Coral+Reef+Conservation

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A negative impact humans have had on coral reefs is pollution. There are numerous ways humans have added pollutants into our oceans that can cause serious damage to the fragile coral reef ecosystems.

A major pollutant is runoff from mining and farming. Farming has negative effects with pollution because of the nutrient runoff from the type of fertilizers they use. This fertilizer causes massive algae growth that blocks the sunlight and hurts the corals ability to survive. Coral reefs have had a hard time surviving through human pollution. Another negative effect humans have had on coral reefs is blast fishing. Blast fishing is when explosives or gun shots are sent into the reefs, which can completely destroy the reef structure.



Even though we do alot of negative things to the coral reef, we sometimes help it, too. For example: Scientists figured out that we could transplant heat-resistant algae into the coral reefs that can prevent bleaching them.(in some cases) It raises the coral reefs heat resistance, so that global warming is less of a problem for the reefs.



A problem with what we are doing to the coral reef is: We are over-fishing in the Reefs. People are using innappropriate fishing techniques. We can solve this by making large fish reserves. Fishing is central to the livelihood and food security of 200 million people.Over fishing has led the near-extinction of not only many species of fish, but also other marine organisms, including coral reefs.

Millions of people in coastal areas around the world depend on coral reefs. Reefs are important because they provide: coastal protection, jobs, food, medicines, and recreational opportunities. Sadly, the health of coral reefs has been declining for over 20 years. About 20 percent of the world's reefs are now severely damaged and unlikely to recover. One major cause in the health of coral reefs is the increase in our industrial, agricultural and energy practices in the last 150 years has contributed to a build up of 'Greenhouse' gases in the atmosphere. This can bleach and damage the coral.

This is a big problems but there are some ways you can help. By doing a few simple things you can help save the reefs. One thing you can do is to not buy aerosol cans that are powered by CFC gases. Another thing you can do is take public transport when you're going somewhere rather than your own car. the Emissions from automobiles are the 2nd largest source of greenhouse gases. These things might seem small but they can help solve the problems of climate change.

BiomesFifth10 Coral Reef Home Coral Reef Fiction Coral Reef Facts Coral Reef Food Web

Coral Reef Bibliography