What Is Being Done To Preserve Coral Reefs

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Scientists and researchers all around the world are closely monitoring the current condition of coral reef ecosystems to make sure that they make the best decision when working with the coral. It is important for people to stay updated on the situation. They do so through the use of various technologies and a number of different techniques.

There are a number of environmental factors that have an impact on reef ecosystems and influence the behavior of coral and various reef organisms. One of the most important factors is the temperature of the ocean. The rising temperature of ocean water stresses the coral, causing it to releases its symbiont zooxanthellae, which produces almost all of the corals food. This results in the bleaching of coral. In addition to this, another environmental concern is the increasing pollution in the ocean. Sediments and other pollutants tend to smother reefs and prevent further reef growth which can be detrimental to the survival of the reef. Pollution can also make corals more susceptible to certain diseases and prevent some corals from reproducing. By keeping close tabs on these factors, scientists can help limit the effects of these threats, and sometimes completely prevent them.

There are number of reef organisms that scientists use as indicators of both the condition of the coral reefs and of the ecosystem as a whole. These organisms are unique in that they are highly sensitive and respond to changes in the environment. By monitoring these organisms for changes in behavior and population, scientists can detect when something is wrong in the reef system. One of the most common indicator organisms is the butterflyfish, which can be found on coral reefs all around the world. They typically occupy shallow reefs and have a high population when the reef is healthy. A large decline in butterflyfish population more than often means that the reef in unhealthy. In addition to organisms such as the butterflyfish that directly indicate the condition of the reef, some organisms are used as indicators of environmental factors. For instance, giant clams are used as indicators of aragonite or dissolved calcium levels, as they are dependent on the calcium for shell growth. Thus, by using certain organisms as indicators and keeping track of them, scientists can figure out if something is wrong in the reef system and can more accurately determine what the source of the issue is.

Various organizations employ some of the latest technology in monitoring coral reef ecosystems. One of the important pieces of technology that is used is satellites. NOAA's Coral Reef Watch program uses a variety of satellite technologies to monitor the oceans temperature, as well as elevated sea surface temperatures. Satellites are also used to detect algae blooms which can smother coral reefs. Along with satellites, scientists also survey reef communities to collect data on certain locations. This is mainly done through scuba divers who use a variety of tools, such as transect lines, to evaluate a certain reef location.