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Melissa Golembieski
December 4, 2013
Prof. Mooty
WRT 150 8am
The ocean is enormously vast and mysterious. Although our oceans cover nearly 71
percent of earth, over 95 percent of the oceans remain unexplored (“Oceans”). I have always had
an immense curiosity about the ocean; it fascinates me that something that is so enormous can
still leave us with thousands of questions. It is estimated by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization that an average of 2,000 new species of marine life are
discovered each year (“Ocean”). This uncontrollable attraction I have to the ocean has lead me to
realize that I want to have an active role in uncovering the mystery behind the ocean and be a
Marine Biologist. There is so much that I want to learn about the ocean and I decided that I
wanted to disclose the impact that the ocean has on our lives. I was already aware that the ocean
was important to our lives, but I wanted to narrow it down to a specific part of the ocean and
analyze the importance that it contains. I decided to research coral reefs. I desired to find the
answers to my questions: what makes coral reefs so important to our environment as well as
what impact do they have on earth? I also wanted to know why coral reefs are on such a steady
decline, and the impact that we as humans can have to help restore these ecosystems to their
delicate balance.
World Biomes states that our world’s coral reefs cover less than one percent of the
ocean’s surface, and yet our reefs are responsible for the survival of 25 percent of marine life.
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(“Coral”). It is estimated by The Coral Reef Alliance that over a million species are associated
with the coral reef ecosystems (“Why”). Coral reefs are vital for the survival of millions of
different species of marine life, and also offer several opportunities for human benefit, yet
anthropogenic causes on coral reefs are causing these places to diminish right before our eyes.
Former President Bill Clinton once said that:
“Pollution, overfishing, and overuse have put many of our unique reefs at risk. Their
disappearance would destroy the habitat of countless species. It would unravel the web of
marine life that holds the potential for new chemicals, new medicines, and unlocking new
mysteries. It would have a devastating effect on the coastal communities…communities
whose livelihood depends upon the reefs” (“Coral”, n.p.).
Coral reefs not only have a significant impact on marine life, they have proven to show
many benefits when it comes to humans as well. Florida Museum of Natural History explains
that the biodiversity that is inside reefs can hold the key to discovering new medicines that can
be used to cure multiple diseases, such as cancer and arthritis. (“Importance”). The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, asserts that many of our medicines that we
use today have natural origins that are derived from terrestrial organisms- organisms that are
found on earth. This realization has raised the question of the potential benefits that could be
used from the defensive chemicals given off by slow moving organisms such as sponges, found
in coral reefs. History has already proven the benefits that organisms in coral reefs can have
medically. Tonics that were once derived from seahorse extract in the early 14th century are still
in great demand today. Coral reefs continue to surprise scientists with the new medical
possibilities that can be obtained from these organisms. NOAA affirms some of the most modern
medicines include an anticancer agent Ara-C was derived in the Caribbean from sponges found
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in the reefs. In addition, porous limestone skeletons from corals has been tested as potential bone
graphs in humans. The coral acts as a support when it is set into a break, as the break heals the
coral implant eventually disappears as it is absorbed by the new bone growth. It is stated by
NOAA that the rate of rejection of the limestone skeleton bone graph is much lower than
artificial graphing (“Medicine”).
Surprisingly, coral reefs are also responsible for the protection of our beaches and shore
lines. Coral reefs that are in a healthy, stable condition are full of rough exteriors that are able to
shield storms and large waves, which in turn protects lives and property that could be
devastatingly destroyed by the power of these large waves. As time goes on, outside forces
threaten to damage and diminish the reefs, causing less protection for the coastlines resulting in
flooding and damage that could cost up to thousands of dollars. NOAA states that up to ninety
percent of energy from wind motorized waves are absorbed by reefs (“How”).
Apart from helping to heal humans, as well as protect them, coral reefs are also
responsible for providing many humans with a living. According to the Coral Reef Alliance,
more than a billion dollars and millions of jobs have been made possible because of coral reefs.
It is estimated that coral reefs alone are responsible for 375 billion dollars a year in economic
goods and ecosystem services. A large part of this income comes from tourism. People will pay a
lot to go snorkeling and exploring in exotic waters to view the vibrant reefs and the wildlife that
inhabit them (“why”). Apart from tourism, fisheries from coral reefs also greatly contribute to
seaside economies. NOAA states that the food that is produced from coral reefs is a significant
source of food for over a billion people worldwide, however the majority of the people who
consume the fish live far from the reefs from where they are captured. In addition to fishing for
food, many coastline cities rely on fishing for aquarium purposes. A large income is produced
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from exotic fishes that are fished and sold to be the delicate centerpieces for many luxury salt
water aquariums (“Importance”).
