The coral reef system is one of the most biologically diverse habitats, boasting numerous marine animals and plants that use the reefs for food, shelter, and protection. In other words, it is their home. However the coral reef system is also one of the most overlooked habitats, and along with the ever increasing damage caused to the reef system, problems are occurring and will only grow—unless changes and other forms of protection are continued and strengthened.
Not only is the coral reef habitat important because of the unique and dynamic ecosystem that it houses, but the coral reefs also play a very important role in protecting coastal areas from extreme ocean storms, bring in tourism and recreation, and may provide valuable modern medicines. The reef systems help control carbon dioxide levels in the water, and provide a place for people to fish that feed between 30 and 40 million people per year. In fact, the reefs are considered the most valuable marine habitats for at least 100 countries in the world.
However, as important as the reef systems are to the world, according to new studies the habitat is being depleted at a higher rate than ever before—with 25% already wiped out, and lots more to come with every passing year. Many of the damages can be attributed to global warming and other environmental policies that do not provide enough protection. For instance, as ocean temperatures have begun to rise between 1 and 1.5 degrees, studies have shown that it is wiping out the coral reef system at a rate that could have them completely wiped out within decades. To many, 1 to 1.5 degrees may not seem like a lot, but ocean water temperatures are only projected to continue to rise, which means a continuous loss of reef systems. Without major changes to global warming policies, the loss that would be associated with the coral reef system and all that it provides would be a devastating and irreversible loss.
Because taking action on global warming is a long and drawn out process with many people and steps involved in making changes, it would seem relevant and important to take other environmental policy measures to protect the reefs. Fishing regulations and dumping policies are already in play in many areas, however, if major changes are to be seen, then they need to be stronger. With the millions of dollars that tourism and recreation bring in, it would be a devastating economic loss to many nations.
Our coral reef system is a beautiful and magical habitat that needs more public attention because without it, the world will see losses that could not even be imagined. Even though the reef system is very small in the big realm of all habitats, it still does so much to protect and ensure that the world runs more smoothly. Bigger and better environmental regulations need to be enforced, and global warming policies need to be strengthened if we are to save the precious coral reef habitat.
I think that the coral reefs truly demonstrate how interconnected our world really is. It is crazy to think that the ocean temperature can have such huge impacts on coral reefs with only a slight change. One incident that was recently in the new relating to the Great Barrier Reef involved a ship that ran off course called the Sheng 1 and hit the reef. Over 2 tons of oiled spilled. However, the greater damage may have been caused by the scraping of the ship against the reef. It created a 1km scar as it was pushed down the reef by currents. A lot of paint was left on the reef, the toxic anti-fouling paint kills the coral. Its amazing to see how many of our actions can have an impact on the reefs. From ships carrying oil (that have accidents that hurt the coral) that fuels cars that cause global warming and heat up the ocean and kill the coral, all of our actions are connected. We need to take better care to minimize our impacts on our environment and preserve what we haven't already destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about how important the coral reef is or what does protect many coastal areas from extreme storms. But that is so true, as well as protection for many different species of fish. It is amazing how all living things on earth would be affected with a missing coral reef because it controls carbon dioxide levels that much! Something interesting I found was that reef fish and mollusks also feed 30-40 million people each year! It is pretty crazy to think how much it would affect us if the coral reef dissappears.
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