j21kickster
Active Member
Im still in the rough draft- and i havent cited sources- but i will- tell me what you think- revise i you want- mind you that i put this off till just tonight and it is due in 2 days so go easy- i was rushing
When seen for the first time, it is nothing short of breathtaking. One can not find such diversity and color any other place on the planet. When submerged in this underwater world, every color of the rainbow fluoresces under the shimmering sunlight. As you look around, your senses are enthralled by every aspect of this complex ecosystem; from the multitude of one-of-a kind symbiotic relationships, to the unique behavior of all of its inhabitants specially adapted to its particular niche.
Coral reefs are, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular environments known to man. The significance of these reefs is unsurpassed by any natural landmark. However, the coral reefs are being pushed to the boundaries of their survival by both natural destruction and the effects of mankind. With out further affirmative action, they will continue to decline at an alarming rate.
To better understand the problems the reefs face, it is important to the know the basis of what they actually are. A coral reef is made up of thousands of individual organisms. The most prevalent feature is the coral itself. Corals make up the bulk of the reef and are in the kingdom Animalia. There are many species of coral and each varies in form. The predominant of the reef building corals are called the stony corals. The word coral, is of Greek descent meaning “what becomes hard in the hand”. Individual coral colonies are made up of single organisms called polyps. To describe it simply, a polyp is a relatively small sessile (stationary) invertebrate with numerous tentacles surrounding a central disc (or mouth) from which it feeds on zooplankton (tiny marine crustaceans). The word “stony” refers to a skeleton made of calcium. This skeleton is what defines the shape of the coral and is not unlike the skeletal system of our bodies.
What makes reef so important? There is a smilingly endless list to this question. Reefs provide a home for approximately one-third of all the known species of marine fish and over million species in all. This significance is further amplified when one considers that reefs only make up .2 percent of the ocean floor. By no means are reefs composed only of fish and coral. They provide a home for tens of thousands of non-coral species which include crustaceans, plants, sponges, benthic (bottom dwelling) invertebrates, worms, plankton and bacteria from over 30 separate phyla. “Reefs protect an estimated 15% of all beaches and coastlines from storms and erosion by reducing the action of ocean waves and in turn saving millions of dollars that would otherwise be needed to repair damage. They also contain many new or still unexplored materials that may represent medical breakthroughs and are currently a source for many pharmaceutical compounds” and because of a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae, they remove carbon dioxide from the air which has direct correlation to global warming.
There are enough benefits derived from coral reefs to write an encyclopedia. Despite their obvious contribution to the planet, they continue to decline. There are numerous factors that are responsible for their demise; most are caused by humans.
Out of coral reefs worldwide, only 30% are estimated to be in a stable condition. 10% have already been destroyed due to human activity. Reef are most threatened in the Caribbean and southern Asia, primarily in Indonesia. An additional 30% are in critical condition and without action in the near future, will be destroyed as well. At the current destruction rate 60% of the world’s coral reefs will be destroyed within twenty to forty years. These numbers are astonishing considering the fact that coral reefs have been around for 230million years.
A majority of reef destruction is caused by humans. There are multiple factors for their decline. There have been many studies composed on global warming and it effects within recent years. Coral reefs are some of the first living organisms to show its effects. The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has done extensive research on one of the worst world-wide coral bleaching in history. “The coral bleaching of 1997-1998, is the most geographically widespread ever recorded, and probably the most severe in recorded history. Bleaching means that corals (both hard and soft), as well as giant clams and some other animals like sponges, lose their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and/or the pigments of those algae, such that the coral appears pale to stark white. Some bleaching may be a seasonal event in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean, and full recovery is the norm. Frequently many corals recover from bleaching, but death may result if the stress is extreme or prolonged. Normally fast-growing, branching corals in the Indo-Pacific are more susceptible than slow-growing boulder corals, which if they are bleached, frequently recover in 1 to 2 months. In this year’s bleaching event, there was widespread death of the fast growing corals, and also bleaching of the more resistant forms – the boulder and plate-like corals. For example, some 700-year-old Porites corals on inner reefs of the Australian Great Barrier Reef and Vietnam have been extensively bleached, and some have died. Complete recovery of these reefs will be slow.” (AIMS 1997-1998 Homepage) This is a perfect example on how global warming causes reef destruction. Worldwide bleaching events still occur and dramatic weather changes, such as El Nino, intensify these effects.
When corals loose their access to sunlight and are unable to feed, they slowly perish. With human development around the world, there is sedimentary disturbance which is carried out into the oceans. Mining, construction, agriculture, dredging, deforestation, and poor land management are all contributors to sedimentation. Particles cloud the water after such activates and begin to settle on the coral. With out proper light exposure and the ability for the polyps to feed, they eventually die.
