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

Coral Bleaching

www.gbrmpa.gov.au

www.science.uts.edu.au

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 ??