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 COinto 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

2633 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • dgrtjhg

    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-ver-monster-summer-2
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-ver-megalopolis-2024
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-ver-deadpool-3-wolve
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplusversubservience2024on
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplusvertransformersone202
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplus-verbeetlejuice22024
    https://sites.google.com/view/pelisplusverbeetlejuicebeetlej
    https://www.wilkinswalk.com/blogs/blogger/nike-air-vapormax?comment=133488050340#comments
    http://www.limesucks.com/thread/wdw/
    https://postheaven.net/o58c8qozjm
    https://forum.woimortal.com
    https://dangtinvantai.com/threads/ddff55.49847/
    https://www.cantiqla.com/blogs/news/cantiq-anniversary-party?comment=132950163565#comments
    https://smartsnack.cl/blogs/news/beneficios-de-dejar-el-azucar-y-tips-para-lograrlo?comment=137150365874#comments
    https://www.allthebabies.co/blogs/news/mom-to-mom-with-valerie?comment=134153666800#comments
    https://chobaolam.vn/threads/hrthtrhrj.553713/
    http://forum.dnpsolpol.ru/threads/gregergr.7017/
    https://socialmphl.com/story19696709/stream-free-movies-tv-shows
    https://prbookmarkingwebsites.com/story20192489/stream-free-movies-tv-shows
    https://smmwebforum.com/threads/hthththtr.21568/
    https://haftahavit.com/blogs/news/so-simple-gifts-for-everyone?comment=134958645546#comments
    https://www.baristaswag.com/blogs/news/free-pour-latte-art-coffee-art?comment=138142875750#comments
    https://tagzfoods.com/blogs/news/tagz-why?comment=134153634032#comments
    http://www.ks-welldental.com/well/bbs/board.php?bo_table=daily&wr_id=5&&page=1&#c_149
    https://www.homerev.com/blogs/home-revolution/how-often-should-i-wash-my-reusable-coffee-mug?comment=135482540285#comments
    https://vietnamtrade-forum.com/threads/gthyhyj.19014/
    https://forum.sweepsflow.com/category/39/promotions/forum/community/discussions/71309-grgtght
    https://pelisplushd.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-transformers-one-2024-pelicula-online-en-espanol
    https://pelisplushd.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-beetlejuice-2-2024-pel-cula-online-en-espa-ol-y-subtitulad
    https://cuevanahd.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-deadpool-3-wolverine-2024-online-en-espa-ol
    https://cuevanahd.outgrow.us/cuevana-3-ver-transformers-one-2024-pelicula-online-en-espa-ol
    https://githubespana.outgrow.us/pelisplus-ver-joker-folie-deux-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol
    https://veraqui.outgrow.us/ver-transformers-one-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-repelis-hd
    https://veraqui.outgrow.us/ver-beetlejuice-2-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-repelis-hd
    https://meganfox.outgrow.us/ver-subservience-2024-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-repelis-hd
    https://pastelink.net/9cz3avak
    https://www.pastery.net/yrzhvz/
    https://snippet.host/cyyeyu
    https://pastebin.com/
    https://tech.io/snippet/jR1KvOV
    https://glot.io/snippets/h0at1fynaw
    https://paste.toolforge.org/view/494051ca
    https://telegra.ph/scscvs-09-26
    https://paiza.io/projects/CfBrGJSwEXeCxgFR2tdirg
    https://rentry.co/hx66fwxg
    https://etextpad.com/gmrvocreyp
    https://www.taptap.io/post/8231157
    https://yamcode.com/untitled-104119
    https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/bcc3fbd1
    https://paste.myst.rs/itist9kx
    https://paste.thezomg.com/
    https://www.onlinegdb.com/
    https://network.propertyweek.com/
    https://community.thoracic.org/
    https://sloan.ucr.edu/
    https://justpaste.it/gaukt
    https://ctxt.io/2/AAC49klOFg
    https://asmao.hashnode.dev/r32r32rf3r
    https://ourclass.mn.co/posts/dwed
    http://clan-banderos.de/web/index.php?site=profile&id=1&action=guestbook
    https://jsfiddle.net/fuhpsL0k/
    http://www.codyjhughes.com/guestbook/
    https://rextester.com/YZFXI92875
    https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/155001-htht
    https://forum.instube.com/d/145319-htht
    https://matters.town/a/68mxg8pqcb8c
    https://bitbin.it/6G6qGBq6/
    https://www.wowace.com/paste/e72ea6d0
    https://bitbucket.org/santuy213/workspace/snippets/MzB7g4
    https://nodebb.klangknecht.com/category/1/announcements
    https://www.forexagone.com/forum/create
    https://www.selbstbesaiter.com/g%C3%A4stebuch/
    https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/
    https://jpn.itlibra.com/article?id=23247
    https://www.lifesshortlivefree.com/community/off-topic/4gerger/
    https://www.dotandlil.com/blogs/blog/77012548-now-in-stock-vintage-honey-tins-maintenant-disponibles-pots-de-miel-vintage?comment=134332186903#comments
    https://ca.gleener.com/blogs/news/how-to-keep-your-workspace-working-for-you?comment=132613799994#comments
    https://bryantsmeat.com/blogs/recipes/sausage-gumbo?comment=127843270841#comments
    https://www.radiowarta.pl/artykul/16063,jak-nie-dac-sie-infekcji
    https://ultrafighteronline.com/topic/8268/frfrfrg
    https://medicine.ju.edu.jo/Lists/ConfReg/AllItems.aspx?
    https://www.lacartuccia.ch/g%C3%A4stebuch/
    https://web3devcommunity.com/topic/15010/scs
    https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/11071/sccs
    https://www.bankier.pl/forum/wiadomosc-zapisana?post_id=68346977&obs=&emal=&st=1&thread_id=
    https://issuu.com/amirah123/stacks
    http://paste.jp/712589ad/
    https://bitbin.it/6G6qGBq6/raw/
    https://hackmd.io/1snlF_CtSmuqr9OxpdLJXg
    https://www.lomarfarms.com/blogs/news/people?comment=136548745521#comments
    https://wokwi.com/projects/410105200488938497

