Project Reef (Save Our Oceans)

Hello all, today I would like to share awareness about coral reefs and the important role they play in not only marine life but our lives as well. If you are not already aware they are being affected by a major disturbance known as coral bleaching that is destroying these amazing organisms and the vital roles they play for us all.

What are coral reefs and corals?
Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems that are home to nearly 25% of all marine life on the planet. Large coral reefs are composed of skeletons of coral which are made up of individual corals referred to as a “polyp”. Polyps live on and build off of the exoskeletons of their ancestors being able to grow by adding their own exoskeletons over centuries to resemble those we often refer to today. Corals are found all over the world and generally reside in warmer tropical waters and the largest are found in clear, shallow ocean waters. There are many types of coral, over 2,500 known species, split between hard coral that build upon coral reefs and soft coral that are flexible and are able to bend in the water

Coral reef found in the waters of Cancun

https://www.ecowatch.com/coral-reef-insurance-policy-2464648651.html

Photos of Brain Coral and Fire Coral

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-does-fire-coral-look-2963123

What is so important about coral?
Corals reefs make up one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. They support millions of marine species either directly or indirectly and are estimated to only make up 1% of the ocean floor. Vital for marine life, they also play a large role in regulating climate on the planet. Healthy coral reefs are capable of producing what is known as DMSP that is influenced by the increase in water temperatures. Increased amounts of DMSP can cause the formation of clouds which in turn reflect the sun’s heat back into space. Corals are also home to photosynthetic algae that live in the tissues of coral. The photosynthetic algae found in coral contribute a significant amount of oxygen to the atmosphere and are vital to maintaining greenhouse gases. The role corals play in the environment is priceless but it is estimated that they contribute to over $30 billion in economic value. Over 500 million people rely on coral reefs for their food and contribute to nearly a quarter of the total fish caught in developing countries. Millions of people reside next to shorelines and coral reefs are capable of protecting shorelines from wave action that prevents erosion, property damage, and loss of lives. These incredible creatures play not only a vital role for marine animals but for our own. They are capable, resilient, and beautiful having scientists defining them as quite possibly the most important organism on our planet.

What is happening to Coral reefs?
Coral reefs are victims of​ what is known as “coral bleaching” which is a result of the surrounding waters that they reside in becoming warmer. They then respond by expelling the algae (zooxanthellae) that live in their tissues that are vital for nutrient uptake and photosynthesis. This response causes the coral to turn completely white and lose the colors that we know. Although it may be commonly believed that bleaching kills the coral but in fact they are not dead. They are actually in a state of distress and are subject to higher mortality. Coral bleaching is only getting worse as climate change and other human activities takes a toll on the sensitive ranges that these creatures reside in but there is a chance to help save them from their demise. As human beings, it is our responsibility to stay aware of our carbon footprint and keep greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. Every little bit helps in the battle against climate change and maintain the temperatures needed for corals to continue to flourish. If you wish to do more, there are many conservation and research groups that are looking into ways to protect these organisms such as The Nature Conservancy and the Coral Reef Alliance who look into increasing the likelihood of reef recovery from major disturbances.

Help spread awareness by upvoting, resteeming, and sharing. Everyone can make a difference and hope we as a community can make a difference.

Below are links to The Nature Conservancy and to the Coral Reef Alliance donation pages if anyone would like to make a donation to aid in the preservation of coral reefs.

The Nature Conservancy
https://support.nature.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5720&5720.donation=form1

Coral Reef Alliance
https://coral.org

All information can be found directly from The Nature Conservancy and the NOAA.