sustainability · 2211 comments ·

Coral Reefs as a Marker of Environmental Change

Coral Reefs as a Marker of Environmental Change

Coral is highly sensitive to its external environment. Changes in ocean temperature, pollution and run-off,  and pH (ocean acidification) can cause them to 'bleach' (1). When bleached, they can survive if optimal conditions return. However, if the stress is sustained, they will eventually die. As such, coral reefs are deeply threatened by environmental change and therefore make a good marker for the health of ocean ecosystems.

 

What is coral bleaching?

Coral live in a symbiotic relationship with microscopic, photosynthetic, algae called zooxanthellae (2). Like plants, the zooxanthellae capture sunlight and convert it into energy, providing essential nutrients to the coral (3). In return, the coral provides a protected environment for the zooxanthellae to live. Aside from providing nutrients, the zooxanthellae are also responsible for the colouring of many stony corals.

Under conditions of stress caused by changes in ocean temperature, agricultural run-off, and ocean acidification, resulting from human activities releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, the coral polyps expel their zooxanthellae, causing them to take on a white appearance, what is known as "coral bleaching" (4). The coral will not die instantly when the zooxanthellae is expelled, but if the period of stress is sustained, the zooxanthellae will be unable to re-enter the coral tissue, the coral will not get the essential nutrients it needs to survive.

What is left is the corals calcium carbonate skeleton. Algae begins to grow over the coral skeletons, blocking any chance of regrowth. After time, the skeletons will erode, resulting in the collapse of the reef structure. This collapse is not just an eyesore, it has catastrophic impacts for the ocean ecosystem, fisheries and local communities that depend on the reef for an income.

 

Why is it Important That we Protect Coral Reefs?

Habitat - Coral skeletons are an important component of the reef architecture and provide a habitat for 25% of all marine species (5). They provide shelter, spawning grounds and protection from predators. In their absence, fish stocks will decline, this has a knock-on effect to local communities who are reliant on fish for their main source of protein.

Tourism and Recreation - For coastal communities that are reliant on tourism for their income, the health of coral reefs is paramount to their survival. Ecotourism provides thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in income. It has been estimated that coral reefs have a global economic value of $36 billion per year (6).

Coastline Protection  - Coral reefs absorb 97% of a waves energy (7), acting as a buffer against storm events, such as hurricanes and tsunamis, to 150,000 km of global tropical coastlines in over 100 countries (8).

Pharmaceuticals - Due to the stationary nature of coral, it has developed a plethora of chemical defences in order to gain protection from predators and to fight disease. Coral is therefore becoming increasingly recognised as an important source of new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's and arthritis.

 

What Can we do to Help?

Although small changes at home will make a difference (e.g. buying organic food as to not contribute to the use of pesticides and herbicides), the real issue here is climate change which requires global cooperation and action to reduce emissions and slow global warming. The death of coral reefs is not just a great loss to the ocean but it will greatly impact millions of people, in over 100 countries, who rely on the reefs for their income and as a food source.

 

References:

  1. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/328/5985/1523
  2. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral02_zooxanthellae.html#:~:text=Coral%20polyps%2C%20which%20are%20animals,water%20to%20carry%20out%20photosynthesis
  3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs003380050249
  4. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1312064
  5. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404152918.htm
  6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17300635
  7. https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/coral-reefs.html
  8. https://oceanwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Atlas_of_Ocean_Wealth.pdf

2212 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • t43tt
    https://pelisplus.outgrow.us/ucm8626-2

