sustainability · 4942 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

4943 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • dfgbnrgr

    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622571811635201/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622576922329089/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622577543053312/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622578908332033/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622579424198656/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622579958972417/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622582171500544/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622584050515968/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622584409194496/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622585212436480/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622585667452929/
    https://www.honor.com/sa-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3622585994674177/
    https://www.bihann.com/cast/443.html
    https://pastelink.net/aynsoi6c
    https://www.accessoryconcierge.com/blogs/news/16069924-give-back?comment=138905223475#comments
    https://paste.myst.rs/lvwo2221
    https://www.adiocare.co.za/blog/journal-blog
    https://www.hueplane.com/article/%EC%83%81%ED%92%88-qa/6/2383/
    https://wodfever.com/blogs/new-posts/how-to-measure-for-knee-sleeves-for-crossfit-and-weightlifting-sizing-guide?comment=133456298212#comments
    http://www.limesucks.com/thread/ththt/
    https://medium.com/@suksesb069/6-3c267680c18d
    https://hello-maypole.myshopify.com/blogs/news/a-wish-list-for-me-a-gift-guide-for-you?comment=134518112570#comments
    https://myalmacoffee.com/blogs/news/what-is-specialty-coffee?comment=131108471038#comments
    https://zalan.ru/catalog/kabelenesushchie_sistemy/193030/
    https://bayraktarambalaj.com.tr/index.php?route=journal3/blog/post&journal_blog_post_id=7
    https://www.oc3-j4.el-parduotuve.lt/blog/best-leather-bags
    https://www.coveredgoods.com/blogs/news/real-moms-share-the-sweetest-things-their-kids-have-ever-said?comment=136066367771#comments
    http://www.theartist.co.kr/tv/view.html?idxno=1
    https://snippet.host/iekfnn
    https://kibblewatches.co.uk/blogs/news/seiko-5-sports-black-srpd79k1-seiko-5kx-unboxing-first-impressions?comment=138725327228#comments
    http://mminfo.mn/news/view/42161
    https://freepaste.link/public/8lohfxpbzc
    https://wodfever.com/blogs/new-posts/fuel-your-fitness-what-do-top-crossfit-athletes-eat?comment=133456232676#comments
    https://top100lingua.ru/elc-time-centr-izuchenija-inostrannyh-jazykov/kursy-nemeckogo-jazyka#comment-5669f8b7-a62b-5fd9-a4e3-3eddf6da8911
    https://www.caseologycases.com/blogs/news/16516168-first-post?comment=128455475274#comments
    https://www.dirtywknd.com/blogs/news/new-years-revolution-challenge-build-up-to-riding-100km-in-january-2023?comment=134160416835#comments
    https://yatesprecision.com/blogs/blog/traveling-with-safety-razor?comment=129510736026#comments
    https://directwinecellars.com.au/blogs/in-the-bottle/what-is-the-difference-between-chianti-and-chianti-classico?comment=134532301097#comments
    https://physiclo.com/blogs/news/tuesday-reviews-day-roundup-feb-2018?comment=135615578189#comments
    https://newsnviews.larsentoubro.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=831
    https://www.tyasuite.com/blog/post/procurement-software-for-small-business
    https://thespacestore.com/blogs/blog/cool-nasa-logos?comment=131169026265#comments
    https://portal.tlas.org.al/sq/comment/reply/102/389823
    https://sewkindofwonderful.com/blogs/news/breakfast-club-free-pattern?comment=137176088819#comments
