I'm sure you have heard about the challenges faced by our coral reefs. Researchers are saying that from 25% to 50% and more of our corals reefs are showing definite decline due to pollution, changes in water temperature, and other effects that can be attributed to man-made activities.
Because of the low level of nutrients in tropical waters, coral reefs have often been described as oases in the desert. And we are still learning just how they are able to survive in such a beautiful but harsh environment.
A recent report explores one component that contributes to the delicate web of a healthy reef: cave sponges. Marine biologist Jasper de Goeij has been studying the role that these basic multi-celled animals play in maintaining the nutritional cycle of the coral reef. His studies show that corals and algae dispense organic compounds that few creatures can use as food. The sponges, however, filter this particulate matter as part of its normal process in filtering vast amounts of water to extract what little nutrients are available.
To protect and sustain itself against this intake of organic material (that can include viruses, bacteria, and other poisons) the sponge is continually rejuvenating cells and the dead cells it sheds form an organic material that can be utilized by many organisms on the reef. In this way, a cycle of mutual dependence is formed.
While our attention is often focused on the most colorful of the basic reef builders, the coral, we must always remember that a coral reef is a complex system with many organisms, plant and animal, playing important roles - sometimes behind the scenes and out of view - in maintaining a healthy tropical ecosystem.
For those of you (or your friends) seeking a good overview of information on coral reefs, but are plagued with a busy schedule or a short attention span, visit Microdocs.com. This is a site put together under the direction of Dr. Steve Palumbi, Director of the Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University in California.
The site contains a wide variety of short Flash videos - all very succinct and visually interesting. From the Bahamas to Palau, from the Turks to Micronesia, the videos discuss reef ecology, the intricate relationship between it inhabitants, what is impacting the reef, and solutions for future sustainability.
Remember, reef environments make up only 5% on the ocean's real estate but are home to 25% of all sealife. Even if you don't live in a tropical region, the health of our tropical reefs can have a direct impact on all of our lives. Microdocs - check it out.
Here in the U.S., we have been enduring a lot of bad news (on the economic front) and a lot of bull (from the politicians) this past week. For marine conservationists struggling to get their voices heard amongst these issues that are impacting the day-to-day lives of the average Americans, it can be a bit frustrating. I know it gets me bouncing off the walls at times.
So, in the interests of sanity, let's take a moment and settle back into some of our favorite oceanic images. Here are some of mine. Pull out your favorite photos, slides, videos, or books and let's all take a collective sigh, relax a bit . . .
Kudos to the Coral Reef Alliance for posting a great video by Drew Wohl that highlights how coral reefs are impacted by man-made development. At Akumal, at the Yucatan Peninsula, expanding development is adversely affecting turtle breeding grounds and affecting the overall health of the reef due to sewage (whether treated or not) that causes an increase in algae and bacteria growth.
This is not a unique phenomenon. Supposedly processed sewage disposed at sea has been shown to have detrimental effects worldwide - from California to the Caribbean. The video the Coral Alliance posted is not all gloom and doom. It shows the benefits of marine protected areas, such as can be found in Cozumel, and how they can protect the health of the reef and, in so doing, support the tourist trade in a more environmentally sensible fashion.
I'm sure you have heard about the challenges faced by our coral reefs. Researchers are saying that from 25% to 50% and more of our corals reefs are showing definite decline due to pollution, changes in water temperature, and other effects that can be attributed to man-made activities.
To protect and sustain itself against this intake of organic material (that can include viruses, bacteria, and other poisons) the sponge is continually rejuvenating cells and the dead cells it sheds form an organic material that can be utilized by many organisms on the reef. In this way, a cycle of mutual dependence is formed.