Coral reefs are complex ecosystems that rely on considerable factors in order to grow and
thrive successfully. Ocean life explains that like many environmental situations outside factors
can contribute to the demise of the delicate balance needed to sustain it. Throughout the years
anthropogenic causes- human caused problems- have had a damaging effect on the delicate
balance of coral reefs throughout the world. It is estimated that ten percent of the world’s coral
reefs are completely destroyed, with no hope in rebuilding themselves (“Coral”). Coral reefs
thrive in the sunlight; they are in strategically positioned locations in the ocean to absorb the
sunlight. Small plant organisms such as phytoplankton absorb sunlight and through
photosynthesis light energy is converted into chemical energy. Through this process chemical
energy is distributed and a food chain begins. The sunlight has such an immense impact the
survival or coral reefs, and if the main source of energy is taken away from a system, it will
slowly but surely unravel and collapse (“Coral”). Dr. Pamela Muller discusses the unfortunate
impact that humans have on the current future of coral reefs. Yard waste, harmful pesticides and
fertilizers from cities by the seaside are washed down into the ocean during storms. The waste
that is dumped into the water providing less sunlight for the reefs, causing the water to be both
unhealthy and unclear for the corals. These pesticides and soils can smother the corals, making
them more susceptible to disease. In an average environment coral reefs are already exposed to
physical damage through erosion, hurricanes and sea storms, and the corals are typically able to
heal and rebuild themselves- that is if the water is clear and healthy (Muller). The University of
Maryland discusses how coral reefs are also very sensitive to temperature change; something as
small as a degree change in temperature can cause hurt to the corals. If temperatures stay too
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high for too long, the zooxanthellae, which is the nutrients that corals depend on for food and are
also responsible for giving corals their color- will leave their tissue. Without zooxanthellae corals
will become “bleached”, causing the coral to turn white become brittle and more susceptible to
disease (“How”). One of the last ways that humans are causing the decline of coral reefs is the
use of overfishing. As discussed earlier by the NOAA, humans depend heavily on income from
reefs through fishing for both food and aquariums, however the fishing has been taken
overboard. Sometimes fisherman use extremes to get their needs, such as dynamite. This
dynamite not only destroys the endangered reefs but causes all of the organisms that are part of
the food chain the reefs provide to be at a loss of food. Slowly, but steadily organisms can spiral
out of control (“Coral”).
Like any major problems, there are usually ways to help ease the problem. Although reefs
are already on the decline, the Coral Reef Alliance suggests a few things that humans can do in
order to help reduce the damage that they will inevitably suffer. For those who live near
shorelines, it is important to use organic fertilizers, limit water use, and dispose of waste
properly. Doing so will not only keep the environment clean, but it will limit the amount of
damage that is done to reefs when rain causes the waste to run off into the reefs. For those who
may not live near the ocean, getting involved in organizations that are geared toward preserving
and protecting coral reefs is another useful way to make a difference. Most importantly,
spreading the word about the destruction of reefs can make a huge difference in the protection of
coral reefs. It’s easy to say that knowledge is power, however it is true. When you give someone
the tool of knowledge, wonders can happen and amazing changes can be made (“why”).
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Works cited
“Coral Reef”. World Biomes. Kids Do Ecology. n.d. web. November 4 2013
“Coral Reef Conservation and Deconstruction”. Ocean World. n.p. n.d. web. November 6 2013
“Coral Reefs”. Ocean World. n.p. n.d. web. November 5 2013
“Coral Reefs”. Oracle Think Quest. Education Foundation. n.d. web. November 6 2013
“Coral Reefs- an important part of our Future”. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. United States Department of Commerce. n.d. web. November 3 2013.
“How do Coral Reefs protect lives and property?” National Ocean and Atmospheric
Administration. United States Department of Commerce. n.d. web. November 7 2013
“How Does Climate Change Effect Coral Reefs?” Teach Ocean Science. University of
Maryland. n.d. web. November 6 2013
“Importance of Coral Reefs”. Ichthyology. Florida Museum of Natural History. N.d. web.
November 5 2013
“Importance of Coral Reefs”. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. United States
Department of Commerce. n.d. web. November 6 2013
“Medicine”. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. United States Department of
Commerce. n.d. web. November 4 2013
Muller, Pamela. “Why are Coral Reefs Important?” Project Oceanography. Coral Reefs IV.
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October 3 1997. Web. November 3 2013
“Ocean Life: the marine age of discovery”. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Administration. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Administration.
November 15 2011. Web. November 4 2013.
“Oceans”. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. United States Department of
Commerce. n.d. web. November 3 2013.
“Why Care About Coral Reefs?” Coral Reef Alliance. n.p. n.d. web. November 4 2013