    https://www.inviolabs.com/blogs/news/new-ipad-pro2018-usb-c-fast-charging-test?comment=129784545431#comments
    https://www.plantnmore.com/ar/blogs/news/square-foot-gardening?comment=177218879722#comments
    https://www.fabrika-svitla.com.ua/ru/catalog/6-pidvisy/2304-nsb-96-3h60-135-96-3-51.html
    https://cafeliegeois.ca/fr/blogs/actualite-nouvelles-cafe-liegeois/85579523-les-cafes-du-monde-with-henri-paul-normandin-cimtl?comment=134866600025#comments
    https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/-/snippets/29071
    https://ecigmex.com/blogs/news/como-expulsar-vapor-denso?comment=133300977895#comments
    https://ca.webinar.siemens.com/compas-canada-general-info-session
    https://bpo.gov.mn/content/721
    https://www.fenda.co.kr/asset/bbs/board.php?bo_table=review&wr_id=9756&&page=71&#c_16806
    https://planner5d.com/gallery/ideas/7FDTK/photos-house-terrace-decor-outdoor-architecture-ideas
    https://www.sjchs.org/cancer/therapies/research-clinical-trials/cancer-registry/clinical-trails
    https://fr.micromentor.org/question/18936#add-answer
    https://www.gallantoro.com/de-de/blogs/gallantoro/why-keanu-reeves-is-the-most-loved-man-in-hollywood?srsltid=AfmBOor7Mu7wH9jhOMV57pBkWCb80LZqYPr6EaAc_2_RbUNr0KHAt-FO
    https://diybook.at/garten/gartenarbeiten/befestigte-flaechen/garageneinfahrt-pflastern-anleitung-betonpflaster-verlegen#comment-15991
    https://www.vidpaw.com/blog/download-youtube-happy-birthday-song.html
    https://skinphysics.com.au/blogs/skin-secrets/fight-pigmentation-sun-damage-this-summer?comment=141886881855#comments
    https://www.turystyka.torun.pl/index.php
    https://www.homerev.com/blogs/home-revolution/natural-cleaning-solutions?comment=135484342525#comments
    https://rextester.com/BHZ9959
    http://paste.jp/d5f75f6c/
    https://rentry.co/xp2vpwvi
    https://pastecode.io/s/5xd8icpy
    https://justpaste.it/fdotw
    https://bitbin.it/rvxjUUO0/
    https://bitbin.it/rvxjUUO0/raw/
    https://www.taptap.io/post/8232184
    https://paste.thezomg.com/
    https://pastebin.com/cHNgfFfi
    https://forum.instube.com/d/145439-jyjtjtjy
    https://matters.town/a/sz51tcqw27iq
    https://www.nehannn.com/artist-detail/715.html?sasla
    https://jsfiddle.net/gox79mLk/1/
    https://www.wowace.com/paste/e5dcc939
    https://jsitor.com/n-r1wyMME5
    https://jpn.itlibra.com/article?id=23247
    https://www.madelokal.com/blogs/news/plus-size-american-made?comment=141886816319#comments
    https://www.tadalive.com/forum/thread/52149/bojo-loro/
    https://freepaste.link/public/ckzyewdxnf
    https://www.peugeotcentral.co.uk/forum-posting.html
    https://issuu.com/amirah123/stacks
    http://www.codyjhughes.com/guestbook/
    https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/aaa2cc6b
    https://www.pastery.net/wjvzmg/
    https://etextpad.com/w6hokounid
    https://bitbucket.org/santuy213/workspace/snippets/4qGxKX
    https://penzu.com/journals/31329148/101863835’
    https://homment.com/4QYB4O6SVy2NwYAIW6oG
    https://paste.ee/p/06Hwo
    https://ctxt.io/2/AAC4rmIWFQ
    https://asmao.hashnode.dev/grghregre
    https://paiza.io/projects/Y2fDHWGd21DjdV8h0Fao7A
    https://yamcode.com/untitled-104139
    https://rentry.co/kcv6v7nc
    https://www.onlinegdb.com/
    https://tech.io/snippet/yqqfnoT
    https://www.radiowarta.pl/artykul/16063,jak-nie-dac-sie-infekcji
    https://medicine.ju.edu.jo/Lists/ConfReg/AllItems.aspx?
    https://telegra.ph/egeg-09-26
    https://www.lomarfarms.com/blogs/news/people?comment=136549466417#comments
    https://hackmd.io/kzdBAL_ZTrGDwHnkDWUpsg
    https://www.bankier.pl/forum/wiadomosc-zapisana?post_id=68350623&obs=&emal=&st=1&thread_id=
    https://wokwi.com/projects/376455861429986305

