Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change
Coral reefs are iconic, threatened ecosystems that have been in existence for ∼500 million years, yet their continued ecological persistence seems doubtful at present. Anthropogenic modification of chemical and physical atmospheric dynamics that cause coral death by bleaching and newly emergent dise...
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ftnsoutheastern:oai:nsuworks.nova.edu:occ_facarticles-1076 2023-05-15T17:50:50+02:00 Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change Riegl, Bernhard Bruckner, Andy Coles, Steve L. Renaud, Philip Dodge, Richard E. 2009-04-11T07:00:00Z https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/65 unknown NSUWorks https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/65 Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles Coral Reef Conservation Global climate Change Phase shift Overfishing Coral Diseases Bleaching Ocean acidification Tourism Marine Reserve Marine Biology Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology article 2009 ftnsoutheastern 2022-04-10T21:21:01Z Coral reefs are iconic, threatened ecosystems that have been in existence for ∼500 million years, yet their continued ecological persistence seems doubtful at present. Anthropogenic modification of chemical and physical atmospheric dynamics that cause coral death by bleaching and newly emergent diseases due to increased heat and irradiation, as well as decline in calcification caused by ocean acidification due to increased CO2, are the most important large-scale threats. On more local scales, overfishing and destructive fisheries, coastal construction, nutrient enrichment, increased runoff and sedimentation, and the introduction of nonindigenous invasive species have caused phase shifts away from corals. Already ∼20% of the world's reefs are lost and ∼26% are under imminent threat. Conservation science of coral reefs is well advanced, but its practical application has often been lagging. Societal priorites, economic pressures, and legal/administrative systems of many countries are more prone to destroy rather than conserve coral-reef ecosystems. Nevertheless, many examples of successful conservation exist from the national level to community-enforced local action. When effectively managed, protected areas have contributed to regeneration of coral reefs and stocks of associated marine resources. Local communities often support coral-reef conservation in order to raise income potential associated with tourism and/or improved resource levels. Coral reefs create an annual income in S-Florida alone of over $4 billion. Thus, no conflict between development, societal welfare, and coral-reef conservation needs to exist. Despite growing threats, it is not too late for decisive action to protect and save these economically and ecologically high-value ecosystems. Conservation science plays a critical role in designing effective strategies. Article in Journal/Newspaper Ocean acidification Nova Southeastern University: NSU Works |
institution |
Open Polar |
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Nova Southeastern University: NSU Works |
op_collection_id |
ftnsoutheastern |
language |
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topic |
Coral Reef Conservation Global climate Change Phase shift Overfishing Coral Diseases Bleaching Ocean acidification Tourism Marine Reserve Marine Biology Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology |
spellingShingle |
Coral Reef Conservation Global climate Change Phase shift Overfishing Coral Diseases Bleaching Ocean acidification Tourism Marine Reserve Marine Biology Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Riegl, Bernhard Bruckner, Andy Coles, Steve L. Renaud, Philip Dodge, Richard E. Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change |
topic_facet |
Coral Reef Conservation Global climate Change Phase shift Overfishing Coral Diseases Bleaching Ocean acidification Tourism Marine Reserve Marine Biology Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology |
description |
Coral reefs are iconic, threatened ecosystems that have been in existence for ∼500 million years, yet their continued ecological persistence seems doubtful at present. Anthropogenic modification of chemical and physical atmospheric dynamics that cause coral death by bleaching and newly emergent diseases due to increased heat and irradiation, as well as decline in calcification caused by ocean acidification due to increased CO2, are the most important large-scale threats. On more local scales, overfishing and destructive fisheries, coastal construction, nutrient enrichment, increased runoff and sedimentation, and the introduction of nonindigenous invasive species have caused phase shifts away from corals. Already ∼20% of the world's reefs are lost and ∼26% are under imminent threat. Conservation science of coral reefs is well advanced, but its practical application has often been lagging. Societal priorites, economic pressures, and legal/administrative systems of many countries are more prone to destroy rather than conserve coral-reef ecosystems. Nevertheless, many examples of successful conservation exist from the national level to community-enforced local action. When effectively managed, protected areas have contributed to regeneration of coral reefs and stocks of associated marine resources. Local communities often support coral-reef conservation in order to raise income potential associated with tourism and/or improved resource levels. Coral reefs create an annual income in S-Florida alone of over $4 billion. Thus, no conflict between development, societal welfare, and coral-reef conservation needs to exist. Despite growing threats, it is not too late for decisive action to protect and save these economically and ecologically high-value ecosystems. Conservation science plays a critical role in designing effective strategies. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Riegl, Bernhard Bruckner, Andy Coles, Steve L. Renaud, Philip Dodge, Richard E. |
author_facet |
Riegl, Bernhard Bruckner, Andy Coles, Steve L. Renaud, Philip Dodge, Richard E. |
author_sort |
Riegl, Bernhard |
title |
Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change |
title_short |
Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change |
title_full |
Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change |
title_fullStr |
Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change |
title_full_unstemmed |
Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change |
title_sort |
coral reefs: threats and conservation in an era of global change |
publisher |
NSUWorks |
publishDate |
2009 |
url |
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/65 |
genre |
Ocean acidification |
genre_facet |
Ocean acidification |
op_source |
Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles |
op_relation |
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/65 |
_version_ |
1766157750088237056 |