The temperature on the Earth has increased and led to mass coral bleaching events. Corals cannot survive the severity of prolonged bleaching events. This is a major threat to the survival of corals. Global warming impacts every human, plant, animal, ocean and atmosphere level on our planet Earth. Major stress that contributes to the white and lifeless appearance of coral is the climate change.
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Global warming is a threat to coral reef ecosystems. Scientific evidences have clearly indicated that the earth and oceans are warming. Climate change is the result of excessive amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere released from human activities. The oceans are extremely massive sinks that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere impacting the chemical and biological processes in them.
Due to the rise in temperature, coral bleaching events and coral diseases have significantly increased and are occurring more frequently. Coral diseases cause pervasive mortality among reef building corals. Many scientists believe that the rise in mortality is due to the deteriorating quality of water attributed to man-made pollution and rise in ocean surface temperature. Carbon dioxide dissolved in to the ocean from the atmosphere has begun to reduce coral reef calcification rates in reef associated and reef building marine organisms by changing sea water chemistry due to prolonged reduction in seawater pH level. This is known as ocean acidification.
Changing climate will further affect the coral reef ecosystem through rising sea level and changes in intensity and frequency of tropical storms and changing circulation patterns in oceans. This will change the ecosystem functions and the supplies and services provided by coral reef ecosystem to the people around the world.
Introduction
Coral reefs have survived thousands of years adapting natural change in climate but may not be able to survive the extreme climate temperatures. Around twenty five percent coral reefs worldwide are damaged and are beyond repair and other two-thirds are under serious threat.
Coral reef destruction refers to the potential mass death and degradation of the ocean corals. There are many causes of coral destruction such as pollution, illegal fishing tricks, hurricanes, earthquakes and the main reason is climate change that is responsible for warmer ocean temperatures. Climate change is majorly responsible for death of nearly half of the great barrier coral reefs.
Corals are living organisms and just like any other plant or animal species, corals can get weak, ill and die. Corals cannot survive the extreme water temperature which causes them to expel the microorganisms inside of them that gives them their colors.
Factors Responsible for Damage Caused to Coral Reefs
Conclusion
Thus, there are various factors responsible for coral reef destruction. The massive and blatant degradation of coral reefs is something that we can no longer ignore. Stern measures need to be taken to prevent further degradation.
Introduction
Global warming is the constant rise in the temperature of earth’s climate. The climate on earth and in the oceans is warming mainly due to the greenhouse gases released in the atmosphere due to human activities.
Coral Reef Deterioration
Coral reefs complex structures are the hub of active, biodiversity-rich ecosystems. Their presence is vital for the survival of various marine species. But global warming causes the temperature of the oceans to rise and the carbon dioxide levels are parting or killing the algae that keeps the corals colorful and healthy. It is also causing coral bleaching. Coral reef ecosystems are threatened by number of stressors such as coastal development, overfishing and coral bleaching. Over the decades global warming with other stressors has resulted in degradation of coral reef ecosystems worldwide.
The stone like structures of hard corals are composed of calcium carbonate and are reef building corals. The calcium substance is also found in shells such as clams, oysters and snails. Corals in the seawater need calcium to build their hard skeleton. Research has shown that there is 52-73% deterioration in larval settlement on reefs suffering low pH levels. Latest studies reveal that world heritage reefs will die of rising temperature stress if global warming is not curbed.
Increase in ocean temperature due to global warming has increased the severity of coral bleaching which causes more coral diseases in response to warming seas. Coral reefs such as staghorn are more sensitive and are seriously affected by coral bleaching events.
The coral reef ecosystem is affected through rise in sea levels due to global warming. Ocean acidification poses direct impact and greater risk on coral reef ecosystem. Increase in salinity at tropical level is constant with the intensification of the global hydrological cycle. There are changes in rainfall and storm intensity and frequency which also impacts the coastal water quality. The intense storm systems and rise in sea levels increases the amount of force exercised by waves on coastal areas which impacts coastal infrastructure and coral ecosystems, sea beds and mangroves.
