When people plan to go to beaches and tropical islands in the summers, they are guaranteed to take a dip into the sea's warm waters. Those who have the chance to go on a snorkeling trip would have the chance to come across coral reefs. These reefs create a colorful landscape full of life that is definitely picture-worthy. Unfortunately, these diverse ecosystems are slowly losing their life, becoming dull and destroyed. Many reefs are also diminishing, the area where coral would thrive slowly becoming smaller and smaller. Doesn't it make you wonder: what is happening to the reefs of the world?
To start, let us understand coral reefs. Coral reefs, besides being a perfect subject for a landscape photo, are ecosystems teeming with life. Many sea creatures call them home. They are made up of coral, which are slow-growing organisms that come in a plethora of colors. They are a source of food and habitat for different sea creatures, hence why they are an essential asset in a coral reef ecosystem. Most of these corals are fragile. They can break easily if not handled well. People should not touch them either, as it could lead to slower coral growth. Corals would usually grow around 2cm every decade. Most coral reefs we see today are developed after millions of years.
In the past years, corals are slowly dying out, diminishing these colorful habitats and the ecosystem. Most of these destructions are caused by coral bleaching. This is a term to describe when corals are slowly turning into a white color. Corals undergoing coral bleaching can be identified. Bright colors indicate a healthy coral. A stressed coral turns into a paler color as the coral polyps slowly lose the pigment. Finally, a bleached - or dead - coral is identified by the white color on the polyp. Coral bleaching is mostly caused by climate change as sea waters rise in temperature. Corals can only survive in a specific range of temperature in the water. The water's temperature now is too warm for corals to survive.
The second cause of coral destruction is destructive fishing methods. Fishing is both considered a sport or a job. There are many fishing methods; all of them have their own benefits, but they also have their drawbacks. One such method is the use of explosives in the water. Many fishermen use this method as it can effectively kill a plethora of fish at once. The drawback to this fishing method is, expectedly, the destruction of the fish's habitat. Because corals are fragile, they quickly break and die from these explosions in the water. Other corals nearby would also have a slowed growth.
The third cause is low coastal development. Many resorts and recreation areas revolve around coral reefs, but not much care is put into preserving the corals and protecting them. Many tourists are inclined to touch the coral, which can significantly slow down a coral's growth. Many pollutants are also dumped into the seas, which will mess up the water's chemicals, making the coral stressed. Sunscreen is also one of these pollutants that can kill coral, as they contain a chemical that is detrimental to coral health. Dropping anchors on reefs also destroy corals, as the heavy metal would easily break the fragile organism to pieces. People are also inclined to steal coral for souvenirs or build development, diminishing the corals in the area.
Although these factors destroy these beautiful organisms, it's not too late! Many people are putting their efforts into trying to save and preserve coral reefs from their doom. No matter how small, many organizations are creating coral plantations where they cultivate their coral so that these corals can slowly grow into reefs of their own. Many of these plantation structures can be found in the seas, where corals reefs are slowly dying. These organizations are also encouraging people to participate and "plant" their coral to help the reefs in the area. NGOs like WWF or Project AWARE are promoting awareness of this problem and showing people the danger of coral damage to the environment and the future.
As a citizen, you can help too. Try to use less electricity and minimize carbon emissions to contribute to slowing down carbon emissions. Participating in coral planting or ocean clean up events (if possible) are also encouraged. On the beach, try to refrain from using too much sunscreen. It is also helpful to check for and buy sunscreen that does not have chemicals that can harm marine life. When visiting a coral reef, make sure to avoid touching the coral directly and refrain from buying souvenirs made out of coral. You can also spread awareness through social media or other creative means. Every small contribution is appreciated, so don't be afraid to help out as much as you can, even if it might not be a significant change!
Works Cited
“Coral Reef Ecosystems.” Coral Reef Ecosystems | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2019, www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/marine-life/coral-reef-ecosystems.
“Coral Reefs.” WWF, wwf.panda.org/our_work/our_focus/oceans_practice/coasts/coral_reefs/.
“Oceans & Reefs.” Sustainable Travel International, 20 Apr. 2020, sustainabletravel.org/our-work/oceans-reefs/?gclid=CjwKCAiAqJn9BRB0EiwAJ1SztXezT8abdfjwrWjjEhe8GIWafQQxRSeCfsIQ5FWwIdmBGLy4wXq7mhoCYjIQAvD_BwE.
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What Can I Do to Protect Coral Reefs?” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 10 Aug. 2009, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/thingsyoucando.html.
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