Coral reefs have formed a valuable link in the costal ecosystem and Caribbean coral reefs have been long considered one of the major such ecosystems in the world. However, according to a recently concluded study, scientists have uncovered the gradual extinction of these valuable coral reefs along with its entire ecosystem.
In an article published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) has come to the conclusion that, “Coral reefs throughout the Caribbean have been comprehensively ‘flattened’ over the last 40 years.” They arrived at this conclusion by analyzing the changes in the structure of reefs using 500 surveys across 200 reefs conducted between 1969 and 2008. According to their findings, by 2008, over 75% of the reefs have lost its complex structure in comparison to around 20% of the coral reefs having a flattened structure in 1970s.
However, the scientists also believe there were two instances where massive coral reef destruction has taken place. In one instance, a disease destroyed almost 90% of all Elkhorn and Staghorn corals in the late 1970s and in recent times, human induced climate change is causing the most destruction. In general, scientists have uncovered that increasing intensity and the frequency of coral bleaching is the underlying cause for the gradual coral reef destruction.
According to an article in Times Online, UK, researchers have found that ocean acid levels are gradually rising due to the increasing amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels. While certain amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean waters will be of use to its biology, an increasing amount of carbon dioxide will cause carbonic acid to accumulate and therefore to lower the ocean water pH levels. The increasing acidity will cause coral reefs to bleach and shell-forming organisms to extinct, as they are unable to form a shell or reproduce. At the same time, rise of the sea water levels could also contribute to the damage caused to the coral reefs. These damages are in addition to the direct human interference in the formation of coral reefs.
The downside of gradually depleting Caribbean coral reefs or in the depletion of any coral reef for that matter, is the loss of a valuable ecosystem. Depleting coral reefs will prevent organisms and sea creatures taking refuge inside these complex structures and would fall easy prey for the larger creatures. At the same time, the coral reefs usually diminish the enormous sea current reaching the shores and in its absence, widespread flooding and sea erosion could take place. For people living near the coastal areas, destruction of coral reefs would mean losing the livelihood. In total, the loss of livelihood from absent coral reefs could be estimated at around 172 billion dollars per year.
Thus, it is evident from the studies that Caribbean coral reefs are in the brink of being wiped out and if proper interventions are not done sooner, it may be too late to act. However, scientists have also found a new technique of growing peripheral coral reefs where most scientists believe where the conservation efforts should be focused. Thus, hope is not lost for saving the Caribbean coral reefs and a concerted effort is required by everyone concerned to save these magnificent ecosystems.
