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DEPLETION OF OURCORAL REEFSA. Good Student

Environmental Biology 5Professor Cumming

Beautiful coral reefs, like the picture shownbelow, have existed for millions of years in theirunder sea environment. Unfortunately, with humanexpansion and the pollution that it causes, thesurvival of this important and breathtakingecosystem is being threatened.

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The world’s coral reefs cover only about 368,000 square miles,occupying less than three-tenths of one percent of the ocean’sfloor. Although the ecosystem is a small one, close to onemillion species of fish, crabs, eels, mollusks, sponges, worms,grasses, algae, and other marine life call the coral reefs theirhome.

There are many factors that contributeto the depletion of coral reefs:

Coral mining- removal of limestone/sand, building materials, touristsouvenirs, and even for snake oil medicines

Climate- global warming leads to decreased ocean salinity and a risingocean depth

Diseases- caused by stress and warmer water temperatures, coralbleaching

-oil and industrial pollution

-tourism - blast fishing

-sewage - farm runoff

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Vacationers feel privileged to be able to deep sea dive and geta first hand look at the incredible biodiversity that the reefsprovide. They are unaware of the fact that just by touchingthe fragile coral, as shown in the photograph, they aredamaging it’s delicate tissue.

These two picturesdemonstrate the harmfuleffects of humans on thecoral reefs. The healthyexample is presented firstand then the aftermathof human involvementshows an ecosystemstruggling to survive.

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The coral reefs provide homes for many varieties ofplants and animals. Many different kinds of fish livein the reefs as their haven for feeding, reproduction,and safety from predators. Without an ecosystem tolive in, these fish species will become extinct.

The Nassau Grouper,one of the overfishedspecies along theCaribbean and Braziliancoast.

nurse sharks golden moray

white spotted moray

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The red dotsmark theexistence ofcoral reefs alongcoast of Florida.

Florida90% of Florida’s coral reefs are said to be dead or dying. Poorfreshwater management along with 3 million plus tourists a yeardon’t help the reefs survive under the harsh conditions.Pollution from boating, agricultural runoff, and leaching ofseptic systems are also reasons for depletion of corals inFlorida.

Hawaii and the Pacific

The main problem that Hawaii faces is over-fishing, yettourism and agriculture also get in the way of complete coralprotection. In 1989 the Exxon Houston tanker collided with areef, destroying miles of coastline with 30,000 gallons ofspilled oil. It is impossible for delicate reefs to fully recoverfrom a disaster such as this.

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Researchers have beenworking for years on ways tohelp save the fate of thecoral reefs throughout theworld.

Researchers at the University of Guam have cultivated 10species of coral that they hope to bring to full blownaquaculture. They hope to be able to farm coral so that theycan replace destroyed areas, or grow patches to apply todamaged reefs to aid in regeneration.

Scientists take students out to survey the reefs and teachthem about the importance of this threatened ecosystem.Hopefully this new generation will be knowledgeable enough totake better care of the precious coral reefs and the oceanaround them.

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The coral reef situation may not be in perfect condition rightnow but with the help of many hard working scientists andactivist organizations this ecosystem just might have a chanceat survival. Humans need to understand that they too areimpacted by a part of nature that seems so miniscule. Thesereefs do not serve as just entertainment on vacation, butthey furnish life.

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