Coral Reefs' Global Decline

For thousands of years, coral reefs have been in various locations around the world. Australia may be the most publicized one. But, the coral reefs in the Caribbean have also proved to be a wondrous explanation of underwater life. Until recently when damage to these reefs has reached alarming proportions. "Incidents of severe damage to coral reefsare increasing, both in and out of protected areas in the Caribbean, according to marine biologists. Coral reefs support the most diverse ecosystems in the oceans, but the effects of tourism in the area, especially the heavy anchors from cruise ships, are damaging the fragile reefs beyond recovery" (Allen, 1992 p. 330). Man, not nature, is the principal cause of degradation and destruction opf one of nature's wonders. "Coral reefs have been called the rain forests of the ocean because of their vast biodiversity and genetic wealth. And over the last few years people have seen a massive die-off of these ecosystems, with a quarter of the world's reefs already gone" (Baker 2008, p. 15).

One example which Allen (1992) uses is the increasing number of cruise ships and other tourist transports which seem to be far too careless in such activities as dropping anchors. As the author explains in one such incident: "the 440-foot cruise ship Wind Spirit slid majestically into Francis Bay off St. John, one of the US Virgin Islands, and dropped its giant anchor on a coral reef...The anchor and the heavy links of its chain tore through part of the Johnson's Reef region and 'virtually destroyed' a 300-square-yard area of coral" (Allen 1992 p. 331) While this account was nearly two dcades ago, the tourism industry has continued to be careless in the Caibbean. And sdurely such man -made disasters as the current BP oil spill off the Luisiana coast cannot help keep the coral formations healthy.

While the U.S. government has enforce specific areas for protection, damage continues: "The large number of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Caribbean (over 100) gives a misleading impression of the amount of protection the reefs and other marine resources in this region are receiving" (Rogers and Beets, 2001 p. 312). It has become obvious that not enough care is being given by fishermen and tourists- especially the cruise liners.." Living coral cover has decreased and macroalgal cover has increased. Seagrass densities have decreased because of storms and anchor damage. Intensive fishing in the US Virgin Islands has caused loss of spawning aggregations and decreases in mean fish size and abundance" (Rogers and Beets, 312).

Man as well as nature continue to cause tremendous problems. The New Scientist, a UK publication states that a double whammy of disease and global warming has flattened Caribbean coral reefs in just 40 years. Consequently, the reefs have lost the intricate, tree-like surface corals that provided sanctuary for reef fish and other creatures up to the 1970s, as well as protecting coastlines from the onslaught of waves.

Most people don't know much about coral reefs and other underwater ecological systems, and news stories that explains the nearly irreparable damage b3eing done to these ecosystems tend to leave most people just not involved or interested. So here is another example of damages that people may not understand but is vital to survival of numerous species of life under the seas: Research has shown that coastal ecosystems and the services they provide are adversely affected by a wide variety of human activities. "In particular, seagrass meadows are negatively affected by impacts accruing from the billion or more people who live within 50 km of them. Seagrass meadows provide important ecosystem services, including an estimated $1.9 trillion per year in the form of nutrient cycling; an order of magnitude enhancement of coral reef fish productivity; a habitat for thousands of fish, bird, and invertebrate species; and a major food source for endangered dugong, manatee, and green turtle" (Waycott et al, 2009 p. 12377).

Article and research paper - one after another- predicts a dire future for these undersea wonders. Like global warming, there still are too many people who simply don't believe the problems. What will it take to convince them? Total destruction?

References:

Allen,William H. (1992): "Increased Dangers to Caribbean Marine

Ecosystems" Washington: Bioscience. May 1992.

Vol. 42, Iss. 5; pg. 330- 336

Baker, Sherry: "Rescuing the Reefs" Chicago: Discover

Jun 2008 Vol. 29, Iss. 6, p. 15

Rogers, Caroine S, and Beets, Jim: "Degradation of marine

ecosystems and decline of fishery resources in

Marine protected areas in the US Virgin Islands"

Cambridge: Environmental Conservation. Dec 2001.

vol. 28, Iss. 4; pg. 312-322

Waycott, Michelle, Duarte, Carlod M., Carruthers, Tim J. B.,

Orth, Robert J., et al: "Accelerating lossof seagrasses

across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems"

. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

Jul 28, 2009. Vol. 106, Iss. 30; pg. 12377