Coral Reefs-Global Warming

Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples.

The vast amount of planet space is occupied by large water bodies. In these water bodies called oceans, the platform for various living organisms is provided by Coral Reefs. Coral reefs is consider as rainforest of oceans. In recent time the survival of these coral reefs is greatly threatened by the global warming. 

         

                        Due to indiscriminate act of development there is outcome of rise in temperature in planet along with growth of income. These rising temperatures led to the imbalances of the natural systems. Ocean ecosystem is also not excluded from such negative effects of imbalances. As temperature rise, the coral bleaching, infectious disease outbreak becoming prevalent.

Impact of Global warming on corals

Coral Bleaching:-  Corals are symbiotic association of coral polyp and zooaxanthalle algae. These coral thrive in normal ocean temperature and harbour more life forms. When corals face stress due to rise in temperatures, light or nutrients, they expel the algae and turn white. This is called coral bleaching.

Carbon dioxide impact:- The Carbon dioxide cycle is very complex phenomena which nature able to managing from thousands of years. Due to the indiscriminate industrialisation, fossile burning there is sudden increase of carbon dioxide in modern world. The oceans absorbs this carbon dioxide and lead to ocean acidification. The ocean acidity will affect the corals calcareous skeleton system. This skeleton system is vital for the survival of the coral.

Photo by Catrin Johnson on Unsplash

Increased competition and Nutrients :- The increased temperatures will create good environment for photosynthesis to plants and in turn lead to nutrient increasing. This rise in nutrient rise would multiply the fish population. Corals also depend on the nutrients for it survival. Due to new competition from the fish population the corals may get effected by the competition. Since, the ocean temperatures are dynamic, due to rise in temperature the sub tropical areas may receive the temperature which are unfavourable to the phytoplanktons. This in turn not produce enough nutrients to the ecosystem. In absence of the nutrients, the corals will not survive. Due to imbalances of nutrients theirs is collapse of coral colonies in caribbean islands.

Image by joakant from Pixabay 

 Human induced disasters: The intervention of humans in every part of the world is quite visible. The ocean ecosystem is also not exempted from such intervention. Many sand reaches due to developmental activities exploited and resulted in a very unhealthy environment. Due to these the corals also greatly suffer damage during the cyclones. 

All this lead to reduction of corals and hence reduce the food for many species. This also disturbs the aquatic food chain imbalances. Altered ocean currents also contribute to lack of food for corals and hampers dispersal of coral larvae.

To reduce the carbon footprint for controlling greenhouse gases:

• To encourage public utility
• Reduce, Reuse or Recycle
• Using energy efficient appliances 
• Using less water 

To improve overall coral reef conditions:

• Not to dump household chemicals into storm drains
• Volunteer for beach and waterway clean ups
• Choosing sustainable sea foods ( To ban the bottom trolling in higher fish population)
• Learning about good reef etiquette