Coral Ecosystems Landbased Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs
Coral Ecosystems: Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs
Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs
Outline • Coral biology • Value of coral reefs • Land-based pollution impacts • Management actions • Teaching resources
Outline • Coral biology • Value of coral reefs • Land-based pollution impacts • Management actions • Teaching resources
What is coral? Plant Animal Both?
Coral is as an animal with an algal symbiont Source: NOAA
Reef building corals require: • Warm water: 75 – 85 Fahrenheit degrees • Light: Shallow and sediment free waters • Salinity: 34 – 37 ppt PCS
Coral reef distribution Source: http: //oceanservice. noaa. gov/education/kits/corals/media/supp_coral 05 a. html
Outline • Coral biology • Value of coral reefs • Known effects of landbased pollution • Management actions • Teaching resources
Coral reefs are valuable • • Biodiversity Fisheries Shoreline protection Pharmaceuticals Tourism Education Culture Social values
Coral reefs: rainforests of the sea How many species of fish live on reefs? A. 40 B. 400 C. 4000 PCS
Coral reefs protect the shore-line
Reefs are important economically Hawaii: • Net benefits = $360 million year • Overall asset value MHI = $10 billion Study by: Cesar & van Beukering 2004
Many threats to Coral Reefs Key threats to US reefs: • Over-fishing • Land-based sources of pollution • Recreational overuse/misuse • Lack of public awareness • Climate change & coral bleaching • Disease
Outline • Coral biology • Value of coral reefs • Land-based pollution impacts • Management actions • Teaching resources
Land sea are connected
Photo’s courtesy of Malama Maunalua
Many sources of land-based pollution
Runoff threatens coral reefs globally Models estimate that 22% of all coral reefs world-wide are at high or medium threat from inland pollution and soil erosion. (Bryant et al. 1998). USGS
Runoff impacts growth & survival of hard coral colonies Bill Walsh DAR
Sediments reduce light and decrease coral growth
Sediments smother coral & sloughing wastes energy
• Coral settlement rates are near zero on sediment covered surfaces • Sediment tolerance is lower in new recruits
Runoff effects reef community structure Honolua Bay, Maui
Outline • Coral biology • Value of coral reefs • Land-based pollution impacts • Management actions • Teaching resources
Managing land-based pollution • US Coral Reef Task Force formed • Addressing key threats to reefs is a national priority • Development of local action strategies More information: http: //coralreef. gov
Taking action to: • Reduce pollutant loads • Increase understanding through scientific research & monitoring • Increase awareness
Thank you
- Slides: 28