    https://pelisplus.outgrow.us/pelisplus-5
    https://pelisplus.outgrow.us/pelisplus-7
    https://pelisplus.outgrow.us/pelisplus-9
    https://repellis24.outgrow.us/repellis24-2
    https://repellis24.outgrow.us/repellis24-4
    https://repellis24.outgrow.us/repellis24-6
    https://repellis24.outgrow.us/repellis24-8
    https://123movies.outgrow.us/123movies-2
    https://123movies.outgrow.us/123movies-4
    https://123movies.outgrow.us/123movies-6
    https://netflix366.outgrow.us/netflix366-2
    https://netflix366.outgrow.us/netflix366-4
    https://netflix366.outgrow.us/netflix366-6
    https://deadpoolwolverin.outgrow.us/deadpoolwolverin-2
    https://transformersone.outgrow.us/transformersone-2
    https://beetlejuice2.outgrow.us/beetlejuice2-2
    https://amiracist.outgrow.us/amiracist-2
    https://thesubstance.outgrow.us/thesubstance-2
    https://speaknoevil.outgrow.us/speaknoevil-2
    https://subservience.outgrow.us/subservience-2
    https://www.akcie.cz/nazor?ID_TEMA=336&ID_NAZOR=394451#sel
    https://pastelink.net/v0eerpdz
    https://www.pastery.net/ynefja/
    https://web.stanford.edu/group/spanlab/cgi-bin/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:Twetwertw45#efefe
    http://clan-banderos.de/web/index.php?site=profile&id=1&action=guestbook
    https://www.guestbook-free.com/books2/dieterbohlen/
    https://asmao.hashnode.dev/vrttrtrgtrg
    https://www.wilkinswalk.com/blogs/blogger/nike-air-vapormax?comment=133426053284#comments
    http://www.limesucks.com/thread_category/general/
    https://postheaven.net/4sv8y8sux5
    http://myhappiness.dinstudio.se/guest_11.html
    http://paste.jp/8c7ca4ec/
    https://yamcode.com/untitled-103243
    https://paiza.io/projects/MWo3x1r93F1yiJgeKBA6Qg
    https://pastebin.com/N9zKiTAz
    https://snippet.host/tvjpzm
    https://rentry.co/cgouonse
    http://paste.jp/8c7ca4ec/
    https://sebsauvage.net/paste/
    https://ctxt.io/2/AAC4WBVUEQ
    https://pastecode.io/s/qgaboyxo
    https://homment.com/fYWZlEOVYw45PXLC7tAv
    https://bitbin.it/R4si2InW/
    https://bitbin.it/R4si2InW/raw/
    https://www.taptap.io/post/8194615
    https://jsfiddle.net/z9tgpa26/
    https://issuu.com/amirah123/stacks
    https://etextpad.com/mwtyabxfbo
    https://rextester.com/XHYA57377
    https://justpaste.it/9f97l
    https://glot.io/snippets/h034mk7cq9
    https://tech.io/snippet/Abb3dRv
    https://jsitor.com/aNZJhKtQaj
    https://www.wowace.com/paste/6c796380
    https://paste.toolforge.org/view/ccf01f96
    https://paste.myst.rs/ko97maon
    https://matters.town/a/jq06c19r1cu3
    https://www.bihann.com/cast/443.html
    https://communicators.ncsu.edu/
    https://community.goldencorral.com/
    https://community.thoracic.org/
    https://network.propertyweek.com/
    https://ultrafighteronline.com/topic/6878/rgbgrrrg
    https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/9524/dveegee
    https://nodebb.klangknecht.com/topic/3111/rerbb
    https://web3devcommunity.com/topic/10154/rgeerher
    https://forum.instube.com/d/140901-fbrbrbr
    https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/143265-bfbfb
    https://www.homerev.com/blogs/home-revolution/how-often-should-i-wash-my-reusable-coffee-mug?comment=135440597245#comments
    https://vietnamtrade-forum.com/threads/uyjjuyjuyj.18445/
    https://smmwebforum.com/threads/thtrht.20649/
    http://www.fellnasen-service.de/index.php?thread/249866-hhtjhtj/
    https://chobaolam.vn/threads/ggththth.552997/
    http://forum.dnpsolpol.ru/threads/ergrtgtrg.6742/
    https://www.lifesshortlivefree.com/community/off-topic/rf4454/
    https://www.dotandlil.com/blogs/blog/77012548-now-in-stock-vintage-honey-tins-maintenant-disponibles-pots-de-miel-vintage?comment=134329860375#comments
    https://socialmphl.com/story19696709/stream-free-movies-tv-shows
    https://prbookmarkingwebsites.com/story20192489/stream-free-movies-tv-shows
    https://https://www.selbstbesaiter.com/g%C3%A4stebuch/cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/
    https://bitbucket.org/santuy213/workspace/snippets/eq8KAr
    https://forum.woimortal.com/forum/community/discussions/51873-ddsvdsdvd
    https://haftahavit.com/blogs/news/so-simple-gifts-for-everyone?comment=134927319338#comments
    https://www.baristaswag.com/blogs/news/free-pour-latte-art-coffee-art?comment=138071736422#comments
    https://tagzfoods.com/blogs/news/tagz-why?comment=134124241136#comments
    http://www.ks-welldental.com/well/bbs/board.php?bo_table=daily&wr_id=5&&page=1&#c_132
    https://www.bankier.pl/forum/wiadomosc-zapisana?
    https://ca.gleener.com/blogs/news/how-to-keep-your-workspace-working-for-you?comment=132506812474#comments
    http://www.hartmanice.cz/en/vlozit-komentar/
    https://bryantsmeat.com/blogs/recipes/sausage-gumbo?comment=127816302777#comments
    https://www.cantiqla.com/blogs/news/cantiq-anniversary-party?comment=132930044013#comments
    https://smartsnack.cl/blogs/news/beneficios-de-dejar-el-azucar-y-tips-para-lograrlo?comment=137125789874#comments
    https://dangtinvantai.com/threads/hynhnjthht.49263/
    https://www.allthebabies.co/blogs/news/mom-to-mom-with-valerie?comment=134124306672#comments
    https://smmwebforum.com/threads/trgr.20655/
    http://www.convio.com/
    https://medicine.ju.edu.jo/lists/confreg/allitems.aspx?paged=true&pagedprev=true&p_id=79748&pagefirstrow=3740&&view=%7B02ed05f7-bda9-44ef-bf5f-c25827d57ed8%7D
    post_id=68242307&obs=&emal=&st=1&thread_id=
    https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/am-i-racist-2024-full-movi𝚎-online-free-on-english/topicid-3620126062575616/
    https://www.honor.com/uk/club/topicdetail/watch-beetlejuice-2-full-on-123movies/topicId-3620315588493313/

