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NOAA/NSTA Web Seminar:
Coral Ecosystems:
Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs
LIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING @ YOUR DESKTOP
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs
Presented by Kathy Chaston Coral & Coastal Management Specialist NOAA’s National Ocean Service
Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management
Outline
• Coral biology
• Value of coral reefs
• Land-based pollution impacts
• Management actions
• Teaching resources
Outline
• Coral biology
• Value of coral reefs
• Land-based pollution impacts
• Management actions
• Teaching resources
What is coral?
Plant Animal Both?
Coral is as an animal with an algal symbiont
Source: NOAA
Reef building corals require: • Warm water: 75 – 85 Fahrenheit degrees• Light: Shallow and sediment free waters• Salinity: 34 – 37 ppt
PCS
Coral reef distribution
Source:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/media/supp_coral05a.html
Let’s pause for
2 questions
Outline
• Coral biology
• Value of coral reefs
• Known effects of land-based pollution
• Management actions
• Teaching resources
Coral reefs are valuable
• Biodiversity• Fisheries• Shoreline protection• Pharmaceuticals• Tourism • Education• Culture • Social values
Coral reefs: rainforests of the sea
How many species of fish live on reefs?
A. 40
B. 400
C. 4000
PCS
Coral reefs protect the shore-line
Reefs are important economically
Hawaii:• Net benefits = $360 million year • Overall asset value MHI = $10 billion
Study by: Cesar & van Beukering 2004
Many threats to Coral Reefs
Key threats to US reefs:
• Over-fishing
• Land-based sources of pollution
• Recreational overuse/misuse
• Lack of public awareness
• Climate change & coral bleaching
• Disease
Key threats to US reefs:
• Over-fishing
• Land-based sources of pollution
• Recreational overuse/misuse
• Lack of public awareness
• Climate change & coral bleaching
• Disease
Let’s pause for
2 questions
Outline
• Coral biology
• Value of coral reefs
• Land-based pollution impacts
• Management actions
• Teaching resources
Land and sea are connected
Photo’s courtesy of Malama Maunalua
Many sources of land-based pollution
Models estimate that 22% of all coral reefs world-wide are at high or medium threat from inland pollution and soil erosion.
(Bryant et al. 1998).
USGS
Runoff threatens coral reefs globally
Runoff impacts growth & survival of hard coral colonies
Bill Walsh DAR
Any idea’s how runoff impacts coral growth and survival?
Two volunteers?
1.
2.
Sediments reduce light and decrease coral growth
Sediments smother coral & sloughing wastes energy
Photo’s courtesy of Bill Walsh
Runoff effects coral
reproduction & recruitment
• Coral settlement rates are near zero on sediment covered surfaces • Sediment tolerance is lower in new recruits
Honolua Bay, Maui
Runoff effects reef community structure
Let’s pause for
2 questions
Outline
• Coral biology
• Value of coral reefs
• Land-based pollution impacts
• Management actions
• Teaching resources
Managing land-based pollution
• US Coral Reef Task Force formed
• Addressing key threats to reefs is a national priority
• Development of local action strategies
More information: http://coralreef.gov
Hawaii’s Local Action Strategy:
A collaborative multi-agency and community approach to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs
Sustainable Living Institute of Maui
Taking action to:
• Reduce pollutant loads
• Increase understanding through scientific research & monitoring
• Increase awareness
Outline
• Coral biology
• Value of coral reefs
• Known effects of land-based pollution
• Management actions
• Teaching resources
Lesson Plans & Curriculum
http://www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/education
http://www.hawaiireef.net/teachers/teachers.shtml
http://www.hawaiianatolls.org/teachers/NavChange.php
http://www.epa.gov/adopt/resources/
Activities
http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/ocean_guardian/welcome.html
Other educational materials available from NOAA and NSTA
Science Objects (4): Coral Reef Ecosystems
Web Seminar Archives (2): Today’s and April 10’s
SciPack: Coral Reef Ecosystems
SciGuide: Coral Ecosystems
Journal Articles
http://learningcenter.nsta.org
Funding
• NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET)
• Program was established in 2002 to create environmentally literate students and teachers through education.
• http://www.csc.noaa.gov/psc/bwet.html
• http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/bwet/welcome.html
Thank you
NASA logo
Thanks to our presenter, Kathy Chaston and to
NOAA for sponsoring this program
http://www.elluminate.com
Elluminate logo
http://learningcenter.nsta.org
NLC screenshot
National Science Teachers AssociationGerry Wheeler, Executive Director
Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs
Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning
LIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING @ YOUR DESKTOP
NSTA Web SeminarsFlavio Mendez, Director
Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator
