The New York Times presents "A World Without Coral Reefs". This is a compelling article that talks about the danger of our world losing coral reefs. Published on July 13th, 2012 by Rodger Bradbury. Since it is such a recent document the problem is still on the horizon. These beautiful beneficial areas are withering away because of humanity. This is a one way relationship; humans are taking and not giving back. It is time to give back and restore our coral reefs.
Coral Reefs are a very important to the oceans ecosystem. They are affected like many other bodies of water, by nutrients. When we were learning about nodules and legumes we talked about the nutrients and how its runoff goes into bodies of water, well this is happening to the coral reefs all around the world. The nutrients are causing long term damage that will permanently hurt them.
Without even knowing kids of the 21st century have already fallen in love with the thought of coral reefs. Nemo the popular fish from the movie Finding Nemo lived in a coral reef. Even before knowing about Coral Reefs I already loved them because the idea of a paradise underwater with bright colored fish and Nemo. Coral Reefs have touched all of us and have given us great memories, now its time for us to give back.
Coral Reefs aren't just beautiful areas for people to visit, but they mean something to there ecosystem. One reason coral reefs are so essential is because they are home to millions of organisms and every organism in that reef has a job, kind of like a community. Also many have symbiotic relationships, mostly all mutualism and commensalism. A Coral Reef is a very peaceful place, a safe haven for fish. Another reason we need them is because they are the great protectors of our beaches. Coral Reefs reduce erosion on beaches. Not only do they stop erosion, but they also protect the shores from storms. Also the coral reefs give jobs to the people near by and are a great tourist attraction. A clean reef will not only bring scientist, but also people looking for something different, something amazing. The reef brings jobs for the locals and boosts the local economy. Clean Coral Reefs are an all around plus for the people around them (they just have to watch their step).
Sadly the reefs are fading, all around the world they are getting killed off. Completely wiped out, the coral plants inn the reef had built up that reef some for hundreds, thousands and even for some millions of years. The main reasons for the destruction of these harmless places are coral bleaching, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and Anchors. Coral Bleaching is a very common killer of the reefs. Coral Bleaching occurs when the temperature rises in the ocean causing the coral's partner, the Algae (example of mutualistic relationship) to leave. This causes the coral plant to lose its color and its energy source. The coral turns white, hence why it is called coral bleaching. If the water temperature goes back down soon the reef can be saved but, if it isn't the organisms in the reef will die. Fossil Fuels are another killer of the coral reefs. The burning of fossil fuels causes a raised level of CO2 which is another way the temperatures are raised in the ocean. The over use of burning fossil fuels leads to coral bleaching. Another major factor is deforestation. When a forest is taken down, the topsoil becomes runoff and enters the ocean. When their is a coral reef near the top soil suffocates the coral and kills it. The final major killer of reefs is anchors. Although they don't seem to threatening they have a big impact on the reef. When boats lower their anchor into the reef, they are destroying what the coral built. The anchor drags to a stop and while it slows down the boat it is tearing up the coral plants and destroying years of work. This leaves the coral plants open to the strong ocean and other dangerous things.
Not only do the coral reefs benefit the marine animals, but they also benefit humanity. With the correct method of fishing, the coral reefs can provide large amounts of food. What I mean by correct method is not to over fish them or illegally fish in the coral reserves. Two ways people illegally fish is dynamite fishing and cyanide fishing. Dynamite fishing is when one throws a stick of dynamite into a reef and blowing up anything close to the stick including the reef itself. Cyanide fishing is when someone would poison the water in the reef killing not only the fish, but the plants also. Treating our reefs will be very beneficial.
Fun Fact- There are very interesting organisms in the Coral Reef, but two stood out to me. The Cleaner fish & the Parrot fish. I find the cleaner fish so interesting because it is the dentist/ doctor. What they do is they go around eating the scraps out of other fish’s teeth. The other fish don't attack them because they know that they are too small to be worth eating and they will help them. The next interesting fish is the Parrot fish. This is so interesting because the Parrot fish eats the seaweed off the reef and bite into the reef itself, which they swallow and return as sand. A parrot fish can make hundreds of pounds of sand a year.
It's time we change. If we start now we can keep the reefs and build on them for our grandchildren. If we don't start then they might not even be able to see such a beautiful sight. In order to do this we must reduce the damage we inflict on the reef and starting using the reef as an asset. The tide needs to turn, and if it doesn't, and we don't start helping the coral reefs then we will have no coral reefs at all.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/OceanFuturesSociety?feature=watch
I really liked this post. It was very informative on everything that harms and effects coral reefs. I did not know many of these things effect coral reefs like burning fossil fuels or bleaching. We always see boats in movies dropping anchors and we never take a second look at it. But now we will see that the coral is in fact being destroyed. You made great connections to movies and things that we learned in class as well. I agree with everything that you are saying and I hope that people do something soon to help these reefs.
ReplyDeleteNice post. It was really interesting, the different roles that a coral reef plays in an ocean's ecosystem. I have heard of different ways to restore and create new coral reefs, such as sinking concrete or other materials which the coral will subsequently grow on. Hopefully, with our continued efforts to replenish these ecosystems, there will not come a time when no coral reefs are left at all.
ReplyDeleteShores nice post! Most people view these coral reefs as beautiful, colorful areas of the ocean or like you said, a home to the beloved nemo! People often overlook the importance the coral reefs provide. It is home to millions of organisms, but I also learned from your blogpost that they reduce erosion on beaches and protects the shores from storms. The ongoing need to stop global warming projects in your blog on how when temperature rises in the ocean it causes coral bleaching! Also about burning fossil fuels adds CO2 to the water that will affect these reefs! Lastly, people are often greedy and only think of their benefits without even being concerned of potentially destroying these reefs! I agree that we take advantage of these beautiful organisms and that we need to start giving back for all the wonderful things the coral reefs provide for us! In conclusion, I really enjoyed reading your blog post an I learned a lot of new things!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article Ryan. While I already knew that coral reefs were dissapperaring but I never really knew why. I did not know about dynamite and cyanide fishing or the effects that they have on the reef environment. However, reef bleaching is a familiar topic that should be addressed and more research should be put into stop this environmental problem. Several things are being thought of to help restore these marlelous places on the earth. Such as what Nat said above that they think that sinking concrete blocks will provide more surface rea for the coral to grow. Also, the way you encorported our biochemestry unit and our ecosystem units was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI thought your post was very fascinating I didn’t know about how coral reefs being so threatened. I thought it was very interesting about how you connected the gloomy coral reefs we have now to the movie, Finding Nemo I thought everyone could relate to that. I think that we as humans should make a plan to protect and stop this from happening. I can relate to what you were saying because I wrote my post about overfishing in coral reefs so I can see how you are so passionate about this.
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