  • tahu bulatweftaer

    https://t.co/RlY8aYv5z4
    https://forum.webnovel.com/d/100765-films-voir-mystere-a-venise-2023-fr-streaming-francais-gratuit-et-vf
    https://wandb.ai/chatez/movieshd/reports/VoIR-La-Nonne-II-2023-streaming-VF-en-Fran-ais-VOIR-La-Nonne-II—Vmlldzo1NDc3ODc2
    https://wandb.ai/chatez/movieshd/reports/VoIR-Equalizer-3-2023-streaming-VF-en-Fran-ais-VOIR-Equalizer-3—Vmlldzo1NDc3OTg1
    https://wandb.ai/chatez/movieshd/reports/VoIR-Myst-re-Venise-2023-streaming-VF-en-Fran-ais-VOIR-Myst-re-Venise—Vmlldzo1NDc4MDg1
    https://wandb.ai/chatez/movieshd/reports/VoIR-Toni-en-famille-2023-streaming-VF-en-Fran-ais-VOIR-Toni-en-famille—Vmlldzo1NDc4MTEy
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080045
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080047
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080049
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080055
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080058
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080060
    https://wandb.ai/aldrichh/mojo/reports/WATCH-1080P-Route-60-The-Biblical-Highway-2023-FULLMOVIE-ONLINE-ENGLISH-SUB-STREAMING—Vmlldzo1NDc4MzY5
    https://wandb.ai/aldrichh/mojo/reports/-WATCH-Route-60-The-Biblical-Highway-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-123Movies—Vmlldzo1NDc4NDI4
    https://wandb.ai/aldrichh/mojo/reports/-WATCH-Route-60-The-Biblical-Highway-2023-1080P-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-123Movies—Vmlldzo1NDc4NDQy
    https://wandb.ai/aldrichh/mojo/reports/WATCH-UHD-Route-60-The-Biblical-Highway-2023-FULLMOVIE-ONLINE-ENGLISH-SUB-STREAMING—Vmlldzo1NDc4NDU1
    https://wandb.ai/aldrichh/mojo/reports/WATCH-Route-60-The-Biblical-Highway-2023-FULLMOVIE-ONLINE-ENGLISH-SUB-STREAMING-UHD—Vmlldzo1NDc4NDY0
    https://wandb.ai/aldrichh/mojo/reports/WATCH-4K-Route-60-The-Biblical-Highway-2023-FULLMOVIE-ONLINE-ENGLISH-SUB-STREAMING—Vmlldzo1NDc4NDc1

  • tahu bulatweftaer

    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080010
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080013
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080014
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080023
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080029
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1080031

    https://eventregist.com/p/ch-hk-hd-expendables4-2023

  • tahu bulatweftaer

    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079558
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079559
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079572
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079574
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079577
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079579
    https://my.mamul.am/am/post/1079580
    https://my.mamul.am/am/post/1079581
    https://my.mamul.am/am/post/1079582
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079697
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079698
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079699
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079718
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079717
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079716
    https://pub.dartmouth.edu/watch-route-60-the-biblical-highway-2023-fullmovie-online-englishdub-free-on-streamings-at-hom/index
    https://pub.dartmouth.edu/watch-route-60-the-biblical-highway-2023-fullmovie-online-englishdub-free-on-streamings-at-hom

  • tahu bulatweftaer

    ttps://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079506
    https://my.mamul.am/en/post/1079508
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.161798576971813&type=3
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.161800873638250&type=3
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.161805283637809&type=3

