Threats to Ecosystem and Conservation Methods:
Threats:
Due to human activities CO2 concentrations in the air have increased greatly. The ocean therefore absorbs 1/3 of this CO2 which reduces the availability of carbonate ions which is needed for the formation of coral. This CO2 build up also known as Global Warming, and is causing the temperature of the oceans to warm. That is problematic for the coral due to their sensitivity to temperature. This therefore can cause whole reefs of coral to be "bleached". Another threat is water pollution. The pollution causes an overload of nitrogen. The nitrogen helps the algae to grow, when too much algae builds up it can smother the coral. Due to human construction there is a build up of sedimentation which can also smother the coral. Also Coral mining has become problematic due to the large pieces extracted. Lastly careless tourism has damaged and destroyed many reefs.
Conservation Methods:
Many programs including the NOAA have taken an interest in the conservation of coral reefs. These groups have created both ecosystem based and worldwide conservation plans. They have begun to label certain coral reefs as marine protected areas in order to protect the reefs from human activities. Research is being conducted in how to restore the coral reefs. Work is also be done to create an efficient monitoring and mapping system in order to further the conservation method.
Due to human activities CO2 concentrations in the air have increased greatly. The ocean therefore absorbs 1/3 of this CO2 which reduces the availability of carbonate ions which is needed for the formation of coral. This CO2 build up also known as Global Warming, and is causing the temperature of the oceans to warm. That is problematic for the coral due to their sensitivity to temperature. This therefore can cause whole reefs of coral to be "bleached". Another threat is water pollution. The pollution causes an overload of nitrogen. The nitrogen helps the algae to grow, when too much algae builds up it can smother the coral. Due to human construction there is a build up of sedimentation which can also smother the coral. Also Coral mining has become problematic due to the large pieces extracted. Lastly careless tourism has damaged and destroyed many reefs.
Conservation Methods:
Many programs including the NOAA have taken an interest in the conservation of coral reefs. These groups have created both ecosystem based and worldwide conservation plans. They have begun to label certain coral reefs as marine protected areas in order to protect the reefs from human activities. Research is being conducted in how to restore the coral reefs. Work is also be done to create an efficient monitoring and mapping system in order to further the conservation method.