Window+To+Save+Worlds+Coral+Reefs+Closing+Rapidly

[| Window To Save World's Coral Reefs Closing Rapidly] This article came from National Geographic It was published on 01-04-2018. I am posting this on 01-04-2018. Same-day news. What better way to start off a new year than by finding out that its one of the last new years you get to spend knowing that there are coral reefs on your planet? **Summary:** Coral reefs bleach when they become stressed. Due to that, coral expel the algae that reside inside them. The relationship between algae and coral is described in the text as symbiotic. I would argue that it is actually mutualism, which is a type of symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit. The algae are protected by the coral, and in turn the algae help provide the coral with nutrients. When the coral are expelled due to stressors, both organisms struggle to survive. One such stressor is unusually warm temperatures. Due to global warming (which IS REAL, and very much is a problem!), these unusually warm temperatures are occurring more and more frequently each year. 2016 and 2017 marked the first time that the Great Barrier reef has bleached two years in a row in all of recorded history. In 2016 alone certain areas of the reef lost two thirds of their corals to bleaching. More than one-quarter of all known marine species, and 500 million people depend on coral reefs at some point in their lives. However, in a recent study of one hundred coral reefs, more than half suffered bleaching of over thirty percent of their corals in only the past two years. The Christmas Islands endured abnormally warm waters for ten straight months ending in April 2016, and over ninety percent of the reefs there were bleached. In 2016 some of the warm water was attributed to the year's El Nino. In contrast, bleaching continued in 2017, without an El Nino. The previosly mentioned study of one hundred coral reefs does not find a clear relationship between bleaching events and long term warming. This is because reefs aren't bleached over a long period of time or ina gradual way, but very quickly due to sharp spikes in temperature. Multiple other studies have found clear indications that human activity increases the likelihood of those warm spikes. Two things people need to do to help save the coral reefs and reduce beaching are halting overfishing, which causes serious harm to reefs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Greshko (the author) also notes that the introduction of heat-resistant supercorals has potential to save reefs. It is estimated that we have only a couple of decades before the reefs are beyond saving forever. This article relates to our course in several ways. Firstly, Greshko writes that "More than a quarter of all known marine species spend at least some of their lifecycle in coral reefs... more than 500 million people depend on coral reefs for food or fishing income...rely on corals to protect their shorelines from unchecked erosion and to fuel local tourism industries" (Greshko, par. 11). Clearly, this indicates a reduction of the ecological integrity of the area, as biodiversity decreases and major processes are interrupted. The concepts of ecological integrity and biological diversity are key parts of the // Sustaining Ecosystems, Land Use, Conservation, and Management // chapter of our textbook. When Greshko says "Corals bleach when stressors like unusually hot water short-circuit the symbiotic algae inside corals' tissues, rendering them toxic," he mentions another important concept in our APES course (Greshko, par. 7). Relationships between living organisms, including, but not limited to parasitism, mutualism, symbiosis, commencalism, and obligatory mutualism, are a major proponent of the // Community Processes: Species Interactions And Successions // chapter of the textbook. Greshko also discusses overfishing as a case of some reef damage "To curb damage to corals, the researchers say that humankind must swiftly reduce heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere and lessen local damages to coral reefs, such as overfishing. (Greshko par.20)" Overfishing and sustainable fishing, as well as the role of overfishing in reducing aquatic biodiversity, are large parts of the // Sustaining Wild Species // section of our textbook. Aquatic sustainability is a vital part of our course because it has much farther reaching environmental effects. If the coral reef ecosystmes fail to survive millions of people and other species will be negatively impacted. Endangered species act of 1973- Makes it illegal for Americans to import or trade in any product made from an endangered or threatened species unless it is used for an approved scientific purpose to enhance the survival of the species.- This actually does affect coral reefs. There are many types of endangered coral, including but not limited to, Acropora Palmata, Orbicella Anularis, Dendrogyra Cylindrus, and Mycellophyllia Ferox. The reduction of their trade and import allows them to remain in their ecosystems and continue sustaining life. Clean Air Act of 1963 - Set standards for pollution levels or limiting emissions or effluents for various classes of pollutants based on current technology.- This law is an important step in the right direction. Many air pollutants can end up in water, and are then biomagnified in coral reef ecosystems. Since many species there have specific niches, it is easy for that biomagnification to get out of hand. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980- This act enables the ministry of natural resources to provide sound management of the province's fish and wildlife well into the next century.- While I understand that this is a United States Law, and therefore does not have too much of an effect on coral reefs, a law like this in areas with coral reefs would be beneficial. If there was always a body specifically authorized to protect the wildlife there maybe direct harms like overfishing and coral damage would stop. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975- led to the creation of the great barrier reef park. This is an Australian law, not an American law(didn't actually come out of the packet.) The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on earth. It was made a park to protect it from destruction. Unfortunately doing so has not stopped bleaching due to temperature influences, but it has encouraged reef conservation!
 * How the article relates to the course: **
 * MY Opinion: ** I personally believe that immediate and sweeping legislation should be passed now with regards to pollution and overfishing. Pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement will have long term detrimental effects, and failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will probably cause an increase in global warming and extreme weather within the next decade. This will cause more bleaching, and probably eventually totally eradicate coral reefs. I think that once that happens people whos livelihoods depend on fishing and tourism will suffer. Obviously, at that point it will be too late to for anything. Even now, in 2017, it is almost too late to save what coral reefs remain. It would require major lifestyle changes for most people if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by that much, which would likely cause enormous backlash. I also believe in stricter regulations surrounding fishing of fish species around coral reefs. I think that if it were outlawed for the pet industry, and that were actually enforced, it could make a difference for those struggling reefs.
 * Environmental laws: **

This is a photo of a reef on the coast of American Samoa. It is shown during the stages of bleaching, and also demonstrates how it only takes a few months for such a thing to occur.
 * f ** rom www.inverse.com/article/34218-what-is-coral-bleaching-chasing-coral-great-barrier-reef-dead