Why the World Needs Coral Reefs

Photograph courtesy of "Help Protect Coral Reefs"

Being educated justifies a persons actions, and decisions. Over time that education turns into knowledge, which becomes reality. Building up ones intelligence helps people realize right from wrong. Coral reefs are incredibly important to our oceans, people’s well-being, and many more.

What people may not know is the fact that “coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems such as seagrasses and mangroves are widely recognized to provide protection against the devastating effects of strong waves associated with tsunamis and storms” (2). With the destructions that tsunamis and other storms can cause, coral reefs are essentially helping us. Knowing that coral reefs are valuable to the environment and to humans, should navigate peoples choices into wanting to pollute less. Additional information, “is that reefs provide protection to the coast from strong waves and that a rising sea level will diminish this protective function unless growth of the corals are ensured so that reef growth can catch up with increasing sea level” (2). Having this understanding that sea level rise has a direct impact in relation to the coral reefs shows how vital coral reefs are to our world. Going through tsunamis, or other terrible storms will hopefully diminish in the future if people take action to create a better ocean environment for the coral reefs.

Photograph courtesy of "Misubishi Coporation"

Creating that better environment consists of the following, “minimizing activities such as illegal and destructive blast and poison fishing methods, pollution and siltation, is crucial to minimize the impacts of high-energy waves that may increase with climate change” (2). With this information being presented to the public the reefs will have a better chance of blossoming. Spreading this awareness to a larger spectrum of people will hopefully, draw them closer to an end result in constructive change. Therefore, it is crucial to know the purpose of coral reefs, because they can ultimately save lives. Coral reefs are a strong benefactor to how oceans, fish life, people, and storms can function, and destroying that beautiful naturalistic setting defeats their whole purpose. “Such information is important, as coral reef fish assemblages are the most species dense vertebrate communities on earth, contributing critical ecosystem functions and providing crucial ecosystem services to human societies in tropical countries” (1). This statement reflects how imperative it is to have coral reefs along with their habitats. Coral reefs have a wide array of purposes that only benefit the world. There is nothing negative about coral reefs, except the fact that bleaching is occurring too much resulting in death.

Why the World Needs Coral Reefs

Overall, the coral reef population and the fish present within those communities, shape our world into something better. Knowing how to regulate sea levels will ultimately keep the coral reefs do their job of guarding the human population from unsettling storms.

The educational aspect of coral reefs is not as adamant as other types of basic learning. If individuals want to focus on this type of subject matter, doing independent research would be more helpful. This can be the reason why many people do not have the accurate familiarity within this area of study in the first place. Learning about coral reefs is not on the higher end of social hierarchy in today’s world. By making a change and showing people how important and essential it is to have coral reefs, maybe it will rise up in becoming something society yearns for. “Nonetheless, to maintain reef growth, it is imperative to manage coral reef ecosystems sustainably and to eliminate the stressors that are within human control” (2). Once that human control becomes second nature to society, services and encouragements will be met. Then our oceans would be able to go back to their healthy roles that they once endured before.

Is'nt everything better in color? Help make a change.

Photograph courtesy of "Coral Bleaching may be Caused by Viruses"

Knowing that one is making a change and projecting his or her beliefs into something they are passionate about only shows the strength and determination one has to adjust our world. With the learning experience that person achieves from his or her actions, hopefully unity will be met in the long run, because making a difference only shows how people can accomplish something that is greatly appreciated. Therefore, making it clear that coral reefs are something people need in the world in order thrive should be the first step into making the world healthier.

Photograph courtesy of Flickr

"Coral Bleaching Maybe Caused by Viruses." Leonardos Reef. N.p., 2 Aug. 2012. Web.

"Global Coral Reef Conservation Project." Mitsubishi Corporation. Mitsubishi Corporation, 2013. Web.

1. Graham, Nicholas A., Tim R. McClanahan, M. Aaran MacNeil, and Shaun K. Wilson. "Climate Warming, Marine Protected Areas and the Ocean-Scale Integrity of Coral Reef Ecosystems." Climate Warming, Marine Protected Areas and the Ocean-Scale Integrity of Coral Reef Ecosystems. 3.8 (2008): n. pag. Web of Science. Web.

"Help Protect Coral Reefs." Help Protect Coral Reefs. United Nations Foundation, n.d. Web.

"Papua New Guinean Girl Urging Coral Reef Protection." Flickr. Yahoo!, 24 Feb. 2012. Web.

2. Villanoy, Cesar, Laura David, Olivia Cabrera, Michael Atrigenio, Fernando Siringan, Porfirio Alino, and Maya Villaluz. "Coral Reef Ecosystems Protect Shore from High-Energy Waves Under Climate Change Scenarios." Climate Change (2012): n. pag. Web of Science. Web.

"'We Have to Make Sure We Keep Reefs Healthy'" NBCNews.com. N.p., 20 June 2012. Web.

Pollution

Photograph courtesy of "Water Pollution"

The ocean seems to be a cesspool for a large amount of materials. Those materials are unfortunately pollutants. Majority of our sewage system, and large quantities of oil have regrettably ended up in our oceans. Those toxins and chemicals have severe and fatal affects on the fish population and human population. The ocean seems to be viewed as a large trashcan that can withstand any type of contaminant, but our oceans are a significant resource for the animal and human population as a whole. The understanding of that statement does not seem to resonate with many people. If people keep up with their lackluster habits by polluting, our oceans will be a worthless and unimportant resource that was once something of great importance.

