{"id":747,"date":"2013-06-17T09:38:04","date_gmt":"2013-06-17T13:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/?p=747"},"modified":"2013-06-17T09:40:08","modified_gmt":"2013-06-17T13:40:08","slug":"care2-com-10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs-by-s-e-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/2013\/06\/17\/care2-com-10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs-by-s-e-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Care2.com:  10 Threats to the World&#8217;s Stunning Coral Reefs by S.E. Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"article_content\">Read more: <a style=\"color: #003399;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTqodsCx\">http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTqodsCx<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"image_share contain_floats\">\n<div class=\"image\">\n<ul>\n<li>June 16, 2013<\/li>\n<li>4:00 pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"fb_article_like\"><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"10 Threats to the World\u2019s Stunning Coral Reefs\" src=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/3022\/3021357.large.jpg\" width=\"431\" height=\"267\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article\">\n<div class=\"article_content\">\n<p>Coral reefs: stunning, diverse, found worldwide, and incredibly fragile, despite the fact that they look like they\u2019re made from stone. These delicate, beautiful structures are microcosms, communities filled with organisms living in a mutually beneficial world that provides food, shelter and protection from harsh weather. Sadly, 25% of coral reefs are already hopelessly damaged, <a href=\"http:\/\/wwf.panda.org\/about_our_earth\/blue_planet\/coasts\/coral_reefs\/coral_threats\/\" target=\"_blank\">according to the World Wildlife Fund<\/a>, and many others face serious threats.<\/p>\n<p>Combating damage to coral reefs requires understanding the multifaceted nature of the threats against their survival, and determining the best way to address these environmental issues before it\u2019s too late. The loss of coral reefs would be tragic not just because we\u2019d miss something beautiful in the world, but because they also play an important environmental role.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_reeffromabove.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3022174\" title=\"Reef from above\" alt=\"A coral reef viewed from above the surface of the water. \" src=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_reeffromabove-300x185.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"185\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Ocean Acidification<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Associated with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/global-warming-destroying-world-coral-reefs-costing-economy-billions.html\" target=\"_blank\">climate change<\/a>, ocean acidification occurs as atmospheric CO2 rises and the ocean absorbs it. The oceans have been burdened with a huge percentage of the rapidly-rising CO2 in the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, and they aren\u2019t equipped to handle it. Historically, the ocean\u2019s pH was relatively stable. Today, it\u2019s dropping due to reactions between seawater and CO2, and corals are missing out on valuable carbonate ions they need to form. Not only that, but as the level of dissolved CO2 in the ocean rises, it appears to be directly damaging coral skeletons, causing them to break and crumble.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Coral Bleaching<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thanks to climate change, the ocean is getting warmer. Corals, along with many other organisms in the sea, are extremely sensitive to small temperature changes. In their case, they can react to temperature increases by expelling their critical symbiotic algae, known as zooxanthellae. How critical? They provide up to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coral.org\/resources\/about_coral_reefs\/threats_to_coral_reefs\" target=\"_blank\">80% of the energy<\/a> needed by the coral to survive, so when they leave, the coral is at risk of dying off \u2014 and it acquires a distinctive pale color, explaining the term \u201cbleaching.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Pollution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coral, like the rest of us, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/coral-reefs-found-dead-near-bp-spill-site.html\" target=\"_blank\">doesn\u2019t take kindly to toxins in its environment<\/a>, and when exposed to chemical and industrial pollution, it can die. Moreover, corals are at risk of what is known as \u201cnutrient pollution,\u201d where the ocean becomes rich in nutrients as a result of fertilizer release, animal waste and related materials. It turns out there <em>is <\/em>such a thing as too much of a good thing \u2014 algae swarm in and bloom in response to the sudden food source, and they choke out the coral population. Better pollution controls and conservation are critical to prevent this issue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article_content\">\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_coral.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3022171\" title=\"Cauliflower coral\" alt=\"A formation of cauliflower coral, surrounded by Hawaiian domino. \" src=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_coral-300x185.