-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-2023hd-online-en-espanol
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-llaman-a-la-puerta-pelicula-online-2023espanol-latino-en-hd
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/mira-peliculas-2022-el-gato-con-botas-el-ultimo-deseo-en-hd-espanol-y-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/cuevana3ver-la-ballena-the-whale-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-y-latino-castellano
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-hd-el-piloto-pelis-2023online-en-espanol-y-latino-4k-gratis
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/asterix-y-obelix-el-reino-medio-pelicula-online-audio-latino-subtitullado-2023
https://www.flowcode.com/page/regardervffilmasterixetobelix
https://www.flowcode.com/page/cineplushdvoirmeganvffilm
https://www.flowcode.com/page/vfvostfrknockatthecabinfilm
https://www.flowcode.com/page/antmanfilmfrancais2023vfhd
https://www.flowcode.com/page/m3ganpelis4kultracalidad
https://www.flowcode.com/page/kinopelis2laballenaverstream
https://www.flowcode.com/page/streampelishdllamanalapuerta
https://www.flowcode.com/page/elgatoconbotas2023hdtorrent
https://www.flowcode.com/page/streamunabodaexplosivapelis321
https://www.flowcode.com/page/gratishdtheofferingterror2023
https://www.flowcode.com/page/asterixyobelix2023cinemax
https://www.flowcode.com/page/youpeoplestreamlapelis
https://www.flowcode.com/page/loboferoz4kuhdcinepremiere
https://www.flowcode.com/page/hd4klapeliculamegan
https://streamcloudjetztfilmkinomegandeutschhzk.statuspage.io/
https://streamfullhdm3ganfilmonline.statuspage.io/
https://magicmikethelastdancejetztonlinedeutsch2023.statuspage.io/
https://mauricederkaterfilminkino2023.statuspage.io/
https://kinox4k123filmantman2023jetztkostenlos.statuspage.io/
https://kinoxjetztfilmplanestreamhd.statuspage.io/
https://knockatthecabinfilm2023enkinodeutsch.statuspage.io/
https://hdrepelisverllamanalapuerta.statuspage.io/
https://pelisplusverm3gan2023hdstream.statuspage.io/
https://pelis4khdterrifier2onlinelinea.statuspage.io/
https://marvelverhdantmannuevocine2023.statuspage.io/
https://antman2023repelis4kgratis.statuspage.io/
https://laballenaveronlinelineamejores4k.statuspage.io/
https://verelpilotogratis.statuspage.io/
https://vermega4klosfabelmanpeliculahdonline.statuspage.io/
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442659
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442665
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442667
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442678
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442680
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2442689
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-m3gan-megan-2022-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-hd-gratis
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-at-peliculas-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-2023hd-online-en-espanol
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-llaman-a-la-puerta-pelicula-online-2023espanol-latino-en-hd
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/mira-peliculas-2022-el-gato-con-botas-el-ultimo-deseo-en-hd-espanol-y-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/cuevana3ver-la-ballena-the-whale-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-y-latino-castellano
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/ver-hd-el-piloto-pelis-2023online-en-espanol-y-latino-4k-gratis
https://www.podcasts.com/hd4kpelisflix-online/episode/asterix-y-obelix-el-reino-medio-pelicula-online-audio-latino-subtitullado-2023
https://www.flowcode.com/page/regardervffilmasterixetobelix
https://www.flowcode.com/page/cineplushdvoirmeganvffilm
https://www.flowcode.com/page/vfvostfrknockatthecabinfilm
https://www.flowcode.com/page/antmanfilmfrancais2023vfhd
https://el-gato-con-botas-el-ultimo-deseo-hd-online-ecc.statuspage.io/
https://el-gato-con-botas-cuevana-peliculahd.statuspage.io/
https://vercuevana3m3gan2023.statuspage.io/
https://peliculacompletam3gan2023.statuspage.io/
https://cuevana3-ver-winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-2023-ecc.statuspage.io/
https://cuevana3-ver-winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-2023-tyu.statuspage.io/
https://el-menu-gratis.statuspage.io/
https://pantherwakandaforevergratis.statuspage.io/
https://laballenathewhalegratis.statuspage.io/
https://verterrifiergratis.statuspage.io/
https://cuevanaverjhonwick42023.statuspage.io/
https://supermariobroslapeliculagratis.statuspage.io/
https://elpilotogratis.statuspage.io/
https://llamanalapuertagratis.statuspage.io/
https://www.flowcode.com/page/pelisonlineelgatoconbotas2022
