EarthWatch

The second longest barrier reef...DOA?

The second longest barrier reef in our seas is the Caribbean Barrier Reef off of the coast of Central America (Mexico, Beliez, Hondoras...). And this reef is in trouble. If we don't act soon it will be DOA!

Coral reefs are exposed to many natural and anthropogenic (human based) threats. A few anthropogenic activities that are harmful to corals include coastal development, over fishing, oil discharge, dumping of garbage, as well as, sedimentation and pollution from agricultural runoff.

Some natural occurrences that can also negatively affect coral reefs are global climate change, coral bleaching, hurricanes, and disease. Anthropogenic activities have the potential to amplify the negative effects of natural occurrences on coral reefs systems.

One example of this synergistic relationship is the increase in greenhouse gases (GHG’s) from industrial byproducts, their contribution to global climate change, and coral bleaching. The rapid accumulation of GHG’s in the atmosphere has already altered the global climate. The average temperature of the earth has increased 0.6°C to 0.8°C in the past 100 years. By 2070, global climate models expect atmospheric temperatures in the Caribbean region will rise 2°C and 4°C. Since present sea surface Bleaching causes coral to lose its natural color and turn white. Hypotheses exist that increases in sea surface temperatures (SST) and hence, climate change, is the most common cause of bleaching over wide areas.temperatures (SST) are close to the higher temperature levels for coral survival, bleaching is predicted to become a yearly event by 2020.

posted by Moon Shadow @ 11:04 AM