As the death toll rises, science falls behind. Deaths occur every day, but none as devastating as the multi-use coral. Coral have been around for millions of years supplying the world with many of its essentials, but after all those years, disease, pollution, and human interaction have made an enormous impact on the coral colonies, causing death. Science is trying hard to keep up with the constant changes in coral and the amount of death it has. Although it is a race against the clocks, it is important to save the coral reefs because they provide shelter for aquatic animals, have medicinal uses, and protect coastal communities against storms.
Coral itself is a living creature. Coral can be found in many different formations, with several varying characteristics. This is why it can be found in many bodies of water around the world. It provides habitats for marine life throughout most oceans around the world. Brian Skoloff reports that, “25% of all marine species needs coral reefs to live and grow, while 40% of the fish caught commercially use reefs to breed." As a habitat it provides thousands of species with shelter, food and protection against enemies. The many different species of fish that the live in the coral; also reproduce in the coral. They use the coral as a safeguard against predators where their eggs will be kept safe. Without coral these thousands of species wouldn’t have the means to survive. Aside from being a center of life for many of the thriving populations below the sea, coral draws huge attention as a magnificent sight for tourists to come see. Each year travelers come from around the world to scuba dive and snorkel along shores with coral reefs. Not only do tourists swim alongside the coral but marine biologists do as well. The reef fish and mollusks that live in the coral feed about 30 to 40 million people every year (Wilkinson 2002). Coral is a fascinating life form that draws many researchers to ocean depths to try to understand its structure and uses.
Coral is absolutely necessary for not only life underwater, but life on land as well. It and its inhabitants have many medicinal uses. The economic value of coral is estimated to be at about $375 billion annually (Wilkinson 2002). Many of the marine animals that are housed by the coral are immobile. Since they are unable to flee from danger, they produce toxins that ward off predators. These toxins happen to have other uses as well, such as histamines, hormones, and antibiotics that are used by pharmaceutical companies. It is essential that the reefs are kept alive, because with the loss of these reefs, very important medicines will not be able to be produced again. The medicines produced have also been proven to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS, cancer, asthma, and arthritis. Many tests and studies have been undergone to artificially produce the same things produced by the corals and its inhabitants. There are still numerous ocean regions teeming with life that have yet to be discovered. The new species found there could hold the cures for many of the diseases fought today.
Coral also protect communities against storms. They act as a barrier, thus the name The Great Barrier Reef. It slows the storm down and lessons the blow to the coast. Tsunamis with massive swells are dampened by the reef, slowing down the water and its fast currents. A large part of the destruction of the reefs is caused by nature, but scientists say that reefs that have had human interaction are less likely to survive than those hit by hurricanes or tsunamis. In 1998, the tropical storm El Nino destroyed nearly 15% of the coral worldwide in just six months(Oliver 2007). The natural disasters that the coral help dampen effect the coral a great deal. It is very rough on the coral, causing it to be exposed and it can induce some climate changes that can cause bleaching and disease. The coral that protects the coastal communities is dwindling away for numerous reasons. A few of these are human interaction, overfishing, pollution, and rising sea temperatures caused by global warming.
The coral reefs are at the most risk due to human interaction and their fishing. Humans who try to take coral as a souvenir or just touch it while they are snorkeling cause a great amount of damage to the reefs, mainly their polyps. They are extremely fragile and even the smallest of disturbances can affect them. Humans try different tactics to catch fish, such as dynamite, poison, and large nets. All of these cause damage to the reefs, killing them in most cases. Fishermen drop anchor on the reef or fish away the ecosystem that keeps the coral alive. The fish eat much of the seaweed in the ocean. When the supply of fish is depleted due to overfishing, the seaweed grows up and “strangles” the coral(Baker S. 2008). Overfishing takes quite the toll on the underwater ecosystem provided by coral.
Pollution is another significant factor that contributes to the coral death. Waste is dumped into the ocean, debris floats out to sea, and trash is thrown in the water at the beach. The pollution blocks the sunlight the coral thrives on to produce photosynthesis by their symbiotic algae. Pollutants also raise the acidity in the water, contributing to bleaching. Other harmful effects on coral from pollution include, but are not limited to, “coral smothering, increased disease, weaker coral skeletons, reduced diversity, and mortality" (Smither 2003).
The zooxanthellae are symbiotic algae that live in the coral tissue and provide both food and color for the coral. The coral and its algae are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Slight 1-2 degrees centigrade changes in the water for a 5 to 10 day period can bleach the coral almost entirely. “When corals bleach they commonly lose 60-90% of their zooxanthellae and each zooxanthellae may lose 50-80% of its photosynthetic pigments" (Buchheim,1998). Global warming affects the water temperature, causing it to fluctuate. Small but prolonged rises in sea temperature force coral colonies to expel their symbiotic, food-producing algae, a process known as bleaching. Bleaching is hard to recover from, but it possible. Some Indian Ocean corals have suffered a 70% mortality rate(Oliver 2007). Burning fossil fuels releases carbon, which in turn is absorbed by the ocean(Skoloff). “Increasing carbon dioxide emissions could leave species such as coral and sea urchins struggling to survive by the end of the century because they are making the oceans more acidic" (Mark 2008). In order to stop this, humans need to reduce the production of greenhouse gases and other large quantities of carbon dioxide/emissions.
