Can our coral reefs recover?

Coral reefs are the center of the marine environments ecosystems. They are colorful, rich in nutrients, and the home of many algae and fish within the marine environment, but the coral reefs existence could be short lived, proving devastating consequences to the marine environment. A research team from the universities of Exeter and California Davis discovered that over fishing, seaweed, and sewage management are devastating the coral reefs in the Caribbean. Professor Peter Mumby of the University of Exeter http://www.sciencedaily.com and his team tested weather or not coral reefs that were overgrown with algae, like seaweed could overcome its impact if factors such as over fishing and pollution were eliminated.

Peter Mumby and his team found that coral reefs could not overcome any contamination brought on by algae, pollution or over fishing leaving them permanently unhealthy. These findings suggest devastating consequences for the marine environment. If one aspect is eliminated or becomes overgrown in an ecosystem it causes a domino effect to other contributing factors in the ecosystem. This was shown in the 1980’s on the coral reefs, with the over fishing to near extinction of the herbivorous urchin, Diadema antillarum. This grazing urchin along with the parrotfish, who are now being over fished, control the seaweed growth in the environment allowing the corals appropriate space to grow to full development, and with the extinction of these grazing urchin’s the coral reefs lifespan is in great danger.

In order to allow the coral reefs to thrive, actions such as stopping over fishing of the parrotfish and Diadema antillarum need to be regulated and pollution needs to be eliminated. If regulations can be put in place and enforced then the coral reefs can keep contributing nutrients, algae, and homes to the marine environment. But without such actions then we will see a great decline in all aspects of the marine ecosystem.

Posted By: Rachel McMahon (7)