  • fewgfaweg

    https://ant-man-et-la-guepe-quantumania-streaming-films-gratuit.statuspage.io/
    https://voir-film-ant-man-et-la-guepe-quantumania-2023-gtyu.statuspage.io/
    https://voir-film-ant-man-et-la-guepe-quantumania-fr-gratuit.statuspage.io/
    https://voirantmanetlaguepequantumaniastreamingvf.statuspage.io/
    https://antmanetlaguepequantumaniafilmgratuit2023.statuspage.io/
    https://voirfilmarreteavectesmensongesgratuitfrancais.statuspage.io/
    https://voirfilmalabelleetoilestreamingvf.statuspage.io/
    https://voir-film-creed-iii-complet-2023.statuspage.io/
    https://thewhalefilmstreamingvf2023.statuspage.io/

    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/ernestdotson812/pelisplusgratis/-/issues/6
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/ernestdotson812/pelisplusgratis/-/issues/7
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/ernestdotson812/pelisplusgratis/-/issues/8
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/ernestdotson812/pelisplusgratis/-/issues/9
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/ernestdotson812/pelisplusgratis/-/issues/10
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/ernestdotson812/pelisplusgratis/-/issues/11

    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/ver-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-2023-pelicul/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/ver-cuevana3-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-2/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/pelisplus-ver-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/ver-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-to-the-swordsm/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-to-the-swordsm/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/ver-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-to-the-sword/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/pelisplus-ver-m3gan-hd-2023-en-pelicula-compl/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/ver-cuevana-m3gan-2023-pelicula-completa-onlin/
    https://vergratiscastellano4kespanol.gitbook.io/pelisplus-verla-ballena-the-whale-online-espanol/

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268782059645304838
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268778814335877128
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268776913896996865
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268773349493571585
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268771237065916416

