API: Marine Ecosystem: Coral Reefs: Course Outline: Coral Reefs

Course Outline

This module looks for an improved understanding of the dynamics of coral reef ecosystems. Tropical coral reefs provide habitat for variety of living creatures. "Coral reefs and associated ecosystems are invaluable human treasures. They support the most diverse marine communities and beautiful seascape on the planet, and provide wave-resistant structures for local communities, fisheries, and tourism. However, coral reefs and associated ecosystems are now under serious threat of collapse because of over fishing, development of the coastal zone, including dredging and landfill, and terrestrial run-off. Moreover, the increase in sea surface temperatures, the decrease in carbonate levels as well as sea-level rise, caused by increasing anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere, all act synergistically to stress coral reefs, which lead to severe bleaching and extensive coral mortality. The degradation of coral reefs by local, regional, and global environmental stresses is at the very least destroying the health, function, and positive values associated with coral reefs, and at the worst leading to loss of this treasure." (Okinawa Declaration on Conservation and Restoration of Endangered Coral Reefs of the World, 10th International Coral Reef Symposium)

Decreasing stocks of fish caused imbalance in the coral ecosystem through lessened removal of epilithic algae and sediments. Nutrient and sediment runoff from land has increased due to cultivation, public works, etc. Another factor which is affecting corals adversely is global warming, which directly damage corals through higher sea surface temperature or indirectly through increased cases of typhoons and cyclones. Corals are becoming progressively more vulnerable owing to fishing pressure, pollution, and coral bleaching. In many parts of the world corals have undergone a rapid shift to a phase where they fail to regenerate, making a case for restoration of degraded reefs.