Global warming is not only effecting land animal habitats but it's also proving to have an enormous impact on water habitats too! The Coral reefs around the world provide homes to many different marine organisms. These habitats are in danger of dying because of the rising water temperature. In October of 2000, Indonesian scientists said that 25% of the world's reefs have already been destroyed because of global warming.
In 2002 it was recorded that 60% of Australia's Great Barrier Reef suffered from bleaching. Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that occurs when stressed or diseased coral expel the algae that gives them their bright colors. Bleaching can kill coral if it happens over a long period of time. Rising water temperatures causes bleaching and makes the reefs more susceptible to disease.
Biologists have also discovered that coral is dying off in the U.S. Virgin Islands that have existed since the voyages of Columbus. The Global Coral Reef Alliance described this problem as an "underwater holocaust." These losses have caused scientists and biologists to believe that many of the existing reefs may be dead within 50 years because coral cannot heal in a hostile environment.
Can bleaching affect other parts of the coral reefs ecosystem? Does it poison the fish, or pollute the water?
ReplyDeleteThis is scary! What do you think will happen with "underwater holocaust?" It is very interesting what you have posted. Is there any harm with the oceanic water in Maine?
ReplyDeleteI have heard that the coral reefs are in danger. How does the coral bleaching affect the animals?
ReplyDeleteWow, the part about the coral reef in the US Virgin islands is intense. To be calling it an underwater holocaust then you know that's really bad. Coral reefs are the homes to oh so many species, if their dying then the animals die too.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that the coral reef will just start to build in more northern areas like on the coast of Florida and Georgia? And since it probably affects other areas, if everything just moved more north, would that work?
ReplyDeleteWhen the coral dies off does it effect the environment around it? When it dies off how long does it take for it to decay and disappear? I mean can animals still live in it? Very sad though!
ReplyDeleteNice job Nikki, you should read my blog I wrote last time on Coral reefs. Coral reefs are also effected by boating traffic and tourism. Coral reefs are delicate ecosystems. Even stepping on a piece of live coral can kill the small organisms living in it.
ReplyDeleteCoral reefs are home to so many animals. And many animals either hide from their predators there, or the predators hunt the animals around it for food. If the coral reefs disappear then the whole ecosystem of the ocean, and eventually it will effect people too.
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