  • adelivogu

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268542259004702721
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268543762394251264
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268546004635353094
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268548722511052804
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268551809652752385
    https://cinerepelisverantman3marvel.statuspage.io/
    https://cinerepelisantmanylaavispaquantumania.statuspage.io/
    https://hdantmanylaavispaquantumaniaverespanol2023subgratis.statuspage.io/
    https://thefirstslamdunkcuevanacineanime.statuspage.io/
    https://cinemasanimedemonslayer3googledrive.statuspage.io/
    https://streamverdemonslayer3kimetsunoyaiba.statuspage.io/
    https://relojhdterrifierpelis.statuspage.io/
    https://veronlinejohnwick4pelicula.statuspage.io/
    https://versupermariobros2023peliscinemas.statuspage.io/
    https://repelishdwinniethepooh2023lineagratis.statuspage.io/
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/nuevo-pelisplushd
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/cinemasveronline-gratis-fullhd
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/3dcuevana-ant-manylaavispa2023
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/cirox-pelicula-completa
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/mega-premiere-ver-online
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/123peliculaultrahdantman3
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/eslapremierantman3pelis
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/peliskr-projectwolfhunting-hd
    https://boosty.to/123repelisgratis/posts/630fe654-e1be-40fd-8e2c-ee16260cf226
    https://boosty.to/123repelisgratis/posts/ac1e1b0d-45c5-4d75-8cc2-e9fa872e7720
    https://boosty.to/123repelisgratis/posts/dcd63613-f755-4aa0-b509-00999e803fc4
    https://boosty.to/123repelisgratis/posts/b711c5c0-632c-4833-9cd2-87ed139f605e
    https://boosty.to/123repelisgratis/posts/420ddc49-a139-4e0b-b9ff-1267806f15a4
    https://boosty.to/123repelisgratis/posts/6b4df058-7cc8-413f-9d0c-e1cb195c690b
    https://soundcloud.com/tania-everett/ver-gratis-super-mario-bros-la-pelicula-2023-animacion-nuevo-hdespanol-latino-y-chile
    https://soundcloud.com/tania-everett/cine71-ver-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol
    https://soundcloud.com/tania-everett/nuevover-eant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-2023-espsub-pelicula
    https://soundcloud.com/tania-everett/nuevo4k-cinemas-ver-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-peliculas-online-hd-mega-torrent
    https://soundcloud.com/tania-everett/cinemax-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-to-the-swordsmith-village-2023anime-peliculas
    https://soundcloud.com/tania-everett/pelis-mejores-john-wick-4accion-pelicula-ver-online-mp4-espanol
    https://soundcloud.com/tania-everett/cuevana-1080pthe-first-slam-dunk-2023-pelicula-oficial-hd-en-espanol-streaming-gratis-4k

  • fewgfaweg

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268551879487913985
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268549903769665541
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268548117801205764
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268546813615931393
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268544590408318980

    https://ver-gratis-terrifier-2-pelisplus-4k.statuspage.io/
    https://ver-gratis-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-2023-gtf.statuspage.io/
    https://ver-gratis-super-mario-bros-la-pelicula-completa-2023-gtf.statuspage.io/
    https://pelisplus-4k-john-wick-4-repelis-cine.statuspage.io/
    https://gratis-la-novia-de-america-2023-gtf.statuspage.io/
    https://irati-pelicula-2023-peliscine-4k.statuspage.io/
    https://cuevana3ver-creed-iii-pelicula-completa-2023-tyu.statuspage.io/
    https://cuevana3-ver-detective-knight-ultima-mision-2023-yyu.statuspage.io/
    https://cuevana3-ver-canta-con-una-chispa-de-armonia-2023-gtf.statuspage.io/

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268608437915746311
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268607733222604803
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268607498685251585
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268606281431384070
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1268605941726052352

    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2453358
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2453359
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2453361
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2453363
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2453365
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2453367
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2453370