There are hundreds of organizations who are helping to fight the battle against coral death. The government has appointed special funding for its own government agency for the protection of ecosystems/habitats. They understand that coral, especially in developing countries, is depended upon by more than 500 million people (Wilkinson 2002). With so many people dependent on the coral, it is essential that a cure or a way to fight back to save coral is found. These groups do just that, with research and studies providing significant results that are crucial to saving the coral. Many scientists have started growing coral in baskets out in the ocean so it cannot be harmed by the predators or humans. In doing this, coral is able to grow in a much more controlled environment. These small steps aid the coral colonies immensely.
Coral interacts with so many different marine species, it is of great economic importance to the world, and it is a source of food for many cultures. Scientists are studying day and night all around the world trying to solve the mystery of the reefs. Why are they dying off? Is there a cure? Many scientists believe it is not but a mere lapse in the evolutionary chain. Coral reefs have been around for more than 20 million years. Many researchers believe that the reefs are just in a slump for the time being (Smither 2003). They have survived this long with natural disasters and other diseases, why should they become extinct now? Perhaps it is just a new phase in the coral lifetime, a time for the old to die out and the new to take over. It is time to re adapt to the new era. Evolution is necessary for survival. The coral with a higher tolerance for pollution and CO2 will prevail. Evidence has been shown that some algal symbionts with increased thermal tolerance are more abundant on reefs that have been more severely impacted by the rise in temperature(Baker A. 2004). As seen with all other living organisms in times for adaptation, the weak die and the immune grow, producing stronger and more fit offspring. The coral show some signs of reef-building in the warmer waters, proving that there may just be hope for the reefs.
The reefs are an essential part of the earth. They provide so much and we give back so little. The coral reefs must be saved. The groups and organizations who help to save the marine habitats a main reason the coral are still hanging on to life. The coral are declining at such a rapid pace, that several have been put on the endangered species list. The more involved each and every person gets, the slower the reefs will die. Perhaps they will even make a comeback! If the present rate of destruction continues, 70% of the world's coral reefs will be destroyed by the year 2050(Agency 2007). Coral are immensely fascinating organisms that are dying quickly. Science is unable to keep up with the rate at which it is dying. Coral destruction is a fight that everyone must take part in.
Works Cited
Agency Group 04. "U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Unveils Groundbreaking Plan Will Tackle Major Risks to Economy, Consumers, Environment Plan Calls For Protecting 20 Percent of All U.S. Coral Reefs by 2010." FDCH Regulatory Intelligence Database (n.d.). Business Source Premier. EBSCO. University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library, Fairbanks, AK. 12 Nov. 2008
Baker, Andrew C., et al. "Coral Reefs: Corals' Adaptive Response to Climate Change.." Nature 430.7001 (12 Aug. 2004): 741-741. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. EBSCO. University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library, Fairbanks, AK. 14 Nov. 2008
Baker, Sherry. "Rescuing the Reefs." Discover 29.6 (June 2008): 15-15. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK. 1 Nov. 2008
Buchheim, Jason. "Coral Reef Bleaching." Odyssey Expeditions. 1998. Marine Biology Learning Center. 23 Oct. 2008
Glynn, PW. "Coral Reef Bleaching: Facts, Hypotheses and Implications." Global Change Biology 2006 2:495-509.
Mark Henderson Science Editor. "Global Warming Making Sea an 'Acid Bath'." (n.d.)9 June 2008. TOPICsearch. EBSCO.University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library, Fairbanks, AK. 15 Oct. 2008 http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tth&AN=7EH2149143007&site=ehost-live.
Oliver, Rachel. "All About: Coral Reefs." CNN: EcoSolutions. 11 Dec. 2007. CNN. 15 Oct. 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2007/business/12/10/reefs.canaries/index.html?section=cnn_latest.
Sheridan, Michael. "Coral Transplants Rebuild Reefs Wrecked in Tsunami." (n.d.). 15 Oct. 2006. TOPICsearch. EBSCO. University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library, Fairbanks, AK. 15 Oct. 2008
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tth&AN=7EH3015538549&site=ehost-live
Skoloff, Brian. "NOAA Report: US Coral Reefs in Severe Decline." SFGate.com. 7 July 2008.SFC.15 Oct. 2008 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/07/07/national/a140231d01.dtl&type=printable.
Smither, Scott. “Coral Reefs in Crisis: Can the World’s Coral Reefs Survive?” Geodate 16.4 (Aug. 2003): 1-4. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Libraray, Fairbanks, AK. 31 Oct. 2008. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=109&sid=ed041516-4a26-479c-8f06-fd153c202817%40sessionmgr109&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=10846077
Wilkinson, C. Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville. 16 Oct. 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment