Save Coral Reefs By: Andrew L

Table of Contents

Description ………………. 3

Cause and Effect ………...7

Problem and Solution…..11

Bibliography……………..14

About the Author………..15

Description

Most coral reefs are found in the photic zone (sunlight zone) near land. Therefore, they are

vulnerable to damage by human activities like fishing practices and boat anchors. Global warming

also does damage to coral reefs by causing it to stress and spit out microscopic algae

(zooxanthellae) needed for food, a process known as coral bleaching. Pollution also damages

coral reefs by giving out toxic substances like mercury and lead or disease like pathons. Nutrients

are seen as helpful for marine ecosystems; however corals are adapted to low nutrient levels; so

the excess nutrients can lead to the growth of algae which blocks the sunlight or the growth of

bacteria and fungi, that can be pathogenic to corals and their ecosystem.

Overfishing can also hurt coral reefs by killing fish that eat algae that

blocks the sun. Blast fishing (e.g. using dynamite/explosives to kill/stun

fish) can seriously damage the fish’s habitat like coral reefs. Cyanide fishing

(e.g. using chemicals to kill/stun fish) also does damage to coral and their

ecosystems. Fishers also break corals when attempting to extract stunned

fish, causing further damage to coral reefs and food webs of many animals

living in coral reefs.

Every 1 second 0.367 corals are killed so every 3 seconds 1.101 corals

are killed. That can result in a coral reef dying in a very short period. There

are 99 reef territories and 90 percent of the photic zones animals live in coral

reefs in the world. So if they die, it might lead to a major extinction (similar

to what happened to the dinosaurs).

Corals come in many different colors and shapes. For example

brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) is shaped like a brain and blue coral

(Heliopora coerulea) is blue. Corals belong to the family Anthozoa in the

phylum Cnidaria.

Cause and Effect

Due to global warming, coral are spitting microscopic algae which are

needed for food, the process is called coral bleaching. Even a 2 degree

fahrenheit change in the temperature will make coral bleach. The process of

bleaching takes 10-12 years if it is not affected by a tropical storm like a

hurricane.

Over 1,500 species of fish and 311 species of sharks live in coral reefs,

if the reef is bleached then they will have to find a new home, which is

difficult because coral offers protection and food. Corals provide protection

against predators like sharks and eels, but also provide a place for

predators to ambush their prey. In the open ocean, there are not nearly as

many hiding places as coral reefs, which might lead to a major extinction of

coral reef animals. 90 percent of the photic zones animals live in coral reefs,

so if they disappear that will seriously damage a lot of food chains and the

marine ecosystems.

Global warming is not the only threat to coral reefs. Marine debris

(discarded fishing gear, plastic bags, plastic straws, etc.) can seriously

damage coral reefs by choking fish, causing imbalance in coral reefs. Heavy

debris can crush coral and shipwrecks can destroy a big chunk of coral

reefs.

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA), warmer water temperatures can result in coral bleaching. When

water is too warm, corals expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their

tissues causing the coral to turn completely white. This is called coral

bleaching. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a

bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.

Problem

Coral reefs are dying due to the following problems:

1. Marine debris is choking fish and crushing coral.

2. Global warming is causing coral to bleach.

3. Algae is blocking the sun.

4. Pollution is giving out toxic metals like mercury.

5. An excess of nutrients can lead to the growth of algae.

Solution

Here are the solutions:

1. If you are on a boat, be careful about where you lower the anchor. Try

lowering it on a sandy bottom or use moorings if available.

2. Instead of using sunscreen, wear long sleeve shirts to prevent sunburn

because most sunscreen has coral inside.

3. Bike instead of using a car to reduce the amounts of carbon dioxide in the

air.

4. Spread the word by learning about coral reefs and how to protect them and

then telling other people about what you learned. The more people know

about what is happening, the more people we have to help coral reefs. The

more people we have helping coral reefs, the better the coral reefs get.

Click the link below to see the Biteable video about coral

reefs

Saving Coral Reefs

One by one we can make a difference!

Bibliography

Threats to coral reefs

Coral bleaching

What is coral bleaching

Coral reefs

Why are coral reefs so important

Everything you need to know about coral reefs

UofW

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/coral-bleaching-great-barrier-reef-may-get-lot-worse-future-180958758/

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/corals-and-coral-reefs

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-25630817-dead-coral-underwater

About the author

Andrew is 9 years old. He goes to Amerman elementary. His hobbies include

building Legos and drawing.