Coral+Bleaching+Threatens+the+Diversity+of+Reef+Fish

Source: [] Article posted on April 5, 2018 Current event write up posted on April 9, 2018
 * Coral bleaching threatens the diversity of reef fish **

This article discusses the impact that the 2016 bleaching caused by the global heatwave had on the reef and it’s surrounding fish populations. The heat stress that was put on corals had varying effects, depending on the coral’s sensitivity to heat. The fish were impacted by the loss of coral, however, similar to the reefs, some fish were more sensitive than others. Researchers saw a drop in the diversity of fish populations, and butterflyfish were hurt the most. When comparing statistics from before the event and from six months after, the variation of fish was almost completely gone.
 * Summary **

This article relates to our course because it discusses the dangers of the loss of species diversity (variety of different species in different habitats on earth (Miller ch.4)). It also refers to how abnormal weather and climate noise can have a big impact on species, and the need for people to recognize and help one of the biggest biodiversity crisis’, biotic homogenization (the tendency towards individual and community similarity).
 * Application to course **

In my opinion people should be more aware of the things that are happening to our oceans and their ecosystems, whether it be pollution or the coral bleaching discussed in the article. I think scientists and researchers should work to help corals reinstate themselves and their ecosystem, and help restore the fish populations that suffered from the bleaching.
 * My opinion **

The Endangered Species Act- provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of their range and the conservations of the ecosystems on which they depend.
 * Environmental law **

Source: //ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies/ Ciemon Caballes //
 * Picture **