Coral Reefs

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Ocean Acidification Puts Deep-Sea Coral Reefs at Risk of Collapse

University of Edinburgh. “Ocean Acidification Puts Deep-Sea Coral Reefs at Risk of Collapse.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 17 Sept. 2020, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200917105321.htm. 

The ocean surrounding Southern California has been measured as the most acidic pH level ever recorded on living coral reefs. Scientists have begun to observe these living reefs, along with the skeletons of the dead coral, to see how the acidification is affecting the ocean and it’s ecosystems. The acidification is greatly impacting the growth of the coral reefs. They are also beginning to crumble and shrink rapidly. Deep-sea coral reefs are in the most danger because they are the reefs that are most affected by acidification. The deep-sea coral reefs located in Southern California are serving as a window into the future because they are what most of our reefs could possibly look like at the end of this century.

Once again, I am disheartened to learn about what is happening to our reefs. I think that ocean acidification and its effects should be taken more seriously by the population. As I mentioned before, the reefs located in Southern California serve as a way to look into the future, meaning that we already know what to expect. This should be motivating people to take action and help our reefs, but it sadly isn’t working. I am hopeful that researchers will continue to observe our reefs and make more discoveries that can help their overall health.

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CSUN Prof Finds Aggressive Alga Threatening Health of Caribbean Coral Reefs

Ramos Chandler, Carmen. “CSUN Prof Finds Aggressive Alga Threatening Health of Caribbean Coral Reefs.” CSUN Today, 30 Nov. 2020, csunshinetoday.csun.edu/media-releases/csun-prof-finds-aggressive-alga-threatening-health-of-caribbean-coral-reefs/. 

The reefs in the Caribbean are currently under attack due to an algae that is growing over the reefs and creating a layer of crust on top of them. A researcher at the California State University of Northridge—named Peter Edmunds—has been studying this algae along with his team members. Edmunds has observed that the algae is growing at a very fast rate and it is interfering with the reproduction rates of the reefs and the reef’s ecosystems. Edmunds noted that he first noticed the algae about five years ago, but didn’t think much of it until recent discoveries. Edmunds and his team are currently raising money so that they can continue to study this algae and hopefully stop it from destroying the reefs.

It truly is heartbreaking to read about everything that is happening to our reefs. Their health has always been a big concern of mine because of the effects of climate change and pollution. It’s disheartening to learn that they are already under so much stress, and now this has been added on top of that. Because everybody was so worried about the effects of hurricanes and bleaching, nobody thought to watch the algae and make sure it didn’t harm the reefs. I am very hopeful that Edmunds and his team will be able to thoroughly research this algae so that they can help restore the reefs surrounding the Caribbean.

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The New Use for Abandoned Oil Rigs

Gerretsen, Isabelle. “The New Use for Abandoned Oil Rigs.” BBC Future, BBC, 26 Jan. 2021, www.bbc.com/future/article/20210126-the-richest-human-made-marine-habitats-in-the-world.

The Pacific Ocean, specifically the area around the Santa Barbara coast, is known to be the home of thousands of abandoned oil rigs. The process to remove these abandoned oil rigs is extremely costly so instead of tearing them down, they are being turned into a backbone for coral reefs. Turning the oil rigs into reefs is also extremely beneficial because the oil companies are using the money they would have spent removing them and donating half the money to California-based organizations that help protect reefs. These abandoned oil rigs have also been extremely handy because they create an abundant habitat for many different species of fish. They have also been found to help revive endangered species. Oil rigs are now being designed in a manner that would make them most effective for reefing.

This article was fascinating to read. Before this, I had never known that there were oil rigs in our oceans and I immediately assumed that they were detrimental to our environment. After reading the article, I quickly realized how extremely beneficial they are. I think that it’s really cool that oil companies have found a different purpose for the oil rigs, rather than just tearing them down—which I’m assuming would cause a lot of ocean pollution. I also find it incredible that oil companies are now designing oil rigs with the coral reefs in mind so that they can help the ecosystem flourish.

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Channel Islands Offer a Roadmap to Healthy Seas

Wisckol, Martin. “Channel Islands Offer a Roadmap to Healthy Seas.” Orange County Register, Orange County Register, 4 Feb. 2021, www.ocregister.com/2021/02/04/channel-islands-offers-a-roadmap-to-healthy-seas/. 

Throughout the world, the ocean vertebrate populations have declined by 50%, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be restored. The Channel Islands located in California show how restoration truly is a possibility. The county of Santa Barbara, which is where the Channel Islands reside, has set many rules and regulations in place to protect the coral reefs and other ecosystems surrounding the coast. These rules have banned commercial fishing and seabed mining. There also have been maany regulations set to protect the water that resides near the coast. Thanks to these new rules and regulations, the fish population in the Santa Barbara Channel has increased by almost 50%. There has also been an 80% increase in total mass of sea life.

This article shows how restoring our environment is completely possible as long as we take the necessary steps. By setting new rules and regulations, the county of Santa Barbara was able to restore the ecosystems surrounding their coast. The restoration mindset can be applied to a great variety of ecosystems and environmental life, not just coral reefs. I think that it’s important that many people read this article because it shows how necessary it is to take action right away before things get more out of hand. I find it fascinating that they were able to restore so much of the ecosystem and it makes me incredibly hopeful for the future.

