Natural Disasters and Natural Causes

Photograph courtesy of "Coral Bleaching in Tobago"

Natural disasters and causes are main factors in the mass events of coral bleaching. The process of “bleaching occurs when stress to the coral-algal symbiosis causes corals to expel their endosymbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and, if prolonged or particularly severe, may result in partial or complete coral mortality” (2). When it comes to natural disasters, there is nothing that individuals can do in order to prevent them. However, being conscious of the signs that are present after a natural disaster occurs can be beneficial in making our environment healthier. “Coral bleaching is expected to be an even greater threat to coral reefs in the future” (2). Therefore, learning simple actions to take in order to help maintain the proper and original characteristics will shape a better world.

Photograph courtesy of "Coral Reefs: Adaptation of Extinction"

“‘Mass bleaching’ events are driven by ocean water temperature anomalies due to changes in global ocean- atmosphere circulation patterns” (3). Circulation patterns are inevitable in the oceans fluxes. Since the circulation patterns play such a vital role within the causes of coral reef bleaching, it is only embellished by the presence of natural disasters because “besides mean sea surface temperature, it also appears that regional weather conditions are of great importance. Short- and long-term effects of large-scale weather patterns are intertwined, and local conditions are important in modulating the bleaching response” (1). Since the severe weather patterns are a main contribution to the bleaching affects of coral reefs, it is clear to sense that the circulation patterns are going to be altered within oceans. It would be extremely difficult to try to control the oceans circulation patterns, but recognizing instructive and beneficial arrangements to take, in order to be prepared for a storm, would be noteworthy and an educational experience.

It is stated that “global warming and associated increases in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are now projected to be very likely in the coming decades and the human ‘‘fingerprint’’ of increased atmospheric CO2 on the climate signal is also clear” (1). Not only do humans have a major part in generating coral bleaching, but due to the factors of the natural disturbances that are present within the world this is progressing negatively each day. Understanding how strong impacts are fundamentally present and intertwined within actions represents these specific issues. Since many people are uneducated on this topic, it is hard for people to do the correct thing. Global warming is strongly generated by humans, but having this information does not help the situation of coral bleaching because majority of people are not yearning to make a difference. Global warming has been impacting our world for many years now, and our planet is only getting warmer amongst the future years.   

Photograph courtesy of "Global Warming/Climate Change"

What happens when corals are in the process of bleaching is the following, “in extreme cases, bleaching leads to the visible paling of the host organism, as the yellow-brown pigmentation of the symbionts is lost. In scleractinian (stony) corals some 50% or more of the total symbiont community must be lost before paling is typically visible to the naked eye, and in many taxa, including corals, bleaching turns the host organism white, as the calcareous skeleton becomes visible through the coral’s transparent tissues” (1). The main purpose is to be aware that when a coral is in the process of bleaching, the corals bone is actually what is becoming noticed. With the bone being detectable, obviously, one can understand that it is living in unhealthy conditions. If those conditions continue the coral will slowly be in the progression of dying, because of the severe consequences that human impacts, and natural disasters and causes have formed.

Photograph courtesy of "IUCN, the Internationla Union for Conservation of Nature"

Additionally, with the degrees of coral bleaching, further damaging factors come into play. For instance, “bleaching has also set the stage for other declines in reef health, such as increases in coral diseases, the breakdown of reef framework by bioeroders, and the loss of critical habitat for associated reef fishes and other biota” (1). This is hinting at the condition of the domino effect. With the danger of coral bleaching, supplementary problems arise. Coral reefs are the homes to many animals, and if that bleaching takes place, sizeable amounts of those creatures will die. Biodiversity is what makes up our wild and naturalistic world that many people greatly enjoy. However, the plethora of occurrences of coral bleaching will wipe out those animals completely if it keeps thriving at this rate. Then individuals would not be able to embrace the beautiful nature that the environment has ultimately created.

1. Baker, Andrew C., Peter W. Glynn, and Bernhard Riegl. "Climate Change and Coral Reef Bleaching: An Ecological Assessment of Long-term Impacts, Recovery Trends and Future Outlook." Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science (2008): 435-71. Web of Science. Web

"Coral Bleaching in Tobago." Green3Systems. N.p., 2010. Web.

2.Eakin, Mark C., Jessica A. Morgon, and Scott F. Heron. "Caribbean Corals in Crisis: Record Thermal Stress, Bleaching, and Mortality in 2005." Caribbean Corals in Crisis 5.11 (2010): 1-9. Web of Science. Web.

"Global Warming/ Clime Change." Eagle & Condor Productions. N.p., 13 Feb. 2013. Web.

"IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature." IUCN. N.p., n.d. Web.

3. Moore, James, Linda M. Bellchambers, and Martial R. Depczynski. "Unprecedented Mass Bleaching and Loss of Coral across 126 of Latitude in Western Australia in 2010–11." Mass Coral Bleaching in Western Austrialia 7.12 (2012): 1-11. Web of Science. Web

Pardo, Sam, and Patricia E. Villegas. "Coral Reefs: Adaptation or Extinction? » Management & Intervention." Coral Reefs: Adaptation of Extinction? Duke University, n.d. Web.