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Importance of Coral Reefs
As coral reefs only cover less than one percent of the ocean's area, they require very careful management in order to maintain their unique environment and characteristics. The conservation of these areas are vital to about 25% of marine species and over one billion people in the world. The biodiversity of this biome is second to none and the resources it provides to people towards people living in third world countries that allow them to live.
Conservation Strategies-Reduce the use of vehicles as the carbon dioxide released contributes to climate change and ultimately hurts the coral reef biome.
-Globally ban dynamite fishing as it severely damages both the structure and organisms that are present in the area. -Educate the general population on the importance of coral reefs and how it affects their daily life eg. Oxygen is being released in the process photosynthesis. -Reduce littering as the rubbish left on the ground has a possibility of entering a coral reef and killing a plant or animal. A good way to do this would reduce the usage of plastic bags and rather use renewable ones. Glossary
Conservation: to prevent the loss, damage or change or something Biodiversity: to have a high variety of animal and plant organisms in a particular habitat Dynamite fishing: the act of using explosives to quickly yield groups of fish Ocean acidification: the increase of acid in an ocean as a result of the rise in carbon dioxide present |
How does climate change affect a coral reef biome?Climate change is a major threat to the damaging of coral reefs and will continue until major action is taken. Because the general structure of a coral reef consists calcium carbonate (limestone) that is secreted by hard corals, further development and regrowth may be much more difficult as these particular organisms are extremely vulnerable to a rise in sea temperature and ocean acidification.
Coral Bleaching Coral bleaching is when the symbiotic algae leaves the organism as a result of abnormal temperatures, nutrients or sunlight. This causes the coral to become white. The lack of algae also causes the coral to have a higher chance of dying and increases the amount of stress it is under. |