Photograph courtesy of "Reef Rescue-Coral Reef Blog"

The affect sewage has on its surroundings is certainly frightening. “Aside from the health risks to humans, sewage pollution also threatens community structure, biodiversity, and services provided by marine ecosystems, and it is regarded as the most significant local factor threatening coral reefs worldwide” (2). Knowing that sewage waste is a vigorous contributor to health issues within people only embellishes the detrimental consequences to the biodiversity that lives within the oceans altogether. This then further reflects on the idea that coral reefs are diminishing and that sewage is creating a fundamental problem for the ocean and its inhabitants in its entirety. The world needs the oceans because the ocean is a material that people and animals cannot thrive without. Understanding that “reefs are particularly sensitive to changes in nutrient concentrations” (2) should give people the determination to want to make a difference because if not, then the entire ocean world will be terminated. People have grown accustomed to certain nutrients that are beneficial to their bodies, and coral reefs have the same exact matters. Coral reefs are alive, just like humans. So why would anyone want to see the coral reefs suffer?

Photograph courtesy of "Recycled Water Signs"

Even though, this is focused around one place in the world, oceans have a current which can give anything in the ocean water a reason for traveling, and spreading. Therefore, sewage dumping has been a critical action, taking place in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Eventually consequences will arise that will not want to be met by the local citizens. Meaning “without healthy marine ecosystems, Zanzibar will suffer economic loss due to decreases in tourism and fisheries productivity; decreased use of the ocean for cultural activities; and an increase in health costs associated with insufficient sanitation” (2). Once the local population in Stone Town understands that these consequences will, most definitely, come up because of their actions maybe they will make a change and want to restore their beautiful oceans once and for all. However, it is stated that “in Stone Town, Zanzibar, sewage treatment is minimal, with a biological oxygen demand reduction to 60% and no removal of bacteria or nutrients” (2). With this being adamant, it may be a harder issue to overcome, but with the correct knowledge and drive, hopefully a positive modification can be made.

Photograph courtesy of "Deepwater Horizon: The BP Oil Catastrope"

Another factor that creates critical disadvantages for coral reefs, and reef life is oil pollution. The BP oil spill was one of the most catastrophic problems that the ocean, marine life, and people had to face. “It is estimated that over 1.5 million barrels of oil are extracted each day from offshore oil platforms in the Gulf [of Mexico], many of which are located within close proximity to the coastline” (1). With the fact of the oil being taken from areas that are close to shorelines reflects that it can be dangerous because mistakes are bound to happen. The oil drillers are the people who will be jeopardized if a problem were to arise. Additionally, they could also be labeled in the long run for their misjudged actions. Drilling so close to the ocean is bound to cause a disaster. Which is what happened in the Gulf of Mexico leading to the tragic spill. Some devastating facts that accentuate how lethal oil is to the reef communities are the following, “a major percentage of global offshore oil traffic occurs in close proximity to coral reef ecosystems. The sensitivity of many coral species to environmental perturbation, as well as the current decline in reef cover worldwide has prompted a considerable amount of research into the effects of oil pollution on coral reef communities. Studies have shown that exposure of adult coral colonies to crude oil can result in a range of effects including inhibited growth rate, reduced reproductive activity, and tissue loss” (1). Oil, as one can see here, is incredibly dangerous to ocean life. The oil ultimately takes over the coral community and restricts the coral population from flourishing in their natural habitat, because the oil is incredibly overpowering.

Photograph courtesy of "Gulf Oil Spill"

Just by learning how serious dumping into the oceans sewage and oil can be, reflects the poison that is ultimately taking over lives of the beautiful creatures. Why would someone purposely use the ocean as his or her trashcan? Creatures live there, and have homes. People need to think of another perspective and not only themselves, because making it easier for a person may not make it easier for organisms. Understand how pollution is a mortal concern that organisms in the sea have to face on a daily basis, because if the scenario were switched things might be handled differently.

Clingan, Jim. "Deepwater Horizon: The BP Oil Catastrophe." EGEE 120. N.p., 22 Mar. 2013. Web.

Divine, Mary. "Water Pollution." WATER POLLUTION - LiveBinder. N.p., 2006. Web.

1. Goodbody-Gringley, Gretchen, Dana L. Wetzel, Daniel Gillion, Erin Pulster, Allison Miller, and Kim B. Richie. "Toxicity of Deepwater Horizon Source Oil and the Chemical Dispersant, Corexit® 9500, to Coral Larvae." (2013): n. pag. Web of Science. Web.

"Gulf Oil Spill." Ocean Portal. N.p., 2013. Web.

2. Moynihan, Molly A., David M. Baker, and Aviti J. Mmochi. "Isotopic and Microbial Indicators of Sewage Pollution from Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania." Marine Pollution Bulletin 64.7 (2012): 1348-355. Web of Science. Web.

"Recycled Water Signs." Water Signs. N.p., 2013. Web.

"Reef Rescue- Coral Reef Blog." Reef Rescue Coral Reef Blog. N.p., 2011. Web.