https://www.flowcode.com/page/pelism3gan2023hdmega
https://www.flowcode.com/page/laballenathewhalehdpelismega
https://www.flowcode.com/page/elmenuthemenugratis
https://www.flowcode.com/page/verhdblackpanther2pelismega
https://www.flowcode.com/page/winnie-the-pooh-2023
https://www.flowcode.com/page/elgatoconbotaselultimohdonline
https://www.flowcode.com/page/elgatoconbotaspeliculaonline
https://www.flowcode.com/page/m3ganpeliculaonline
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/cuevana-3-ver-el-piloto-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-latino-hd
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/cuevana3-ver-super-mario-bros-la-pelicula-en-hd-completa-espanol-y-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/cuevana3-ver-john-wick-4-2023-hd-en-pelicula-espanol-y-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/ver-cuevana3-terrifier-2-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-y-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/repelis24-ver-black-panther-wakanda-forever-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/cuevana3-ver-el-menu-pelicula-completa-online-latino-hd
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/pelisplus-ver-winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/miraver-la-ballena-the-whale-2023-pelicula-completa-hd-en-espanol-y-latino-espanol-gratis
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/cuevana-ver-m3gan-2023-online-gratis-en-espanol-y-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/ver-hdel-gato-con-botas-el-ultimo-deseo-2022-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-latino
https://www.podcasts.com/repelis24-online-en-espanol-y-latino/episode/ver-online-avatar-el-sentido-del-agua-2022-hd-en-espanol-y-gratis-latino
https://unsplash.com/repelisvermeganpeliculaonline/likes https://unsplash.com/cuevana3verm3gan2023peliculahd
https://unsplash.com/cuevana3verelgatoconbotaselultimodeseo2022/likes https://unsplash.com/cuevana3verelpeorvecinodelmundo/likes
https://unsplash.com/cuevana3verelgatoconbotas2022enhd/likes https://unsplash.com/laballenathewhalepeliculaverenhd
https://unsplash.com/@pelisplusverelmenupeliculahd
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2441940
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2441945
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2441957
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2441962
https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2441970
https://megaver1080penespanolenhd.gitbook.io/ver-el-gato-con-botas-el-ultimo-deseo-2022-pe/
https://megaver1080penespanolenhd.gitbook.io/pelisplus-ver-el-gato-con-botas-el-ultim/
https://megaver1080penespanolenhd.gitbook.io/repelis-ver-m3gan-2023-online-en-espanol-y-lat/
https://megaver1080penespanolenhd.gitbook.io/ver-pelisplus-m3gan-2023-or-pelicula-complet/
https://megaver1080penespanolenhd.gitbook.io/uhd-ver-winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-2023/
https://megaver1080penespanolenhd.gitbook.io/repelis-ver-winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-202/
https://www.flowcode.com/page/vfregarderyoupeople2023hd
https://www.flowcode.com/page/m3ganstreamingvfgratuit
https://www.flowcode.com/page/hdvfvoirshotgunweddingonline
https://www.flowcode.com/page/voirmp4asterixetobelixfilm2023
https://www.flowcode.com/page/knockatthecabinfrenchvf1080p
https://www.flowcode.com/page/streamonlinetarfilmvostfr4k
https://m3ganpelis2023hdstreaming.statuspage.io/
https://vermejorpeliculasunabodaexplosiva4kuhd.statuspage.io/
https://laballenagratispelisplus.statuspage.io/
https://johnwick4mejornuevolapeliculas2023.statuspage.io/
https://llamanalapuertacinepremiereespanol2023hd.statuspage.io/
https://mirahdterrifier2vivoonline.statuspage.io/
https://hdcineymaxasterixyobelix2023.statuspage.io/
https://boosty.to/dvdrippelis321/posts/22ef8ab5-8a33-4e58-9d30-8466085b249c
https://boosty.to/dvdrippelis321/posts/b7e0a9bb-df66-4846-a9ce-23e62bf5e55a
https://boosty.to/dvdrippelis321/posts/27a13d25-b14b-4626-923c-aaa6107fe5af
https://boosty.to/dvdrippelis321/posts/0e53f1b1-cc43-473b-94d3-e75b9e89992a
https://boosty.to/dvdrippelis321/posts/b0b87c28-c0df-48df-b355-7451ac04caa1
https://boosty.to/dvdrippelis321/posts/23a2d41c-dcbc-4645-83fc-cf51efbe8260
https://hdplayfilmstream.gitbook.io/regarder-shotgun-wedding-gratuit-hd-vf-fran/
https://hdplayfilmstream.gitbook.io/4k-voir-m3gan-en-streaming-vf-filmcomplet/
https://hdplayfilmstream.gitbook.io/voir-vostfr-asterix-et-obelix-lempire-du-milie/
https://hdplayfilmstream.gitbook.io/online-voir.-knock-at-the-cabin-2023-film-vf/
https://hdplayfilmstream.gitbook.io/film-complet-voir-you-people-2023-et-vostfr/
Leave a comment