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"185\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Overfishing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coral reefs often furnish a number of valuable food species, but unfortunately, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/no-matter-how-you-slice-it-humans-are-to-blame-for-coral-reef-decline.html\" target=\"_blank\">humans don\u2019t always manage fisheries responsibly<\/a>. Consequently, species can become fished out, disturbing the balance of the reef environment. Not only that, but some fishers use destructive practices like adding chemicals to the water to stun fish, deep water trawling or using explosives to quickly startle fish to the surface of the water. These practices damage the coral and harm bycatch \u2014 the \u201cuseless\u201d species that won\u2019t be harvested. Likewise, crab and lobster traps can damage reefs by banging around in the current and entangling coral and other species in their ropes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Development<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coastlines tend to make popular places for development. Historically, they were ideal for trade and other activities thanks to their proximity to major ports. Now, coastlines have become one of the most popular places in the world to live thanks to existing settlement and stunning views of the water, along with activities associated with the ocean like surfing, going to the beach and snorkling. Unfortunately for coral, development is bad news, because it increases pressures on already fragile reefs. Some cities that once had thriving reefs now have nothing left, while in other rapidly-developing areas, things are not looking good for coral reefs.<\/p>\n<p>Tourism, closely related to development, is also linked with damage to coral reefs. Tourists who aren\u2019t aware of environmental issues may directly damage coral by stepping on it, harvesting souvenirs to take home, or disrupting the marine environment. Meanwhile, boaters may dump waste in reefs as well as damaging coral by hitting it with propellers and anchors.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Radiation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ever get a sunburn? Coral has some natural protections against UV radiation, but it\u2019s not prepared for ozone depletion. As the Earth\u2019s ozone has become thinned in spots, some corals are showing signs of damage caused by UV exposure; it\u2019s not exactly like they can slap on a layer of sunscreen for additional protection in the face of increasing exposure. \u00a0Like other changes in the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, ozone depletion is hard to fix, and it\u2019s difficult to come up with a way to protect corals from it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Mining<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coral jewelry is just one of many things made from coral. In addition to being used in souvenirs for tourists, coral is also removed for use in making roads, paths and various other products. This is especially common in nations with limited sources of income, which turn to their reefs and other natural wonders to meet their economic needs. Even though this puts substantial pressure on the environment, and eventually depletes reefs, these nations may have no other choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;\">Read more: <a style=\"color: #003399;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTqNZiTa\">http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTqNZiTa<\/a><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Overfishing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coral reefs often furnish a number of valuable food species, but unfortunately, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/no-matter-how-you-slice-it-humans-are-to-blame-for-coral-reef-decline.html\" target=\"_blank\">humans don\u2019t always manage fisheries responsibly<\/a>. Consequently, species can become fished out, disturbing the balance of the reef environment. Not only that, but some fishers use destructive practices like adding chemicals to the water to stun fish, deep water trawling or using explosives to quickly startle fish to the surface of the water. These practices damage the coral and harm bycatch \u2014 the \u201cuseless\u201d species that won\u2019t be harvested. Likewise, crab and lobster traps can damage reefs by banging around in the current and entangling coral and other species in their ropes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Development<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coastlines tend to make popular places for development. Historically, they were ideal for trade and other activities thanks to their proximity to major ports. Now, coastlines have become one of the most popular places in the world to live thanks to existing settlement and stunning views of the water, along with activities associated with the ocean like surfing, going to the beach and snorkling. Unfortunately for coral, development is bad news, because it increases pressures on already fragile reefs. Some cities that once had thriving reefs now have nothing left, while in other rapidly-developing areas, things are not looking good for coral reefs.<\/p>\n<p>Tourism, closely related to development, is also linked with damage to coral reefs. Tourists who aren\u2019t aware of environmental issues may directly damage coral by stepping on it, harvesting souvenirs to take home, or disrupting the marine environment. Meanwhile, boaters may dump waste in reefs as well as damaging coral by hitting it with propellers and anchors.