  • awetgebtdr

    https://vk.com/mopieboxoffice-films-voir-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-francais-gr https://vk.com/movpcinemark-voir-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-streaming-vf-complet-e
    https://vk.com/simonamarkova-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania https://vk.com/styllercinemark-voir-ant-man-et-la-guepe-quantumania-streaming-vostfr
    https://voir-ant-man-et-la-guepe-streaming-vf-2023.statuspage.io/
    https://voirantmanetlaguepequantumaniafilmcompletsousfr.statuspage.io/
    https://ant-man-and-the-wasp-filmcompletenfrancais.statuspage.io/
    https://vk.com/twblurray-demonslayerkimetsunoyaibatotheswordsmithvillage-2023hd https://www.runtheworld.today/app/invitation/52443 https://www.runtheworld.today/app/invitation/52444 https://vk.com/chinahade-1080p-tw
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/the-wandering-earth-2-film-hd
    https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/husnariani/profile
    https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/sirenduyung/profile
    https://www.scoop.it/topic/the-history-of-po-ans-the-fruit-of-the-tenacity-of-a-successful-hawker-in-managing-a-transportation-business

  • packersfan0342

    https://pelisplus-ver-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quant.statuspage.io/
    https://antman3verclemex.statuspage.io/
    https://cinemaxantman3.statuspage.io/
    https://vergratis-hd-antman-3-marvel.statuspage.io/
    https://terrifier2megapelisplus.statuspage.io/
    https://demonslayer2023mega4kultrahd-pelisplus.statuspage.io/
    https://4kanimejpfilmdemonslayer2023.statuspage.io/
    https://antman3nuevohdpelis.statuspage.io/
    https://peliskr-project-wolf-hunting-jdk.statuspage.io/
    https://kinopelis-espana-johnwick-4.statuspage.io/
    https://filmantman3vfonline.statuspage.io/
    https://antman3cinemafrench.statuspage.io/
    https://vfvoiranimedemonslayerfilmhdversionfrancaise.statuspage.io/
    https://hd-marvelfilm-ant-man3-2023.statuspage.io/
    https://projectwolfhuntingstreamingvfvostfr.statuspage.io/
    https://megavostfr4kfilmantman3french.statuspage.io/
    https://johwwick4vfstream.statuspage.io/
    https://hdfilmkinoanschauenantman2023marvel.statuspage.io/
    https://streamcloudkinoxantman2023film.statuspage.io/
    https://mcufilmantman3streamdeutschkino4k.statuspage.io/
    https://perfectaddictionimkinofilmonline.statuspage.io/
    https://kinoxjetztdemonslayer3filmanimezhy.statuspage.io/
    https://creed3imkinofilmdeutsch.statuspage.io/
    https://mcuantmanandthewaspquantumaniafilmdeutsch.statuspage.io/
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/hdantman3-play-cines-espana
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/ver-antman3-peliculaonline
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/hd4k-pelis-ant-man-3marvels
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/verstreamantman32023
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/demonslayer3cuevanaprime
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/hdcineterrifier2online
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/elpiloto4kpremierepelis
    https://www.flowcode.com/page/4k-pelis-projetwolfhunting
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/riveramike447/pelispop/-/issues/1
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/riveramike447/pelispop/-/issues/2
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/riveramike447/pelispop/-/issues/3
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/riveramike447/pelispop/-/issues/4
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/riveramike447/pelispop/-/issues/5
    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/riveramike447/pelispop/-/issues/6
    https://www.provenexpert.com/ver-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-en-linea-peliculas-hd-2023/
    https://www.provenexpert.com/cuevana4k-ver-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-pelicula-completa-latino-2023-gratis-en-linea/
    https://www.provenexpert.com/hd-1080p-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-to-the-swordsmith-village-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-latino-mega-videos-linea/
    https://www.provenexpert.com/ver-repelishd-ant-man-y-la-avispa-quantumania-pelicula-completa-4k-quality/
    https://www.provenexpert.com/ver-terrifier-2-terror-pelicula-2023-hd-gratis/
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2452884
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2452889
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2452904
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2452909
    https://writer.dek-d.com/dek-d/writer/view.php?id=2452910
    https://gitlab.gnome.org/dewedeth/0x-api-starter-guide-code/-/issues/447
    https://gitlab.gnome.org/dewedeth/0x-api-starter-guide-code/-/issues/449
    https://gitlab.gnome.org/dewedeth/0x-api-starter-guide-code/-/issues/451
    https://gitlab.gnome.org/dewedeth/0x-api-starter-guide-code/-/issues/455


Leave a comment