Coral reefs are caused by the changing climates. These reefs affect the fish population as well as the ocean ecosystem. The damaged coral cannot provide a stable ecosystem for the ocean. This damaged coral can cause shifts in the fish ecosystems and can also bring down tourism dollars. The damaged reefs can result in the decrease of fish which in turn results in the decline of fish captures. Coral reefs can also attest to pharmaceutical medicines like medicines for heart disease and cancer, but the damaged coral cannot give any benefit to these pharmaceutical companies.
The study and the issue
directly relate to the course because it deals with the coral and how temperature
change and pollution can directly affect their genetics. Coral bleaching brings
a handful of ecological impacts and related mortality. Some of these
issues are: Bleached corals are likely to have reduced growth rates,
decreased reproductive capacity, increased susceptibility to diseases and
elevated mortality rates. Changes in coral community composition can occur when
more susceptible species are killed by bleaching events. Changes in coral
communities also affect the species that depend on them, such as the fish and
invertebrates that rely on live coral for food, shelter, or recruitment
habitat. Change in the abundance and composition of reef fish assemblages may
occur when corals die as a result of coral bleaching. Declines in genetic and
species diversity may occur when corals die as a result of bleaching.
These
are disastrous events to our oceans that need to have a constant observations.
We as the human race need to take more preventable steps with global warming. Preventative
steps such as cleaner fuels and less coal burning. The less toxic chemicals and
gases that we have going into our atmosphere the less greenhouse effect we’ll
have and lower global warming. I believe the coral reefs are one of our world’s
greatest treasures and we need to do what we can to protect and preserve them.
Not only the reef themselves but the species and lifeforms that depends on them
for shelter and food. Reducing overfishing and coastal pollution are two steps
we can take day to day, while the bigger issues such as greenhouse gases need
to be addressed by world leaders.
Article credits: http://www.reefresilience.org/coral-reefs/stressors/bleaching/bleaching-impacts/
Photo credits: Catlin Seaview Survey
Your post was interesting to read because I was unaware that they used coral reefs for things such as medicines for heart disease and cancer. I agree with your viewpoint that we need to take preventative steps towards saving these coral reefs. I agree that reducing overfishing and coastal pollution are steps that can and should be taken each day.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you addressed all of the different points about coral bleaching including the causes, effects and possible solutions to the problem at hand. It really is sad how these beautiful corals are taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really interesting topic! It's something I haven't heard much about, but seems like a very concerning issue. I had no idea that they use coral reefs for pharmaceutical medicines, and the fact that the bleaching damages the coral so much that it's no longer beneficial is awful. I'm very interested to see if any reforms or changes regarding greenhouse gas emissions and burning fossil fuels will come to be because of the issue of coral bleaching.
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