Since corals have such dramatic colors they, naturally, are desired to be kept in home aquariums. Over one hundred species of coral are imported from around the world for use in home aquariums. The lack of knowledge that many home aquarists have leads to poor survival rates, both during international shipping and improper aquarium care. The natural inclination of humans to try after a failed attempt only compounds the problem of over collection. “The United States is the largest importer of coral. The U.S. imports 70%-80% percent of the live coral, 95% percent of the live rock (reef rock used to create aquarium aquascapes that is traded.” This is clear evidence that the U.S. needs to take action in coral reef conservation “Since 1993, the trade in corals has been increasing at a rate of approximately 10%-20% each year.”
As stated before, sedimentation and agricultural runoff create devastation among the reefs. The ocean is evolved to survive perfectly if it were not for human interference. When excess nutrients are introduced into the ocean via runoff, several factors arise. Algae thrive off of excess nutrients. When there are different compounds and minerals in the water, it produces what is known as an algae bloom. Algae begins to grow at elevated rates and often times, grows over the coral and literally chokes out food and sunlight. This would not have such drastic if the algae eating fish remained on the reef, instead, they too are over collected and thus depletes the reefs natural algae control.
In addition to increased algae growth, excess nutrients also increase the chance for disease. Like all living organisms, corals can be plagued with deadly diseases. Some of them include: White-Band Disease, Black-Band Disease, White Plague, and Yellow-Blotch Disease. While the specific effects of these diseases is not the issue, the all have the ability to kill any coral they come in contact with and spread throughout the reef.
Now that the effects of sedimentation are known, there are other forms of pollution that can be taken into account. Sewage, weather it be raw or filtered had similar effects on the reef. With the addition of excess nutrients, poisons are also introduced. A variety of poisons that are introduced to the reefs have quick-acting and most often, deadly effects. Locations such as Kaneohe Bay, in Hawaii, and Jakarta have pollution trouble worse than most. “Over 7,000,000 cubic feet of septic-tank waste and 2,200 tons of solid waste, all untreated, end up in Jakarta Bay every day.”
The last destructive act that will be discussed is the process in which many corals and reef fishes are collected. Cyanide bombs are popular in Southeast Asia. They are used daily to collect reef fishes for the aquarium trade. The effects of the poison stun the fish in the proximal area, killing most in the process. The fish are stunned by its effects and thus are easier to collect. The problem with this is simple; most fish do not survive the bombs and the ones that do, do not live for more than a few weeks after they were collected. The corals are less resistant to cyanide’s effects and often die at exposure.
When seen for the first time, it is nothing short of breathtaking. One can not find such diversity and color any other place on the planet. When submerged in this underwater world, every color of the rainbow fluoresces under the shimmering sunlight. As you look around, your senses are enthralled by every aspect of this complex ecosystem; from the multitude of one-of-a kind symbiotic relationships, to the unique behavior of all of its inhabitants specially adapted to its particular niche.
Coral reefs are, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular environments known to man. The significance of these reefs is unsurpassed by any natural landmark. However, the coral reefs are being pushed to the boundaries of their survival by both natural destruction and the effects of mankind. With out further affirmative action, they will continue to decline at an alarming rate.
To better understand the problems the reefs face, it is important to the know the basis of what they actually are. A coral reef is made up of thousands of individual organisms. The most prevalent feature is the coral itself. Corals make up the bulk of the reef and are in the kingdom Animalia. There are many species of coral and each varies in form. The predominant of the reef building corals are called the stony corals. The word coral, is of Greek descent meaning “what becomes hard in the hand”. Individual coral colonies are made up of single organisms called polyps. To describe it simply, a polyp is a relatively small sessile (stationary) invertebrate with numerous tentacles surrounding a central disc (or mouth) from which it feeds on zooplankton (tiny marine crustaceans). The word “stony” refers to a skeleton made of calcium. This skeleton is what defines the shape of the coral and is not unlike the skeletal system of our bodies.
What makes reef so important? There is a smilingly endless list to this question. Reefs provide a home for approximately one-third of all the known species of marine fish and over million species in all. This significance is further amplified when one considers that reefs only make up .2 percent of the ocean floor. By no means are reefs composed only of fish and coral. They provide a home for tens of thousands of non-coral species which include crustaceans, plants, sponges, benthic (bottom dwelling) invertebrates, worms, plankton and bacteria from over 30 separate phyla. “Reefs protect an estimated 15% of all beaches and coastlines from storms and erosion by reducing the action of ocean waves and in turn saving millions of dollars that would otherwise be needed to repair damage. They also contain many new or still unexplored materials that may represent medical breakthroughs and are currently a source for many pharmaceutical compounds” and because of a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae, they remove carbon dioxide from the air which has direct correlation to global warming.
