 Coral Reefs The Threats and The Solutions Olivia Lahaie

Coral Reefs  The term ‘coral reefs” is normally given to the ecosystem where colas and there symbiotic algae cohabitate.  Along with these organisms live many other species that thrive in the reef.  Coral reefs are the most bio diverse ecosystems on earth, with more genetic diversity then the tropical rain forest.

Farming and Mining Practices BP Oil SpillPesticide Runoff

Oil Spills  Oil spills can have very harmful effects on coral that are not always immediately apparent.  Direct contact to the oil can cause coral death as well as indirect contact over long periods of time.  Oil slicks mainly cause decreased photosynthesis, growth, and reproduction.  Recovery of the reef depends on many things, such as the associated communities of the reef, but can still take years or decades.

Farming runoff  Nutrients in the fertilizers used by farmers, such as nitrogen and phosphorous runoff into the ocean.  This overflow of nutrient can cause algae blooms.  These blooms block sunlight from the reef, and use up much of the oxygen in the water which decreases biodiversity.

The Solutions Farming  Pesticides and fertilizers are still a problem now because of excessive use in the past.  Stricter pesticide laws are helping greatly.  New ecofriendly fertilizers are really the only option besides refraining from using them at all. Mining  Oil spills are an unlikely but unfortunate part of offshore mining when it does occur.  As far as preventing the problem, the only thing for it is to enforce stricter policies  A policy that has been used is tapping into a oil reserve in two places to relieve pressure if one of the rigs starts leaking.

Fishing  Over fishing has a very big impact on coral reef ecosystems, particularly on The Great Barrier Reef.  Over fishing can cause major shifts in the ecosystem as well as charge average fish size and abundance.  Coral reefs specific needs for oxygen, nutrients and salt are all maintained by the fish and other organisms that live in the reef.  When the ecosystem changes the reef is severely effected. Over Fishing

Solution  As stated earlier, over fishing is a extremely large issue in Australia on the Great Barrier Reef.  Australia has implemented many strict fishing laws to help the drowning fish population.  Other implement such as “no- take areas” in the Florida keys and other preserve are helping replenish the fish populations.

 WORKS CITED  Coral Reef Info, S. (n.d.). Coral Reef. Retrieved from  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2011, May 13). How does an oil spill affect coral reefs? Retrieved from  University of Michigan. (n.d.). Over-Fishing. In Human impact on the great barrier reef. Retrieved from  University of Michigan. (n.d.). Pollution. In Human impact on the great barrier reef. Retrieved from