  • dfefrsf

    https://github.com/Anora-2024s
    https://github.com/Terrifier-3-2024s
    https://github.com/Transformers-One-2024s
    https://github.com/Joker-2-Folie-a-Deux-2024s
    https://github.com/We-Live-in-Time-2024s
    https://github.com/Megalopolis-2024s
    https://github.com/The-Wild-Robot-2024s
    https://github.com/Beetlejuice-2-Beetlejuice-2024s
    https://github.com/Smile22024s
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627530571677696/
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627530879991808/
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627531223891968/
    https://github.com/LahabitaTV/AlladoTV/discussions/1
    https://github.com/LahabitaTV/AlladoTV/discussions/2
    https://github.com/TacionTV/DealdoTV/discussions/1
    https://github.com/TacionTV/DealdoTV/discussions/2

  • dfefrsf

    https://github.com/Anora-2024s
    https://github.com/Terrifier-3-2024s
    https://github.com/Transformers-One-2024s
    https://github.com/Joker-2-Folie-a-Deux-2024s
    https://github.com/We-Live-in-Time-2024s
    https://github.com/Megalopolis-2024s
    https://github.com/The-Wild-Robot-2024s
    https://github.com/Beetlejuice-2-Beetlejuice-2024s
    https://github.com/Smile22024s
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627530571677696/
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627530879991808/
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627531223891968/
    https://github.com/LahabitaTV/AlladoTV/discussions/1
    https://github.com/LahabitaTV/AlladoTV/discussions/2
    https://github.com/TacionTV/DealdoTV/discussions/1
    https://github.com/TacionTV/DealdoTV/discussions/2

  • svvvdcxa

    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movies-watch-smile-2-2024-full-movie-online-free-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movies-watch-terrifier-2-2024-full-movie-online-free-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movies-watch-venom-3-the-last-dance-2024-full-movie-online-free-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movies-watch-the-wild-robot-2024-full-movie-online-free-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movies-watch-my-hero-academia-youre-next-2024-full-movie-online-free-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movies-watch-overlord-the-sacred-kingdom-2024-full-movie-online-free-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movs-watch-beetlejuice-beetlejuice-2024-full-movi-online-ree-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movs-watch-terrifier-3-2024-full-movi-online-ree-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movs-watch-smile-2-2024-full-movi-online-ree-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movs-watch-venom-3-the-last-dance-2024-full-movi-online-ree-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movs-watch-we-live-in-time-2024-full-movi-online-ree-on-english
    https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/123movs-watch-joker-folie-3-deux-2024-full-movi-online-ree-on-english
    http://www.theartist.co.kr/tv/view.html?idxno=1
    https://pastebin.com/bA01fWXN
    https://telegra.ph/grgrgg-10-23
    https://tech.io/snippet/FPQBeMU
    https://www.bankier.pl/forum/zapisz-wiadomosc
    https://forum.instube.com/d/161771-vfghyjuk
    https://www.taptap.io/post/8388496
    https://jsfiddle.net/z1snL8v0/
    https://www.wowace.com/paste/cb578b42
    https://issuu.com/amirah123/stacks
    http://paste.jp/b4ed88d0/
    https://jsitor.com/m6-fcIVg-N
    https://www.selbstbesaiter.com/g%C3%A4stebuch/
    https://glot.io/snippets/h14m5l6eky
    https://paste.thezomg.com/234333/72970242/
    https://rextester.com/RQK8855
    https://paiza.io/projects/8TMcpa_d09Ktv58ihSNvqQ
    https://rentry.co/uodivsay
    https://freepaste.link/public/hneroaa0ry
    https://pastecode.io/s/opmqvz6o
    https://paste.ee/p/3VgvR
    https://ctxt.io/2/AAB4irgtEQ
    https://medicine.ju.edu.jo/Lists/ConfReg/AllItems.aspx?
    https://justpaste.it/fiv9b
    https://notes.io/w4W64
    https://penzu.com/journals/31329148/102423395
    https://yamcode.com/untitled-107932
    https://www.akcie.cz/nazor?ID_TEMA=336&ID_NAZOR=397633#sel
    https://matters.town/a/vo5llhscvcxf
    https://bitbucket.org/santuy213/workspace/snippets/q7gd54
    https://www.lomarfarms.com/blogs/news/people?comment=136743256369#comments
    https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/2d8932bf
    https://etextpad.com/zdnc2ha3xw
    https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/-/snippets/36168
    https://www.nehannn.com/artist-detail/715.html?sasla
    http://www.codyjhughes.com/guestbook/
    https://pastelink.net/m4qpuu3s
    https://hackmd.io/kSL0rbvQQGCUI5tsu7VG-g
    https://www.pastery.net/bckhqx/
    https://wokwi.com/projects/412554834327390209