Conclusion
The pace and scale of chemical and physical changes occurring in the oceans due to global warming are resulting in range of fundamental responses in marine ecosystems and organisms. Coral reefs are increasingly being dominated by the temperature stresses. Just like humans cannot tolerate excessive and prolonged stress even coral reefs cannot. The impact of global warming on humans and corals is already severe and thus the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has to be controlled to prevent further damage.
Introduction
Rising ocean temperatures due to global warming is affecting great barrier coral reef and may significantly affect the whole ecosystem. Temperature plays important role in influencing distribution and diversity of sea life. It is crucial to coral reef building and controlling its growth.
Like various marine creatures, coral reefs have also grown and adapted to the limited temperature rates. When the temperature exceeds the normal temperature, the thermal stress causes them to evict the algae within their tissues. This causes coral bleaching and with constant stress the corals may in due course starve and die.
Given below are the Impacts of Rising Temperature on Coral Reefs:
Ways to Prevent Destruction of Coral Reefs
Here’s how we can help reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to stop further deterioration of coral reefs:
The rising temperature is a major threat to the coral reefs and marine life. The severity will result in rising sea levels, frequent flooding and storms that will not only damage coral reef system but entire marine life. There is a serious need to control the rising temperature as it has already caused major destruction of coral reefs. Protecting oceans as a whole is vital to help corals maintain resiliency in case of threat in the future.
Introduction
Global warming is referred to as rise in average temperature of the climate on planet Earth. The emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is warming the temperature of the earth. This causes the temperature of the oceans to rise which impacts coral reefs.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs harbor the largest biodiversity of marine ecosystem globally and support around five hundred million people across the world. They comprise more than quarter of aquatic species. Reefs provide wide range of services such as food, support to the tourism industry and protection from floods. The disappearance of coral reefs will have adverse economic, health and social consequences.
Ecologically coral reefs undersea are as important as trees on land and are vital for the well-being of the oceans. Through the process of photosynthesis carried out by their algae, corals serve as the most important contribution of food in tropical marine food chain. The reefs provide shelter to 25% fish life in the oceans and around 2 million marine species. If the trees undersea are eliminated due to coral bleaching then everything that depends on them for survival may get eliminated gradually.
Effects of Global Warming on Coral Reefs Worldwide
Coral reef ecosystem is one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth, majorly due to climate change and global warming, combined with natural pressures. Coral reefs are the warning signs of what may happen to the less sensitive river systems such as deltas if the global warming issue is not addressed. If the temperature is not controlled the degradation may pass to other systems as well and may cascade irreversibly at rapid speed.
Over the past few years coral reefs worldwide have suffered from massive and frequent coral bleaching events as a result of rise in global temperature. Greenhouse gas emission in the atmosphere has caused increase in global surface temperature. This has led to frequent coral bleaching events turning corals white. If the corals are bleached for long period of time then they may eventually die. Great barrier coral reef in Australia and Hawaiian Islands in US have gone through worst bleaching on record with destructive effects. Statistics reveal that the bleaching of Great Barrier Reef killed around 50% of its corals in 2016 and 2017.
Not only Great Barrier Reef, but there has been a vast damage to the corals around the world in various oceans. Events of extremely intense warming are also occurring. El Nino takes place at times when ocean temperature rises gradually. This type of event mostly occurs when hot water is concentrated to the center of Pacific Ocean. There has been sharp rise in the temperature of the water of the Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea. In the western part of Indian oceans 50% of corals have vanished.
The problem is that corals cannot survive the intensity and frequency of bleaching events from global warming. And if the global surface temperature continues to rise the condition will get worse in future. As per UNESCO, if we continue to emit greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as usual scenario, coral reefs in 29-reef containing sites worldwide may get extinct by the end of century.
Conclusion
Needless to say, that the extinction of coral reefs has adverse consequences on the total ecosystem. Limiting average temperature around the world below 2⁰C provides the only chance for preservance of coral reefs worldwide. Addressing issues such as local pollution and fishing practices is also important. Economic systems need to speedily move towards circular economic systems and low greenhouse gas emission scenario to decrease the effects of global warming. Sustaining coral reefs is important and investments should be made for their maintenance and preservation.
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