the disappearing coral reef julie smith 2008 healthy reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy...
TRANSCRIPT
The The Disappearing Disappearing
Coral ReefCoral Reef
Julie Smith 2008
Healthy Reef : biodiversity, brightly colored healthy coral
Dead/Dying Reef : coral bleaching, limited flora and fauna
Carysfort Reef
1975 1985
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
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
Natural Coral Reefs of Florida
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/coral.htm
Environmental Risk to Natural Reefs
What’s Killing the Coral
Natural StressorsDiseases
Black Band
White Band
White Plague
Aspergillosis
PredatorsDiadema (urchins)
COTs (starfish)
Drupella (snail)
Weather Events
Localized Anthropogenic Stressors
Boating
FishingOverfishing
Poisoning/Bombing
CollectingTropical Fish
Coral Mining
Diving
Devastation of Mangrove Forests
(That’s things we do)
Global Stressors
Silting
Fertilizer Run-off
Effluent Discharge
Industrial Pollution
Global WarmingIncreased sea temperature
Increased ocean depth
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
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
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
Please help protect my home
Questions ??