  • lexandria

    https://www.taskade.com/p/pelis-plu-s-ver-the-equalizer-3-2023-online-gratis-en-espanol-y-latino-01HAS9HC1T8S52S5DEGGZHCEX1
    https://www.taskade.com/p/cuevana-ver-indiana-jones-y-el-dial-del-destino-2023-pelicula-online-en-espanol-y-latino-01HASPB6989180RRSJPHRWKW87
    https://www.taskade.com/p/ver-hd-guardianes-de-la-galaxia-volume-3-2023-online-gratis-en-espanol-y-latino-01HASPNRMAN3NT9CRV92FPDNE6
    https://www.taskade.com/p/cuevana-3-ver-la-monja-2-2023-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-latino-hd-01HASPWQG02KW2EPS9H8C305QT
    https://www.taskade.com/p/ver-megalodon-2-la-fosa-2023-online-gratis-en-espanol-latino-01HASQCP792G7R4GNKRJDXEXWD
    https://www.taskade.com/p/pelis-plus-ver-barbie-2023-pelicula-completa-online-espanol-y-latino-01HASQJYT4JG94NC4WEGGBHBP2
    https://www.taskade.com/p/pelisplus-ver-after-aqui-acaba-todo-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-y-latino-01HASQSDVTME084HFTM6GHAH14
    https://www.taskade.com/p/cuevana3-ver-spider-man-cruzando-el-multiverso-2023-pelicula-online-en-espanol-y-latino-01HASQY5HKAX26MPS25JH31C4K
    https://www.taskade.com/p/guarda-e-colpa-mia-2023-in-alta-definizione-film-streaming-ita-01HASRS8H2QZ0J3EGEP6CAHVJM
    https://www.taskade.com/p/guarda-gran-turismo-streaming-ita-gratis-senza-registrazione-2023-01HASRVGVTRVQNN2D87T5STG9B
    https://www.taskade.com/p/guarda-barbie-2023-streaming-ita-in-altadefinizione-01HASRXTZFXFYW1GW57CRSDZHR
    https://www.taskade.com/p/openload-the-nun-ii-2023-streaming-ita-in-alta-definizione-01HASS53XS31KETHHNE9X3X40E
    https://www.taskade.com/p/film-complet-la-nonne-la-malediction-de-sainte-lucie-2023-streaming-vf-gratuit-en-francais-01HASSB6TXAJHCV63A67F2SND9
    https://www.taskade.com/p/vo-ir-spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-2023-streaming-vf-fr-complet-en-francais-01HASSMWRN6YXCBZFGM43KNSA7
    https://www.taskade.com/p/vo-ir-barbie-2023-streaming-vf-fr-complet-en-francais-01HASSYBZJEQ53BEZKFNXB3D5E
    https://www.taskade.com/p/v-oi-r-oppenheimer-2023-fr-streaming-francais-gratuit-et-vf-complet-01HAST5T4CX9JPT5DCGYWSVH63
    https://www.taskade.com/p/v-oi-r-fi-lm-s-after-chapitre-5-2023-streaming-vf-gratuit-en-francais-01HAST9N9EPF65FAK2F0064AN7
    https://www.taskade.com/p/watch-the-nun-ii-2023-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies-01HASTETHGMZCC9068MAYS5RJ6
    https://www.taskade.com/p/pelis-plus-the-creator-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-y-latino-01HASV5H7W96Q6F5P279QYES8C
    https://www.taskade.com/p/2-2023-hd-1080-p-01HAS9PMGGAWDMA98DQWD1NWN7
    https://www.taskade.com/p/3-2023-hd-1080p-01HAS9TTTVESR9AM4NR6X7KJYJ
    https://www.taskade.com/p/ii-2023-the-nun-2-thai-sub-01HASJW9X3XC1S49FE02YP6HDK
    https://www.taskade.com/p/7510-2023-1080-p-01HASK0EZRAGG5GTD8AJCZ07XK
    https://www.taskade.com/p/2023-tw-zh-barbie-1080-p-01HASK6W6PJSZSX2MDX1WXYSF9
    https://www.taskade.com/p/2-the-nun-2-2023-2023-01HASRG1ZGSPDY3NVEWMJ2S0D3
    https://www.taskade.com/p/2-2023-hd-01HASRJ1JHQ58MRWW0N2646YEE
    https://app.eventsframe.com/app/event/5696931075457024/
    https://app.eventsframe.com/app/event/4691836653273088/

Leave a comment

BLOG