There are enough benefits derived from coral reefs to write an encyclopedia. Despite their obvious contribution to the planet, they continue to decline. There are numerous factors that are responsible for their demise; most are caused by humans.
Out of coral reefs worldwide, only 30% are estimated to be in a stable condition. 10% have already been destroyed due to human activity. Reef are most threatened in the Caribbean and southern Asia, primarily in Indonesia. An additional 30% are in critical condition and without action in the near future, will be destroyed as well. At the current destruction rate 60% of the world’s coral reefs will be destroyed within twenty to forty years. These numbers are astonishing considering the fact that coral reefs have been around for 230million years.
A majority of reef destruction is caused by humans. There are multiple factors for their decline. There have been many studies composed on global warming and it effects within recent years. Coral reefs are some of the first living organisms to show its effects. The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has done extensive research on one of the worst world-wide coral bleaching in history. “The coral bleaching of 1997-1998, is the most geographically widespread ever recorded, and probably the most severe in recorded history. Bleaching means that corals (both hard and soft), as well as giant clams and some other animals like sponges, lose their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and/or the pigments of those algae, such that the coral appears pale to stark white. Some bleaching may be a seasonal event in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean, and full recovery is the norm. Frequently many corals recover from bleaching, but death may result if the stress is extreme or prolonged. Normally fast-growing, branching corals in the Indo-Pacific are more susceptible than slow-growing boulder corals, which if they are bleached, frequently recover in 1 to 2 months. In this year’s bleaching event, there was widespread death of the fast growing corals, and also bleaching of the more resistant forms – the boulder and plate-like corals. For example, some 700-year-old Porites corals on inner reefs of the Australian Great Barrier Reef and Vietnam have been extensively bleached, and some have died. Complete recovery of these reefs will be slow.” (AIMS 1997-1998 Homepage) This is a perfect example on how global warming causes reef destruction. Worldwide bleaching events still occur and dramatic weather changes, such as El Nino, intensify these effects.
When corals loose their access to sunlight and are unable to feed, they slowly perish. With human development around the world, there is sedimentary disturbance which is carried out into the oceans. Mining, construction, agriculture, dredging, deforestation, and poor land management are all contributors to sedimentation. Particles cloud the water after such activates and begin to settle on the coral. With out proper light exposure and the ability for the polyps to feed, they eventually die.
Since corals have such dramatic colors they, naturally, are desired to be kept in home aquariums. Over one hundred species of coral are imported from around the world for use in home aquariums. The lack of knowledge that many home aquarists have leads to poor survival rates, both during international shipping and improper aquarium care. The natural inclination of humans to try after a failed attempt only compounds the problem of over collection. “The United States is the largest importer of coral. The U.S. imports 70%-80% percent of the live coral, 95% percent of the live rock (reef rock used to create aquarium aquascapes that is traded.” This is clear evidence that the U.S. needs to take action in coral reef conservation “Since 1993, the trade in corals has been increasing at a rate of approximately 10%-20% each year.”
As stated before, sedimentation and agricultural runoff create devastation among the reefs. The ocean is evolved to survive perfectly if it were not for human interference. When excess nutrients are introduced into the ocean via runoff, several factors arise. Algae thrive off of excess nutrients. When there are different compounds and minerals in the water, it produces what is known as an algae bloom. Algae begins to grow at elevated rates and often times, grows over the coral and literally chokes out food and sunlight. This would not have such drastic if the algae eating fish remained on the reef, instead, they too are over collected and thus depletes the reefs natural algae control.
In addition to increased algae growth, excess nutrients also increase the chance for disease. Like all living organisms, corals can be plagued with deadly diseases. Some of them include: White-Band Disease, Black-Band Disease, White Plague, and Yellow-Blotch Disease. While the specific effects of these diseases is not the issue, the all have the ability to kill any coral they come in contact with and spread throughout the reef.
Now that the effects of sedimentation are known, there are other forms of pollution that can be taken into account. Sewage, weather it be raw or filtered had similar effects on the reef. With the addition of excess nutrients, poisons are also introduced. A variety of poisons that are introduced to the reefs have quick-acting and most often, deadly effects. Locations such as Kaneohe Bay, in Hawaii, and Jakarta have pollution trouble worse than most. “Over 7,000,000 cubic feet of septic-tank waste and 2,200 tons of solid waste, all untreated, end up in Jakarta Bay every day.”
The last destructive act that will be discussed is the process in which many corals and reef fishes are collected. Cyanide bombs are popular in Southeast Asia. They are used daily to collect reef fishes for the aquarium trade. The effects of the poison stun the fish in the proximal area, killing most in the process. The fish are stunned by its effects and thus are easier to collect. The problem with this is simple; most fish do not survive the bombs and the ones that do, do not live for more than a few weeks after they were collected. The corals are less resistant to cyanide’s effects and often die at exposure.