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Radiation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ever get a sunburn? Coral has some natural protections against UV radiation, but it\u2019s not prepared for ozone depletion. As the Earth\u2019s ozone has become thinned in spots, some corals are showing signs of damage caused by UV exposure; it\u2019s not exactly like they can slap on a layer of sunscreen for additional protection in the face of increasing exposure. \u00a0Like other changes in the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, ozone depletion is hard to fix, and it\u2019s difficult to come up with a way to protect corals from it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Mining<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coral jewelry is just one of many things made from coral. In addition to being used in souvenirs for tourists, coral is also removed for use in making roads, paths and various other products. This is especially common in nations with limited sources of income, which turn to their reefs and other natural wonders to meet their economic needs. Even though this puts substantial pressure on the environment, and eventually depletes reefs, these nations may have no other choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;\">Read more: <a style=\"color: #003399;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTqNZiTa\">http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTqNZiTa<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"article_content\">\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_reeffish.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3022173\" title=\"Coral formation\" alt=\"A stunning coral formation with fish, in shades of moody purple and teal.\" src=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_reeffish-300x185.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"185\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>8. Sedimentation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Think back on the photos of coral reefs you\u2019ve seen, or, if you\u2019ve been lucky enough to see one in person, the real thing. One thing you\u2019ll note in almost all of them is the extremely clear water. Coral hates suspended sediment, and doesn\u2019t thrive in waters clogged with dirt, debris and other materials. Sadly, sedimentation is on the rise thanks to development and the destruction of wetlands, which normally act like giant traps for sediment, preventing it from reaching the ocean (and, incidentally, preventing loss of valuable topsoil). As sedimentation increases, coral populations suffer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9. Stormy Waters Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tropical storms, hurricanes and other rough weather are a fact of nature, but evidence suggests they may be increasing in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/is-extreme-weather-the-new-norm.html\" target=\"_blank\">frequency and severity<\/a> in response to climate change. Coral reefs can be badly damaged as a result of storm surge, the high, aggressive waves associated with severe storms. Sadly, this doesn\u2019t just damage the coral; it also exposes the shoreline to further damage, because the coral would normally act as a buffer zone to help protect the shore.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_hawaiianreef.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3022172\" title=\"Hawaiian Coral Reef\" alt=\"Fish fluttering around a coral reef. \" src=\"http:\/\/dingo.care2.com\/pictures\/causes\/uploads\/2013\/06\/061413_hawaiianreef-300x185.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"185\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>10. Rising Sea Levels<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coral is highly sensitive to light levels (one reason it can\u2019t handle sedimentation and algae blooms). As sea levels rise, <a href=\"http:\/\/biology.duke.edu\/bio217\/2001\/sealevel\/page2.html\" target=\"_blank\">the amount of available light will decrease<\/a> around existing reefs. Coral won\u2019t be able to grow under those conditions, and it may begin to die off, which means that it will cease to support the reef and the larger population of organisms that relies on the coral for food and shelter. Formerly diverse areas could become deserts very quickly, and projections suggest that at current predicted rates of sea level rise, many famous coral reefs, such as those in the Caribbean, won\u2019t be able to keep pace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;\">Read more: <a style=\"color: #003399;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTpoz6uI\">http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTpoz6uI<\/a><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read more: http:\/\/www.care2.com\/causes\/10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs.html#ixzz2WTqodsCx June 16, 2013 4:00 pm Coral reefs: stunning, diverse, found worldwide, and incredibly fragile, despite the fact that they look like they\u2019re made from stone. These delicate, beautiful structures are microcosms, communities filled with organisms living in a mutually beneficial world that provides food, shelter and protection from harsh weather. Sadly, 25% &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/2013\/06\/17\/care2-com-10-threats-to-the-worlds-stunning-coral-reefs-by-s-e-smith\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Care2.com:  10 Threats to the World&#8217;s Stunning Coral Reefs by S.E. Smith<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=747"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":750,"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747\/revisions\/750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}