Impacts of humans on coral reefs
Coral reefs are found all around the world, but 91.9% of all coral reefs are present in the Indo-pacific region. The Atlantic and Carribean regions contain 7.6% of the coral reefs. Some notable locations: Florida reef tract, Mesoamerican barrier reef and The Great barrier reef. Coral reefs are typically present in tropical and sub-tropical waters, between 30 degree north and 30 degree south latitudes.
Natural characteristic's of coral reefs:
1) Warm and shallow waters:
Coral reefs are found n warm waters across the globe, typically between 20 - 28 degree celcius.
This temperature is crucial for the survival of coral polyps, which are the building blocks of the coral reefs. They live with algae which need water and sunlight, so shallow water allows more sunlight for photosynthesis.
2) Clear and sunny skies:
Coral reefs thrive in areas with sunlight, this is because polyps live with algae which photosynthesis.
So the sunlight providing helps the coral reefs to survive.
3) Clean water:
Water quality: Healthy coral reefs require clean and lcear water. Sediment runoff from land or pollution can smother coral polyps, reducing sunlight penetration and hindering their growth.
4) Currents: Gentle water currents are beneficial for coral reefs. Currents help deliver nutrients and oxygen to the reef and remove waste products.
Biodiversity:
Species:
1) Coral reefs have over 4000 different species of fish. Each species have developed unique adaptations to survive in the ecosystem, which contributes to the overall divdersity in the ecosystem.
2) Invertebrates: These usually crawl across the reefs, and they provie shelter for smaller organisms.
The smaller creatureslike crabs, shrimps, and lobsters play an important role in the ecosystem.
3)Reptiles: Even reptiles find shelter in coral reefs. Sea turtles eat algae and help balance the ecosystem by controlling the population of other grazer (algae and others).
Food chain:
1) Microscopic plants: These tiny organisms form the base of the food chain, capturing sunlight and converting it to energy through photosynthesis. This energy is used to fuel the entire ecosystem.
2)Herbivores: The fish that graze on algae transfer the energy from the microscopic organisms up the food chain. These grazers play a crucial role in maintaning the health of the coral by preventing algae from smothering them.
3) Predators: Largers creatures like sharks and groupers control the population of the smaller fish, whic helps maintain balance in the ecosystem.
4)Decomposers: Crabs and worms break down the dead organisms and organic matter, returning essential nutrients back into the ecosystem. Through this, the cycle is complete and is ensured to continue function.
Coral reefs are vibrant areas filled with life, but some human activities disrupt the balance in the ecosystems:
1) Pollution:
i) Water pollution: The plastic pollution injures coral, while chemicals like sunscreen and pesticides can be toxic to coral polyps which are the base of coral reefs. This disrupts the ecosystem and the food chain and poses a significant threat to the overall health and balance of the coral reef.
ii) Land based pollution: Runoff from agriculture, sewage discharge and industrial pollution waste pollutes the ocean in many ways. The sediments smother the coral, reducing sunlight penetration and hindering the reefs growth. Pollutants also disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Along with this, industrial pollution increases the chance of an acid rain. Acid rains have many negative effects, one being that they disrupt or destroy marine ecosystems. The acid rain acidifies the ocean, which hinders coral's abiloty to build their skeletons therefore weakening their structure.
2) Overfishing:
Destructive fishing equipment like bottom trawler's damage the delicate coral structures. These leave scars of the coral and hinder their recovery. Along with this, overharvesting of fish disrupt the food chain, since there are less herbivore to control the population of algae. This also allow coral-predators to increase in population, further damaging the reef.
3) Climate change: This has many effects on coral reefs, some important ones are rising sea temperaturees and ocean acidification
i) Rising sea levels: Warmer temperatures in the ocean cause coral stress, whic leads to coral bleaching. When stressed by high water temperatures, the coral expels the algae causing the coral to turn white and they lose their vibrant colors. Algae and coral living symbiotically, the algae provide energy through photsynthesis and in return the coral provide the algae with protection and a place to live. So when algae are expeled the coral is more suseptible to disease and eventually die.
ii) Ocean acidification: The oceans naturally absorbs CO2 released by human acitivites. the increased levels of CO2 acidify the ocean, through a process called ocean acidification. The acidity hinders the coral's ability to build coral polyps to build calcium carbonate skeletons which are the building blocks of coral reefs. This significantly wekanes the reef, making it moresuseptible to storms, waves and erosion.
4) Urbanization:
i) Pollution : Urbanization brings many new sewage systems, fertilizers and other pollutants and all of these flow into coastal waters. This triggers excess growth of algae blooms. These block sunlight and smother coral. Along with this new toxins are introduced which disrupt the reef's ecosystem.
ii)Habitat loss and damage: Coastal development for housing, industries and ports leads to diurect destruction of coral reefs. Increased usage of boats physically damage the reef and adds more sediment to the reefs, further harming the coral reef and disrupting the ecosystem. Along with pollution from boat, fishing will also become a problem which disrupts the ecosystem.
Comments
Post a Comment