sustainability · 4610 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

4611 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • dgrtjhg

    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-ver-monster-summer-2
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-ver-megalopolis-2024
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-ver-deadpool-3-wolve
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplusversubservience2024on
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplusvertransformersone202
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-verbeetlejuice22024
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplusverbeetlejuicebeetlej
    https://www.wilkinswalk.com/blogs/blogger/nike-air-vapormax?comment=133488050340#comments
    http://www.limesucks.com/thread/wdw/
    https://postheaven.net/o58c8qozjm
    https://forum.woimortal.com
    https://dangtinvantai.com/threads/ddff55.49847/
    https://www.cantiqla.com/blogs/news/cantiq-anniversary-party?comment=132950163565#comments
    https://smartsnack.cl/blogs/news/beneficios-de-dejar-el-azucar-y-tips-para-lograrlo?comment=137150365874#comments
    https://www.allthebabies.co/blogs/news/mom-to-mom-with-valerie?comment=134153666800#comments
    https://chobaolam.vn/threads/hrthtrhrj.553713/
    http://forum.dnpsolpol.ru/threads/gregergr.7017/
    https://socialmphl.com/story19696709/stream-free-movies-tv-shows
    https://prbookmarkingwebsites.com/story20192489/stream-free-movies-tv-shows
    https://smmwebforum.com/threads/hthththtr.21568/
    https://haftahavit.com/blogs/news/so-simple-gifts-for-everyone?comment=134958645546#comments
    https://www.baristaswag.com/blogs/news/free-pour-latte-art-coffee-art?comment=138142875750#comments
    https://tagzfoods.com/blogs/news/tagz-why?comment=134153634032#comments
    http://www.ks-welldental.com/well/bbs/board.php?bo_table=daily&wr_id=5&&page=1&#c_149
    https://www.homerev.com/blogs/home-revolution/how-often-should-i-wash-my-reusable-coffee-mug?comment=135482540285#comments
    https://vietnamtrade-forum.com/threads/gthyhyj.19014/
    https://forum.sweepsflow.com/category/39/promotions/forum/community/discussions/71309-grgtght
    https://pelisplushd.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-transformers-one-2024-pelicula-online-en-espanol
    https://pelisplushd.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-beetlejuice-2-2024-pel-cula-online-en-espa-ol-y-subtitulad
    https://cuevanahd.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-deadpool-3-wolverine-2024-online-en-espa-ol
    https://cuevanahd.outgrow.us/cuevana-3-ver-transformers-one-2024-pelicula-online-en-espa-ol
    https://githubespana.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-joker-folie-deux-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol
    https://veraqui.outgrow.us/ver-transformers-one-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-repelis-hd
    https://veraqui.outgrow.us/ver-beetlejuice-2-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-repelis-hd
    https://meganfox.outgrow.us/ver-subservience-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-repelis-hd
    https://pastelink.net/9cz3avak
    https://www.pastery.net/yrzhvz/
    https://snippet.host/cyyeyu
    https://pastebin.com/
    https://tech.io/snippet/jR1KvOV
    https://glot.io/snippets/h0at1fynaw
    https://paste.toolforge.org/view/494051ca
    https://telegra.ph/scscvs-09-26
    https://paiza.io/projects/CfBrGJSwEXeCxgFR2tdirg
    https://rentry.co/hx66fwxg
    https://etextpad.com/gmrvocreyp
    https://www.taptap.io/post/8231157
    https://yamcode.com/untitled-104119
    https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/bcc3fbd1
    https://paste.myst.rs/itist9kx
    https://paste.thezomg.com/
    https://www.onlinegdb.com/
    https://network.propertyweek.com/
    https://community.thoracic.org/
    https://sloan.ucr.edu/
    https://justpaste.it/gaukt
    https://ctxt.io/2/AAC49klOFg
    https://asmao.hashnode.dev/r32r32rf3r
    https://ourclass.mn.co/posts/dwed
    http://clan-banderos.de/web/index.php?site=profile&id=1&action=guestbook
    https://jsfiddle.net/fuhpsL0k/
    http://www.codyjhughes.com/guestbook/
    https://rextester.com/YZFXI92875
    https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/155001-htht
    https://forum.instube.com/d/145319-htht
    https://matters.town/a/68mxg8pqcb8c
    https://bitbin.it/6G6qGBq6/
    https://www.wowace.com/paste/e72ea6d0
    https://bitbucket.org/santuy213/workspace/snippets/MzB7g4
    https://nodebb.klangknecht.com/category/1/announcements
    https://www.forexagone.com/forum/create
    https://www.selbstbesaiter.com/g%C3%A4stebuch/
    https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/
    https://jpn.itlibra.com/article?id=23247
    https://www.lifesshortlivefree.com/community/off-topic/4gerger/
    https://www.dotandlil.com/blogs/blog/77012548-now-in-stock-vintage-honey-tins-maintenant-disponibles-pots-de-miel-vintage?comment=134332186903#comments
    https://ca.gleener.com/blogs/news/how-to-keep-your-workspace-working-for-you?comment=132613799994#comments
    https://bryantsmeat.com/blogs/recipes/sausage-gumbo?comment=127843270841#comments
    https://www.radiowarta.pl/artykul/16063,jak-nie-dac-sie-infekcji
    https://ultrafighteronline.com/topic/8268/frfrfrg
    https://medicine.ju.edu.jo/Lists/ConfReg/AllItems.aspx?
    https://www.lacartuccia.ch/g%C3%A4stebuch/
    https://web3devcommunity.com/topic/15010/scs
    https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/11071/sccs
    https://www.bankier.pl/forum/wiadomosc-zapisana?post_id=68346977&obs=&emal=&st=1&thread_id=
    https://issuu.com/amirah123/stacks
    http://paste.jp/712589ad/
    https://bitbin.it/6G6qGBq6/raw/
    https://hackmd.io/1snlF_CtSmuqr9OxpdLJXg
    https://www.lomarfarms.com/blogs/news/people?comment=136548745521#comments
    https://wokwi.com/projects/410105200488938497

  • katyshka2015

    https://www.facebook.com/reel/3800773763504349
    https://www.facebook.com/reel/1523940778227942
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563373301909
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563248871188
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563265594628
    https://www.facebook.com/net.586589/
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563329890508
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563332354935
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564165645483
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564287801102

  • ryahinadasha

    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185743794069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185744124069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185745450069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185745696069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185746170069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185746386069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185746674069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185747052069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185748342069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185748522069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185749230069648
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122185749416069648

  • ceasarady

    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108747978442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108748170442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108748710442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108749058442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108750354442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108750804442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108751206442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108751542442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108752034442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108752340442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108752754442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108753108442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108753492442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108753744442186
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186842778063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186844350063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186844626063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186844956063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186845220063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186845496063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186845916063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186846264063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186846762063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186846960063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186847860063724

  • google indexs

    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186848076063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186848346063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186848652063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186850452063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186851952063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186852720063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122186852996063724
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100737612461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100741800461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100775010461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100780188461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100816662461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100818372461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100818900461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100822152461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100823136461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100825710461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100828212461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100830762461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100831662461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100832820461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100833786461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100835514461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122100837206461603
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108503046438742

  • indexs ai tool

    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108504324438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108513594438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108514692438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108515370438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108515802438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108516198438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108516984438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108517242438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108518100438742
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122108518430438742

Leave a comment

BLOG