The coral seas have been beautiful, diverse ecosystems for
hundreds of years, inspiring tourism and awe, but they are in danger. Over the
last thirty years the production of coral in our oceans has steadily decreased,
and due to warming seas and increased carbon emissions these beautiful habitats
may no longer exist. Unable to survive the pollution created mostly by human
development, coral reefs are bleaching and eroding away, leaving over half a
billion people without coral reefs, which provide jobs, food, and protection. There
are a few ways to limit or halt the continuation of coral deterioration. One is
to enact Clean Air laws around the world and particularly near coastal areas so that carbon emissions
absorbed by the ocean from the atmosphere are reduced. Unfortunately, the
oceans and expanses of coral are so vast it would take a dramatic change in human
lifestyle to reduce the CO2 pollutions. There is also an idea to
control the ocean traffic, water conditions, human activities, and ecosystem in
key areas of coral reefs, (similar to a nature preserve or national park) but
governments would have to take into account the people who depend in some way
on the products of coral reefs, not to mention the costs of controlling such a
specific ocean area. I think that the problem of eroding coral in the seas
needs to be promoted and addressed on an international level, where change, no
matter what it may be, can be enacted and the effects of depleting coral reefs
can be fully realized.
a link to the article discussed in this blog can be found at:
Maddie this is very important! When I was in 4th grade I remember going to the Great Barrier Reef. It was spectacular, but knowing that the coral might disappear is very saddening. Coral is home to many different species of organisms and extinction could be a possibility if their home is being destroyed. Many other environmental problems are being affected by air pollution and now it has come to coral. I believe the government should create Air Laws to protect the coral from disappearing. It might be expensive but it is a very serious situation. Coral is a part of many ecosystems around the world and should be saved from disappearing.
ReplyDeleteI feel that too many people take advantage of what the ocean has to offer us. Coral reefs are home to many species of sea life. If we continue to let the reefs deteriorate then we are letting our own species deteriorate with them. Millions of people are provided jobs and food sources from the reefs. By letting the reefs fade away we are taking these wonderful things away from the people who need them. I agree that we need to make this issue aware to as many people as possible.
ReplyDeleteI have been snorkeling in coral reefs off the coast of Florida, and it is still to this day one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. The biodiversity is incredible. From microscopic organisms to massive marine turtles and sharks, the coral reefs aren't only crucial for humans but many marine animals as well. Not many people think about the consequences of polluting the ocean because it's harder to see how the ocean affects us. Coral has even recently been found to assist with fighting cancer, and that is a huge breakthrough. We don't want to destroy an already limited resource and ecosystem. I do agree Maddie, this is an issue that should be addressed internationally because there are coral reefs throughout the world that need protection, and not just the ones located in American waters.
ReplyDeleteMaddie, while I agree that coral reefs need to be preserved, I noticed a little bit of an error in your post. You said that in order to help slow down the warming of the seas, we need to enact more Clean Air laws to reduce the CO2 emissions. While Clean Air acts are essential for the health of humans, CO2 emissions can actually help keep the oceans cool. How is this possible, you ask? Well when CO2 is released into the atmosphere it actually creates thick, long lasting clouds which in a sense serve as natural sunglasses to the ocean because they can block the sun from hitting the water, thus keeping it cool. Coral IS an essential part of ecosystems, however, and we do need to find a way to preserve it.
ReplyDeleteThat’s very interesting and completely true Zach! I might not have been clear in my article about CO2 emissions and heating oceans, so let me explain -they are two separate issues faced by coral reefs. The CO2 affects coral in the respect that they can’t “live” with so much of it around, not because it necessarily warms the water. Coral pulls carbonate ions, an important material in shell production and essential to continued survival, out of the water, something that CO2 reduces. Therefore, the increased amount of CO2 in the water makes it all the more difficult for coral to attain the biological tools it needs for geochemical growth. Also, CO2 throws off the pH balance in the water, a crucial ecological aspect that determines much of the physical behavior of coral, a phenomenon referred to as “ocean acidification”. In regards to warming oceans, the gradual climate change in oceans around the world has begun to alter underwater ecosystems, coral reefs included. Though CO2 does play a part in this warming/cooling effect as you noted, heated waters are mostly due to other factors like greenhouse gasses– primarily water vapor, and including much smaller amounts of methane and nitrous oxide – acting as a thermal blanket for the Earth, solar flares, natural warming of the Earth, and human activity. I understand why your confusion could have been present in my article but hopefully that clears it up a bit.
DeleteP.S. I never said that “in order to help slow down the warming of the seas, we need to enact more Clean Air laws to reduce the CO2 emissions”. I stated that to reduce the pollution of CO2 emissions absorbed by the ocean, Clean Air laws are suggested as a solution (nothing to do with heating oceans, just CO2 pollution). Both ocean warming and CO2 emission are a problem faced by coral reefs; but they are not necessarily caused by one another.
Something must be done immediately to save the coral reefs! I am a huge fan of the beautiful reefs, and it is a scary thought of not having them in the environment anymore. I did some research on oysters, and the study dealt with the oysters not having the energy to build their own shells do to the carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions affects more than just coral reefs, it is also affecting many other species!
ReplyDeleteMaddie this is a very important issue and needs to be fixed right away. Coral reefs are very beautiful and should be protected. I remember seeing all the different colors and creatures in each reef. If the reefs were to be destroyed, all those memories would go away. I think that your idea is a great way to fix this problem. Eroding coral can be stopped if it is addressed to the government or even to an international level, then the problem can be fixed. Any change would help the reefs from eroding away and help save the ecosystem. I also like the idea of creating a “national” park for the coral reefs. This would keep the reef safe and help the environment from further erosion.
ReplyDelete