Reef Fish and Coral Loss
Between 32% and 72% of reef fish have populations that are decreasing over the past decade. This disappearance is a direct correlation with the disappearance of coral. If this coral continues to disappear reef habitats will continue to deteriorate.
The hard coral provides a foundation for other types of coral. The coral is also a food source and provides safety for reef fish. So scientists became worried when they found out that in 2003 the coral had reduced 80%. the deterioration is from coral diseases, storm damage, pollution and sediments from soil damage.
Analyzed data from 48 studies including peer revised papers, government and university research reports and unpublished data that covered trends on 318 Caribbean coral reefs and 273 species of reef fish over a period of 53 years. Today reef fish populations were constant from 1955-1995, then they plunged about 3% to 6% a year from 1995-2007. The loss of algae eating fish, such as parrot fish and surgeon fish is scary because these fish eat the algae that help the reefs to survive.
The loss of reef fish is said to not be due to over fishing because it is affecting fish that are not fished for and is something bigger that's affecting the entire sea for the past three decades. The loss of fish is 20 years behind the loss of coral but the loss of fish from so many species points to the loss of coral as the cause.
Update: According to the United Nations System-Wide Earth Watch The reefs are deteriorating in all areas where human activity is high, In east Africa, all of continental South Asia, Southeast and East Asia and across the Caribbean coasts. Another thing to add to the deterioration of reefs is the increase of carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere which may decrease calcification rates of corals, coralline algae and coral -algal communities by up to 10-20 percent as carbon dioxide levels double in the next century.
The UNEP Coral Reef unit was established with the divisions of environmental conventions in December 2000, and it is helping to lead international efforts to cave the planets threathned coral reefs. It works with internaitonal partners around the world to increase internaitonal and national and local support for the coral reef conservation and sustainable use.
Samantha DeBiasio (Week 8, Group B)
posted by PWH @ 9:31 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
This is upsetting. I didn't even know that coral had decreased by that much over the years. Are we expecting more of a loss of Reef Fish (or other kinds of fish) with this continuing over the years?
Crystal Cabral
Is there any way to stop the damage? Tighter controls of pollution or soil erosion? I doubt the nations that control the reefs will do anything major to stop the decline. Its sad, but I guess its go head to Java and see 'em while you still can.
[Nathan Beck, Group A]
Samantha,
This is disappointing! I guess it is hard to stop this from happening, since it’s already underway. 80% is amazing, how much time before its gone forever!?
Sarah Bello
I understand that pollution and coral disease can cause the damage, but I don't understand why all of a sudden it started to drop so much and so fast if it was stable for so long. Good article though. Sad to hear.
-Alex Pavidapha
I remember hearing about this alot a longgggg time ago and then it sort of disappeared so I assumed the deterioration had slowed. Guess not. Have these coral diseases been around forever and have just built up resistance or are they diseases caused by us humans/pollutants/fishing boats?
Emily Bell
I've always heard about coral reefs diminishing, even as a little kid and over the years as I'm reminded of the situation I get more and more worried that eventually they'll just disappear leaving us with just memories and pretty pictures. Has there been any theories as to how to stop the deterioration or unless something drastic is done bye bye reefs?
-Conor Stenerson
I remember hearing about this awhile ago, but those percentages are outstanding! do you know if there is any protection being placed on coral reefs at the moment to prevent their disappearance?
- Maura Mulvey
I knew coral reefs were declining but not this much. Is there anything being done to stop the deterioration? It seems that something can be done about pollution and even maybe the coral diseases at least.
Shonneau L.
This makes a lot of sense, as I've heard that coral is extremely fragile and susceptible to disease, even from humans swimming around the reefs in addition to pollution. It seems like something is going to need to be done soon before it's too late entirely, especially if the population decrease in fish is 10 years behind, the coral is probably doing even worse.
Nicholas Skvir
Samantha,
You stated that the disappearance of reef fish is a direct correlation with the disappearance of coral. However, could it be that there are other forces at work, such as predators? On the other hand, the 80% decrease in the coral population does seem like a substantial amount of evidence to correlate the disappearance of reef fish to the coral deterioration.
Saad Choudhry
I've seen coral all over the news, but I never stopped to read it. Do you think this will be something that can be fixed? Is there anything being done, or can be done, to preserve the coral? There have been storms throughout history and sediment in water, why all of the sudden does it affect it now? Interesting!
-Alyson Paige
This is really upsetting! As a scuba diver, I am aware of the issues with the coral reef,but your post really put it in perspective for a lot of other people. I really hope it becomes more of a public issue so more people become aware!
~Alyssa Terestre
I knew that there have been efforts to conserve coral reefs, but did not know that they were this important or rapidly disappearing.
-Julio Rodriguez
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