Coral Reefs: Endangered Habitat

The Nature Conservancy has just turned 50, first incorporating in 1951 with roots in the Ecological Society of America. It holds over 12 million acres of natural U.S. lands and over 61 million acres outside the U.S. in its efforts to preserve the bio-diversity of our world. Through its land purchases and educational programs the organization has helped thousands of species to keep their natural habitat. In tribute to the Nature Conservancy, this month's article is devoted to one of the most endangered habitats of the world, the coral reef.

Coral Reefs make up less than 0.2 % of the world's oceans, mostly in tropical areas, yet are the home of over 1/4 of all marine life. Over 1 million species of fish and invertebrates make their homes and feed off of the coral reef system. Coral reefs provide food for animals and ultimately for us because we eat those animals. The tiny creatures that make coral feed by filtering the water, which is why water is usually so clear where reefs are located. Coral have other organisms living inside them in a form of symbiosis. The green zooxanthelle gets protection in exchange for food, which it can create the same way plants do. Corals create massive outer structures at a rate of one inch a year of hard limestone providing homes for sea creatures and buffering coastal areas from storms. The result is a beautiful reef packed with diverse life, built slowly over the course of centuries.

Unfortunately, we seem to be doing our best to destroy all that. Reefs, being the oasis for life in the ocean, tend to be over fished, sometimes by using dangerous fishing methods involving explosives or cyanide poisoning. Sewage and agricultural run-off into the coastal areas promote algae blooms, where masses of the single celled plant-like organisms float on top of the water, preventing coral from getting the sunlight it needs to supplement its food. Without light, the corals will eventually die off. To make matters worse the very people who find the reefs so attractive often cause damage as well. Breaking off pieces of coral for souvenirs, treading on live coral with swim fins, and dragging anchors across the reefs are all taking their toll on the health of the coral reef system.

Any one of these aspects might be able to be tolerated alone, but in combination they are taking a disastrous toll on the coral population. A coral reef is built by a living creature, taking several years to build height and when these corals are stressed they often fall prey to disease. Bacteria can kill the coral and cause it to lose its color. This is known as coral bleaching. Some coral bleaching also occurs during high temperature which also stress the creatures. 16% of reefs were lost due to the El Nino phenomenon warming the oceans. In totality over 27% of all reef structure is lost. Some may be able to recover, but structural damage from blast fishing and tourism can take decades. Those killed off by disease may not recover at all.

But there is hope. Some lands are being held in protection, such as the Florida Key National Marine Sanctuary preserving over 2,800 square nautical miles. Some organizations have even developed 'patches' to replace parts of damaged reef to help the remaining organisms restore the area more easily. The key ingredient to preserving and restoring the coral reefs is education. Several organizations are trying to educate the people that make their living by blast and cyanide fishing. Two corals are also up for consideration for Endangered Species protection.

Protecting our planet's ecosystems start with each individual. So, what can you do to help? Start by finding an organization that is trying to preserve the reefs and donate time or money to the cause. When you dive or snorkel near coral, tread lightly and don't take or buy a coral souvenir. Don't buy tropical fish that live in reef systems that were caught using cyanide fishing that stuns the fish and brings them to the surface. This harms the reefs more than the fish. Get involved in educating people about coral reefs, whether that means your family, friends or your congressmen. If we can stop the dangerous human activity that is threatening to take the beauty and bio-diversity away from us, Coral reefs may continue their needed role in the ocean as a shelter for so much life.

For further information check out these sites:

http://www.motherjones.com/coral_reef/ for conservation information

http://www.reefbase.org for maps and specific information on one of 10,000 reefs

http://coralrealm.com for a database of marine life

Or for some great reef pictures visit: http://www.livingreefimages.com