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Coral Reefs: Just Keep Swimming... Can We?

Coral reefs...warm climate, clear water, diverse and beautiful biological communities. These reefs represent one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Alarmingly, experts suggest that 10% of the coral reefs have been destroyed, and that 60% are in danger (3).

Corals define this ecosystem with their calcareous skeleton which provide protection for the local marine life from predators. Corals provide the necessary conditions for about 25% of all marine life in less than 0.2% of the ocean (3). Calcium carbonate is continually secreted by these structures which adds to the size of the colony of 0.3-10 cm per year (1). Corals have a symbiotic relationship with algae (zooxanthellae), that live inside the coral polyps and perform photosynthesis which provides their main function (3). According to the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the production of the products of photosynthesis in the coral reefs is greater than that of a rainforest (2). Evidence suggests that reefs are in danger, which is quite an important ecological problem due to their role as well as their benefits. For example, coral reef products have been used in the pharmaceutical industry in order to develop anti-cancer drugs and painkillers (3). Coral reefs demonstrate short term adaptations to natural catastrophic events; however reefs cannot adapt well to long-term stress, such as runoff (both agricultural and industrial), increased sedimentation from land clearing, human waste and toxic releases.

Many environmental and sustainability problems influence the coral reefs. For everything eventually goes into our water and eventually coral reefs. Runoff is a major problem with respect to the oceans as well as coral reefs. Coastal nutrient runoff stimulates algae growth and can overrun the reefs. Agricultural and industrial runoff results in toxins being released and absorbed by this fragile ecosystem. Impervious surfaces such as paved roads, parking lots, and buildings increase runoff rates. A major problem affecting coral is coral bleaching where they lose their zooxanthellae, exposing the calcium carbonate skeletons to the colony. Coral bleaching is affected by environmental changes or stresses such as: disease, excess shade, increased levels of UV radiation, sedimentation, pollution, salinity changes, and increased temperatures. Global warming's increased temperatures threatens coral through more susceptibility to bacterial diseases as well as influencing coral bleaching. The increased levels of carbon dioxide make the oceans less alkaline (more acidic) causing the dissolution of calcium carbonate secreted by these corals. The increased temperature increases algae growth, and since algae grows faster and is controlled or regulated by herbivorous fish or sea urchins. However there is a diminished supply of fish, resulting in the consumption of coral fish due to the increased population demand. This can be seen in areas like the Caribbean where the depleted supply of the fish results on the dependence of algae regulation by sea urchins. After 1982, El Niño resulted in a massive elimination of sea urchins. The method of fishing also affects the reefs, in the Philippines and Indonesia dynamite fishing threatens reefs by blowing them apart. In other areas, some fishermen resort to injections of cyanide. Aesthetics also affect the reef, for example in Australia the Great Barrier Reef coral is attacked by starfish. They are regulated by Triton's trumpet which has been depleted due to the use of their shells as decoration.

Due to the importance of this ecosystem, the EPA as well as the US government have created efforts to conserve and manage these coral reefs. Currently the EPA is developing a watershed approach to protect this unique ecosystem. However, protection is one thing, but we need to stop harming our beautiful surroundings by taking action against the matrix problems surrounding this environment: agriculture, runoff, pollution, global warming, waste, and toxins.

Works Cited

“Coral Reef Protection: What Are Coral Reefs?” United States Environmental Protection Agency. 05 August 2011. <<[|http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/habitat/coral_index.cfm#problems][|>>]

[|Shaw, Jonathan. "Reefs at Risk:The world's most fragile marine ecosystems are in decline." Harvard Magazine. July-August 2011.] [| <<][|http://harvardmagazine.com/2011/07/reefs-at-risk#article-][|images][|>>]

[|"Coral Reefs." Exploring the Environment. Wheeling Jesuit University/NASA-supported Classroom of the Future. 09 March 2004. <<][][|>>]

Picture Sources:

[|http://harvardmagazine.com/2011/07/reefs-at-risk#article-images]

Finding Nemo. <<[]>>

Coral Reef Map. <<[]>>

Coral Reef Sun. <<[][|Polynesia-Photos/G0000vb3DOpiGpbg/I0000oCCZ9ULkOnY]>>

Coral Bleaching. <<[] [|Bleacing.jpg] >>

Coral Reef Food Chain. <<[]>>

Coral Reef Medicine. <<[]>>

Dead Reef. <<[]>>

Decorative Coral. <<[]>>

Sea Urchin. <<[]>>