ipl-logo

Coral Bleaching

1437 Words6 Pages

Corals reefs are known as the “home” for most of the marine species. They are variety of biological community found underwater strengthened by an organic compound, calcium carbonate, excreted by corals. Though most of the marine ecosystems are consist of massive and diverse population of coral reefs, they are still considered as delicate ecosystems, especially on various conditions. When they are stressed due to constant change of conditions like temperature,they yield a negative outcome called coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is the whitening of the coral reefs due to the emission of the photosynthetic algae called the zooxanthallae caused by the altered water conditions. It does not mean that coral reefs has loss it’s life when this occurrence …show more content…

For how many years, there has been a considerable increase of rate of coral diseases to the coral reefs globally. These diseases are likely the reaction due to the manifestations of bacteria, fungi and viruses to the corals. However, human activities and natural phenomena are enhancing the vulnerability of corals to waterborne pathogens. Humans have been producing more pathogenic substances of which hinder the development of the growth of the coral reefs. The onset of coral disease has exposed and is somehow in relation with the resulting coral bleaching that is happening globally. With this, it is hypothetically said that warmer-than-normal water temperature is in relation with the outgrowing coral diseases but since the corals are located on the vast oceans of the world, of different properties and qualities. Hence, researchers are in need of more time for further discoveries about coral diseases. Moreover, they highly recommend the government to put more effort on educating the society about the effects of their polluted by-products to the sea living creatures, highly concerning on reducing the activities that affects the coral reefs development and growth.
The next cause of coral reef destruction are the invasive sea creatures which destroy or harm the symbiotic relationship between the fishes and other sea creatures that rely on the shelter of a coral reef could provide. One example is the Crown of Thorns Starfish. This starfish is very abrasive in clearing out a bunch of coral reefs. Being spiny and toxic it truly is a superior over small creatures and even if there are some of its predators, these predators are somehow over-harvested for consumption hence, affecting the food chain cycle. Thus, there would be an increase of their

Open Document