Coral reef: an aquatic planet in danger
Are the effects of climate change real? The Arctic ice is melting and the sea level is rising. But it must not forget that the coral reefs are disappearing and therefore, they become dead ecosystems.
Atmospheric temperatures increase and therefore also on the waters of the sea. This increase is the main cause of the disappearance of coral reefs. This phenomenon, called bleaching, is caused by the weakening of the coral: the warming of the water makes the corals expel the algae that provide them with the nutrients they need. As a result, they lose their colors and what remain are skeletons of calcium.
Falls of the coral reefs have been recorded in all major tropical ocean basins from the Decade of 1980, with an average of approximately 30-50% reduction in the coverage of reefs around the world. To what extent this destruction of reefs affect?
The extinction of certain species of fish
To be a source of income, is million dollar loss for many countries
Produces marine imbalance because of this destruction
The video below Chasing Coral is a Netflix production that illustrates in a very visual way the importance of corals. A group of photographers and scientists embark on an adventure to document the disappearance of coral reefs.
Coral reefs: the great marine jewel
Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, that is to say, they serve as habitat of innumerable marine species. Moreover, the reefs are a great tourist attraction, since these incredible ecosystems are part of the most beautiful seascapes of the planet.
These structures help the formation of white sand beaches and tropical islands, avoid the erosion of beaches and protect people from strong swells in time of storms and hurricanes.
Reefs help to capture the carbon dioxide (CO2) of the atmosphere, and they fix it in their skeletons, also, thanks to its structure, they favor the generation of hundreds of marine organisms, and at the same time they are source of food, so that their existence is essential for the formation of food supply.
They are a source of recreation: they have an important value not only for the human species and tourism, but for thousands of marine organisms that have made it the perfect area to reproduce.
Last but not least, corals help the creation of natural chemical compounds for the treatment of diseases.
Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, that is to say, they serve as habitat of innumerable marine species. Moreover, the reefs are a great tourist attraction, since these incredible ecosystems are part of the most beautiful seascapes of the planet.
These structures help the formation of white sand beaches and tropical islands, avoid the erosion of beaches and protect people from strong swells in time of storms and hurricanes.
Reefs help to capture the carbon dioxide (CO2) of the atmosphere, and they fix it in their skeletons, also, thanks to its structure, they favor the generation of hundreds of marine organisms, and at the same time they are source of food, so that their existence is essential for the formation of food supply.
They are a source of recreation: they have an important value not only for the human species and tourism, but for thousands of marine organisms that have made it the perfect area to reproduce.
Last but not least, corals help the creation of natural chemical compounds for the treatment of diseases.
Scientists have observed that since 2014, coral bleaching has spread to the point of affecting 70% of the world's reefs. But The situation has been worsened since 2016: two thirds of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia have been affected, considered a World heritage site.
"The idea that the reefs will continue with us within 100 years is already pure fantasy" says oceanographer Kim Cobb. "The health status of the reefs will be severely compromised by mid-century, and we are already seeing the first symptoms". The Oceanographer explains that since 2040 coral bleaching will be frequent, thus affecting ecosystems. Moreover, those who survive this situation will be weak.
"As scientists are trying to repair the damage" Cobb says. "The damage began to be noticeable about ten years ago, but we were too naïve. We Didn't think we'd get to this point."
An example that clearly illustrates this fact is the natural reserve of Hanauma Bay, a region of Hawaii where 10% of the coral has died. Although coral reefs are found only in 1% of the oceans, there are many benefits, such as the protection of a quarter of marine species.
"The idea that the reefs will continue with us within 100 years is already pure fantasy" says oceanographer Kim Cobb. "The health status of the reefs will be severely compromised by mid-century, and we are already seeing the first symptoms". The Oceanographer explains that since 2040 coral bleaching will be frequent, thus affecting ecosystems. Moreover, those who survive this situation will be weak.
"As scientists are trying to repair the damage" Cobb says. "The damage began to be noticeable about ten years ago, but we were too naïve. We Didn't think we'd get to this point."
An example that clearly illustrates this fact is the natural reserve of Hanauma Bay, a region of Hawaii where 10% of the coral has died. Although coral reefs are found only in 1% of the oceans, there are many benefits, such as the protection of a quarter of marine species.
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These are spectacular places, I have visited many of them. Seeing the damage we're causing is breaking my heart","We've come to the point where acting is essential. It's Urgent.
Let's save the coral reefs
Despite the numerous bleaching of corals produced all over the world, there are scientists with hope in using coral genes that have survived high temperatures in order to create corals that resist the harmful effects of global warming. They intend to find the corals with the best genes for once multiplied, return them to the seas to continue reproducing.
"We are trying to find supercorales, who survived the worst heat stress of their lives" said Cantin, a researcher working at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences in Townsville, Australia.
It is not all lost, solutions must be looked. In certain places, specialists in this area are studying how to contribute to the improvement of this terrible situation:
Despite the numerous bleaching of corals produced all over the world, there are scientists with hope in using coral genes that have survived high temperatures in order to create corals that resist the harmful effects of global warming. They intend to find the corals with the best genes for once multiplied, return them to the seas to continue reproducing.
"We are trying to find supercorales, who survived the worst heat stress of their lives" said Cantin, a researcher working at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences in Townsville, Australia.
It is not all lost, solutions must be looked. In certain places, specialists in this area are studying how to contribute to the improvement of this terrible situation:
In Hawaii, they are studying the biology of corals that have been able to survive despite having suffered human irresponsibility, such as dumping wastewater.
In The Caribbean, countries are joining together to create a coral gene storage bank, in case all current corals are extinguished.
In Florida is being explored in different techniques that help the replacement of dead reefs.
The Great Barrier Reef, where there are 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusks, began to deteriorate in the 1990s by the heating of the water of the sea and the increase in its acidity by the increased presence of CO2 in the atmosphere.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world and is one of the symbols of Australia. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1981 but currently suffers environmental threats such as climate change, fishing, maritime transport.
Each year, more than two million tourists visit the Australian reef. It is estimated that this tourism generates income of 4,300 million dollars in an industry that employs 64,000 people.
Due to the rise of temperatures, this jewel of nature is disappearing due to the bleaching of corals.
According to scientists, the phenomenon was triggered after the Great Barrier Reef remained covered by hot water in the summer of 2016, which caused damage to the reef. Among the most affected species are the staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and the tabular coral.
In 2016, Australian scientists reported the death of around 35% of the coral of the Great Barrier. The study of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies confirms the weakening of the reef due to climate change, which has caused his death.
Each year, more than two million tourists visit the Australian reef. It is estimated that this tourism generates income of 4,300 million dollars in an industry that employs 64,000 people.
Due to the rise of temperatures, this jewel of nature is disappearing due to the bleaching of corals.
According to scientists, the phenomenon was triggered after the Great Barrier Reef remained covered by hot water in the summer of 2016, which caused damage to the reef. Among the most affected species are the staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and the tabular coral.
In 2016, Australian scientists reported the death of around 35% of the coral of the Great Barrier. The study of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies confirms the weakening of the reef due to climate change, which has caused his death.
"We have seen an average of 35% of the coral has died or is dying in 84 areas of Northern sections and center of the great barrier reef," said Terry Hughes, head of the ARC.
Climate change and global warming are a reality demonstrated scientifically. Put on your diving goggles and you will see reality beyond the aquatic surface.
