Shannon Sloan
Natural Hazards 1700
Coral Reefs
The world of the coral reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. The sheer
number of life forms on the reef rivals even that of the tropical rain forests. Built over thousands
of years by small organisms called “polyps” (Sandrine Silhol), the reefs are virtual havens for
countless forms of marine life. With its secret colonies, bright colors, unique structures and ever
changing patterns, it is a wonder to behold.
Slipping down beneath the sea to view the reefs
as well as the creatures that are unique to the
reefs themselves is a limited luxury. While it is
a world with never-ending exciting discoveries,
such as the Heterconger, a new species of the
garden eel, the reef’s environment is a fragile
world facing the brink of destruction. Today,
Figure 1: Clown Fish on The Great Barrier Reef (Photo
Courtesy of Leonard Low)
society’s ignorance and carelessness is
beginning to have a noticeable impact on the world’s coral reefs. From the Florida Keys to the
Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the damage has begun at quite an alarming rate. To reverse the
effects of such damage, it’s apparent that we as a society must take action quickly before these
beautiful entities disappear altogether.
Mass Destruction
After being a highly successful life form for 250 million years, disruptions in the
biological and communication systems of coral reefs have been found to be the underlying cause
of coral bleaching and collapse of reef ecosystems around the world (Galaxy).
Due to changes in ocean temperature,
pollution, overfishing, sedimentation,
acidification, oxidative stress and
disease, and the synergistic effect of
some of these problems may destroy
reefs even when one cause by itself
would not (Galaxy). In a recent study
done by the Global Coral Reef
Figure 2: Dynamite not only kills the fish that live in the reef, but
the reef as well. (Photo courtesy Thomas Heeger: Philippines)
Monitoring Network, destruction or
threats of coral reefs have increased
from 59 percent to a drastic 70 percent since the last study in 2002 (Heilprin). Only about 30
percent of the world’s coral reefs are healthy, down from 41 percent two years, most noted was
the fact that the Caribbean has lost 80 to 98 percent of its elkhorn and staghorn coral, two of the
region's most common species, the scientists said, suggesting the United States should look at
listing them as endangered species (Heilprin).
John Turner, assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and
scientific affairs, called the report "a wake-up call" (Heilprin).
Virginia Weis, a professor of zoology at Oregon State University said, "We've known for
some time the general functioning of corals and the problems they are facing from climate
change," "But until just recently, much less has been known about their fundamental biology,
genome structure and internal communication. Only when we really understand how their
physiology works will we know if they can adapt to climate changes, or ways that we might
help."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KjxVMqDep0&feature=related
Progress
Coral reefs are among the oldest and most diverse life forms, they provide food and
shelter to fish and protect shores from erosion, they help drive the food chains and economies of
many on the planet (Heilprin) and yet they are the least understood. As part of the effort to
protect our Nation’s extensive reefs, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are working to
better understand the processes that affect the health of these ecologically and economically
important ecosystems (Michael E. Field).
“Scientists worldwide are working to understand the impacts of natural processes and
human activities on the health and sustainability of coral reefs. In the United States, this effort is
being coordinated by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. As part of the task force, the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) is contributing to the effort to understand the biological and
geological controls that affect our Nation’s coral reefs. USGS coral reef research focuses on
detailed mapping of reefs, the development of monitoring techniques, and studying reefs’
geologic growth and development and how they are affected by sedimentary and hydrologic
processes, water quality, and fishing. These efforts will help provide information that is essential
if coral reefs are to be saved (Michael E. Field).”
Reflection
The world of the coral reefs is home to many colorful diverse creatures with its hidden
alcoves of wonders, it itself is alive as well. While I in my lifetime may not get a chance to see to
adventure under the sea to view this underwater fairytale, it is something that I wish for future
generations of my family to see.
The future is now for us in helping to save these beautiful entities. They are currently
being destroyed due to overfishing, pollution and an increasing rise in ocean temperature among
other things. While I appreciate warm temperatures, it’s apparent that creatures on our earth do
not. In my naiveté, I hadn’t thought hard about my carbon footprint. While I casually recycle, it
is something that I will endeavor to do more of in the future.
While my little bit of recycling may not help a lot, it will help some. I will also appreciate
the beauty of the land around me more often as I it may not be there in the future. In researching
for a subject it became apparent that if we as a society don’t stand up and take note of the
damage we are inflicting on the land around us, we won’t just lose the coral reefs but many
other species as well.
Works Cited
Galaxy, The Daily. EcoAlert: Why are the World's Coral Reefs Dying? 07 October 2011.
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2011/10/ecoalert-why-are-the-worlds-coral-reefsdying.html. 20 October 2012.
Heilprin, John. Coral Reef Damage Rising Worldwide. 2004 12 December.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1207-07.htm. 20 October 2012.
Low, Leonard. File:Clownfish, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia.jpg. 01 January 2007.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clownfish,_Great_Barrier_Reef,_Cairns,_Australia.jpg.
22 October 2012.
Michael E. Field, Susan A. Cochran, and Kevin R. Evans. U.S. Coral Reefs—Imperiled National Treasures.
30 October 2008. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/fs025-02/. 22 October 2012.
Price, Dave. Coral Reef Alert For Earth Day. 22 April 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KjxVMqDep0&feature=related. 22 October 2010.
Sandrine Silhol, Gaelle Guerive. Extradordinary Endangered Animals. New York: Abrams Books, 2011.
World, Ocean. CORAL REEF DESTRUCTION and CONSERVATION. 2004.
http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral5.htm. 22 October 2012.