Threats to Coral Reefs
The following is a list of the threats affecting coral reefs:
- Overexploitation for food, aquarium commerce, souvenir trade, and medical uses.
- Destructive fishing methods that cause irreparable harm, such as blast fishing, purse seining, fine-mesh fishing, “Moxy” nets, and cyanide fishing, frequently go hand in hand with overfishing. Coral reefs are harmed by “Moxy” nets, fine-mesh nets, and bottom trawlers.
- Coral reefs in the vicinity are also suffering from marine pollution brought on by ship trash, ship ballast water discharge, and oil, which frequently leaks into the oceans.
- Coral reefs are negatively impacted by poorly managed tourism in both direct and indirect ways. Direct physical damage to reefs can result from snorkeling, diving, and boating, and overharvesting reef species for human consumption, aquarium use, and tourist markets poses a threat to their continued existence.
- Coral reefs are already in danger, and the threat from climate change and global warming is increasing.
- Ocean acidification, coral bleaching, sea level rise, rising ocean temperatures, and increased dissolved carbon dioxide all pose threats to coral reefs.
Coral Reefs: Types, Importance and Threats
Coral reef is an oceanic ecosystem that is made up of corals that construct reefs. Reefs are constructed by coral polyp colonies that are connected by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are composed of stony corals, whose polyps cluster. Coral belongs to the animal group Cnidaria’s class Anthozoa, which includes sea anemones and jellyfish. The majority of reefs thrive in warm, shallow, clear, bright, and turbulent water. In this article, we will look into the meaning, formation, types, and importance of Coral Reefs.