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Groundwater Runoff Is Changing the Metabolism of the Coral Reef Ecosystem

Chandler, Carmen Ramos. “Groundwater Runoff Is Changing the Metabolism of the Coral Reef Ecosystem.” CSUN Today, 25 Jan. 2021, csunshinetoday.csun.edu/media-releases/groundwater-runoff-is-changing-the-metabolism-of-the-coral-reef-ecosystem/.

The metabolism of the coral reefs is changing rapidly due to “submarine groundwater discharge”. This discharge is caused from the flow of freshwater from land to the coastal seafloor. A marine biologist from California State University Northridge has discovered that the changing of the metabolism is causing implications for researchers. Because of the submarine groundwater discharge, researchers are able to study and understand how humans affect marine life and how it might affect sea-level rising. 

This article was very interesting to read because it really brought into perspective how the smallest of actions can affect the environments around us. It’s really hard to wrap my mind around the fact that the decisions I make can affect marine ecosystems, even though they are so far from me geographically. We also have to realize that the health of the marine ecosystems around us affects us all. The article mentioned that our country’s reefs contribute a large sum of money to the U.S. economy. If we don’t take action, our economy could fall greatly. It is very important to make sure that our ecosystems and coral reefs remain healthy.

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Measure Aims to Ramp Up Federal Response to Coral Reef Disasters.

In the House of Representatives, a bill is being talked about that would help save endangered coral reefs. This bill is called the Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act and it was introduced by Congressman Ed Case. This article sheds some light on the importance of coral reefs to our country and the ecosystems found in the oceans surrounding our country. Congressman Case’s act would strengthen federal responses to coral reef emergencies, expand federal grant making for local reef conservation projects, and would authorize the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and the Coral Reef Management Fellowship.

I was very pleased to read about the federal changes being made to help preserve the coral reefs. While reading this article, I learned a lot about the importance of reefs to our country. Coral reefs help support many American industries such as tourism, hospitality, boating, recreation, and fishing. By passing this bill, many coral reefs would be protected from the effects of climate change, which would also help save many oceanic habitats. It is very important that we help save and restore the coral reefs because they help support a large portion of ocean life.

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A Probiotic for Corals.

Marine researchers from the University of Hawaii and San Diego State University are studying and researching coral probiotics. Although many coral reefs are at risk because of climate change, many coral reefs also suffer from chemical and bacterial issues. Coral reefs suffering from stress can be dominated by algae. Coral probiotics function like human probiotics, meaning that they will help fight off many bacteria and viruses found in ecological processes involving coral reefs. Researchers are also studying beneficial bacteria that can help improve reef health.

Before reading this article, I had no idea that coral probiotics existed. I think that coral probiotics is a fascinating topic and also incredibly important. I find it very interesting that coral probiotics are very similar to human probiotics and it makes me wonder if there are any other similarities between human health and coral health. After reading this article, i’m very excited to learn more about the discoveries of coral probiotics and how they will help restore the reefs.

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Restored Corals Observed Spawning For First Time In Waters Off Miami.

This article sheds some light on the restoration of Floridian coral reefs. What started as an attempt to slow down the decline of coral reefs soon helped restore many coral reefs. Scientists are doing everything they can to help push the reefs in order to help them replenish themselves. This article also mentioned how scientists are collecting eggs from coral reef colonies to help fertilize them. Scientists hope to restore 125 acres of degraded coral reefs which would help grow more than 150,000 coral colonies from five different coral species—three of these species are currently listed as threatened.

Reading this article gave me a lot of hope. I’m very excited that the efforts being made to preserve the coral reefs are actually working. I think that it is amazing that scientists are aiming to restore 125 acres of degraded coral reefs because it would help restore coral species that are on the verge of extinction. I also learned that coral reefs are essential for the well being of people because they help protect people and property from the effects of hurricanes. This is new information to me and I find it very interesting.

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Stepping Up To Preserve The “Secret” Coral Reefs In The Florida Keys

In the span of 40 years, the coral reefs found in the Florida Keys have declined by almost 90%. Emergency action is being taken to help preserve the coral reefs found in the oceans surrounding Florida. The NOAA—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—announced a proposal to expand a sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico. This expansion would help protect 14 additional reefs. The article also mentioned coral cover, which is how the portion of reef surface covered by coral is measured. A healthy coral cover is considered to be 25%, whereas the coral cover in the Florida Keys has drastically declined to just 2%.

I really enjoyed reading this article.I didn’t know about the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and it was very interesting to learn more about it. I think that the proposal made by the NOAA would be incredibly helpful not only for the coral reefs but for the species that live in these areas. I was devastated to read that the coral cover of the Florida Keys is 2% when a healthy coral cover is 25%. I think that it is very important to protect the coral in order to restore it and keep it alive.

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Report sounds an alarm on ongoing decline of US coral reefs

For the first time, a national assessment of coral reefs had been conducted in the United States. The reports from this assessment showed that the health of the coral reefs located around our country is declining rapidly due to the effects of climate change. The oceans surrounding heavily populated areas are incredibly polluted, which is another reason for the decline in health of the coral reefs. This article also shed some light on the economic impacts of the coral reefs. The article concluded by mentioning a federal bill that could help provide funding to restore the coral reefs.

Before reading this article, I wasn’t very aware of the coral reefs that can be found in the oceans surrounding our country. I also wasn’t very aware of the economical impact that coral reefs have. According to the article, the economic impact of coral reefs in the United States is around 3.4 billion dollars annually. I think that it is very important to pass the federal bill so that we can help improve the health of the coral reefs. I also think that it is important to minimize the pollution in the ocean so that the coral reefs aren’t at risk.