Save and help protect Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are Earth's oldest living systems. Estimates are that 10% of the world's coral reefs have already been destroyed. The University of Illinois study, whom were sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, have provided more evidence that human activity have threathen these delicate ocean habitats. Here is a summary of the threats:

Cyanide fishing: Fishermen stun tropical fish by squirting cyanide into the reefs. This technique enables them to capture live fish for aquariums. In the process, the cyanide poisons both the reef and many of the invertebrate species living in its ecosystem.

Pollution: Sewage, fertilizers, and pesticides all originate on land and often run off into the ocean. Since coral reefs are close to the shoreline, they are exposed to these pollutants in high concentrations. The University of Illinois study found that human sewage and shipyard discharge are making coral vulnerable to a deadly disease known as "black band disease." Another danger to the reefs are oil spills: these generally occur close to shore, often when the tanker runs into rocks in the shallow waters.

Global warming: As global warming causes ocean temperatures to rise, coral loses the zooxanthellae that gives it its nutrients and colors. The coral begins to starve and turn white, a phenomenon called "coral bleaching." Higher sea temperatures and the spread of dust blowing from drought-ridden Africa are also causing a rise in coral disease. As the atmosphere's temperature rises, scientists expect that rapid melting of glaciers and sea ice will result in a rise in sea level. Since sea level may riser faster than reefs grow, the coral reefs may find themselves in water too deep for the zooxanthellae to receive the sunlight necessary for photosynthesis.

Overdevelopment: Development of coastal communities has also taken a toll on coral reefs. As humans build extensively near the shoreline, there is more runoff polluting the water. Channels are dredged for commercial and recreational ship travel, damaging reefs in the process.

Reckless recreation: People themselves pose a threat to coral reefs. Tourists collect pieces of coral as souvenirs %u2014 whether by breaking a piece directly from the reef or by buying it in a tourist shop. Boats sometimes anchor on reefs, damaging them in the process. Divers sometimes entangle their gear in reefs. Snorkelers also present an unexpected problem: reefs close to shore near major tourist areas have been damaged by poisons from snorkelers' sunscreen. The irony, of course, is that people go to enjoy the reefs and then inadvertently destroy them by not showering before they snorkel.

These activities are the reason for why our beautiful coral reefs are in danger and why we need to take a step forward and help save these beautiful sea habitats.