the disappearing coral reef julie smith 2008 healthy reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy...

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The The Disappearing Disappearing Coral Reef Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008

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Page 1: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

The The Disappearing Disappearing

Coral ReefCoral Reef

Julie Smith 2008

Page 2: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral

Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora and fauna

Page 3: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Carysfort Reef

1975 1985

Page 4: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

So, Why Are Reefs Important

Densest and most varied ecosystem on Earth

Rain Forest of the ocean

Home to 25% of all marine life

Beginning of the marine food chain

Coral Reefs cover only 0.07% - 0.2% of ocean floor

Page 5: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

And the Problem Is?

27% have been lost

60% are at serious risk

32% could be lost in next 20 years

It’s predicted that in as little as 50 years ALL coral reefs could be dead

Page 6: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Natural Coral Reefs of Florida

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/coral.htm

Page 7: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Environmental Risk to Natural Reefs

Page 8: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Coral Bleaching

www.gbrmpa.gov.au

www.science.uts.edu.au

Page 9: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

What’s Killing the Coral

Natural StressorsDiseases

Black Band

White Band

White Plague

Aspergillosis

PredatorsDiadema (urchins)

COTs (starfish)

Drupella (snail)

Weather Events

Page 10: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Localized Anthropogenic Stressors

Boating

FishingOverfishing

Poisoning/Bombing

CollectingTropical Fish

Coral Mining

Diving

Devastation of Mangrove Forests

(That’s things we do)

Page 11: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Global Stressors

Silting

Fertilizer Run-off

Effluent Discharge

Industrial Pollution

Global WarmingIncreased sea temperature

Increased ocean depth

Page 12: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

What’s Being Done on a Global Scale

2008 declared International Year of the Reef

2006 – Bush designated 140,000 Sq Mi off Hawaii as a National Marine Sanctuary

International Coral Reef Initiative

Page 13: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

What can I do?

Educate yourself and your friends

Reduce your CO2 footprintBecome an informed consumerBecome active in reef protection/restoration organizations

http://www.reefrelief.org/http://www.seacology.org/http://www.coralreef.gov/http://www.projectaware.org

Page 14: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Credits and References

Video compliments of: http://www.reefvid.org

http://www.solcomhouse.com/greatbarrierreef.htm

http://www.reefcheck.org

http://www.reef.org

http://www.coral.org

Page 15: The Disappearing Coral Reef Julie Smith 2008 Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora

Please help protect my home

Questions ??