  • rachajasmine

    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361194/Xem-Phim-Ngay-Xua-Co-Mot-Chuyen-Tinh-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361197/Xem-Phim-Elli-Va-Bi-An-Chiec-Tau-Ma-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361198/Xem-Phim-Tro-Choi-Nhan-Tinh-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361199/Xem-Phim-Biet-Doi-Hot-Girl-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361200/Xem-Phim-Co-Dau-Hao-Mon-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361202/Xem-Phim-Bong-Da-Nu-Viet-Nam-Chuyen-Lan-Dau-Ke-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361204/Xem-Phim-Tin-Hieu-Cau-Cuu-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361205/Xem-Phim-Bocchi-The-Rock-Recap-Part-2-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361207/Xem-Phim-Nhat-Quy-Nhi-Ma-Thu-Ba-Takagi-Treu-Roi-Yeu-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361208/Xem-Phim-Domino-Loi-Thoat-Cuoi-Cung-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361209/Xem-Phim-Robot-Hoang-Da-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361210/Xem-Phim-Bocchi-The-Rock-Recap-Part-1-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361211/Xem-Phim-Mo-Dom-Dom-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361213/Xem-Phim-Kumanthong-Chieu-Hon-Vong-Nhi-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361214/Xem-Phim-Do-Anh-Cong-Duoc-Toi-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361215/Xem-Phim-Noi-Tinh-Yeu-Ket-Thuc-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361216/Xem-Phim-Transformers-Mot-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361217/Xem-Phim-Lam-Giau-Voi-Ma-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361219/Xem-Phim-Ren-Luyen-Y-Chi-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361222/Xem-Phim-Ga-He-Dien-Loan-3-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361223/Xem-Phim-Than-Duoc-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-361224/Xem-Phim-MA-DA-Vietsub-Thuyet-Minh-Full.4K-HD-2024-Vietsub
    https://safa-rivers.hashnode.dev/pelisplus-la-joia-bad-gyal-pelicula-completa-en-espanol
    https://medium.com/@karllone/pelisplus-la-joia-bad-gyal-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-1bb320d52f18
    https://taplink.cc/lajoiabadgyalespanol
    https://linktr.ee/rachajasmine
    https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/RachaJasmine/
    https://muckrack.com/racha-jasmine
    https://www.qatarliving.com/forum/company-news/impact-anime-global-culture
    https://forumketoan.com/threads/the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture.45849/
    https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/elizavaleria/diary/202410240000/
    https://fivedollarclassifieds.com/business-opportunities_2/work-from-home/racha-jasmine_i65648
    https://nodebb.klangknecht.com/topic/5846/the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture
    https://elizavaleria.gumroad.com/l/ltqhmo
    http://ofbiz.116.s1.nabble.com/The-Impact-of-Anime-on-Global-Culture-td4805639.html
    https://www.hebergementweb.org/threads/the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture.1935784/
    https://elizavaleria.diary.ru/p222160066_the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture.htm
    https://hpdcrmportal.dynamics365portals.us/forums/general-discussion/e41f11fe-8b91-ef11-95f6-001dd8002917
    https://forum.instube.com/d/161810-the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture
    https://diendannhansu.com/threads/the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture.651691/
    https://wayworld.listbb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27407&p=36344#p36344
    https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/199436-the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture
    https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1054223/the-impact-of-anime-on-global-culture

  • dfefrsf

    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627384182046721/
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627384356110336/
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627384783962112/
    https://github.com/Smile2-Global-TV
    https://github.com/orgs/Smile2-Global-TV/discussions/1
    https://github.com/Venom-3-The-Last-Dance-2024-DownlodENG
    https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627382707781633/
    https://www.honor.com/mea/club/topicdetail/topicid-3627382707781633/

Leave a comment

BLOG