Oceans & Ice - Haggard Earth

Details: Written by: Glenn and Rick; Category: Water & Ice; Hits: 110

Corals are endangered......Why are corals threatened? 90% of coral reefs could disappear by 2050. Coral Guardian Coral reefs are damaged due to an accumulation of threats resulting from human activities. Overfishing, pollution and coastal development are at the top of the list of chronic stressors. Others are dredged or sandblasted for their limestone or to improve access and navigational safety. In addition, long-term global changes (rising sea temperatures and CO2 levels), storms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions also affect coral reefs.

CORAL BLEACHING...Following a stress that can be caused by various factors, coral will no longer recognize the zooxanthella as its symbiote. In this case, the symbiosis between corals and their zooxanthellae stops, leading to the loss of these micro-algae and a rapid bleaching of the coral host.

Ocean warming is the main factor in coral bleaching. Ocean surface water temperature has increased by an average of 0.5°C since 1860. The IPCC predicts an increase in average air temperature of 1.5°C by 2030 to 2050. The surface waters of the oceans will therefore continue to warm. If ocean surface temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and severity of coral bleaching will also increase, likely affecting the ability of coral reefs to adapt and provide most of the services we demand of them..

Overfishing..... The increased demand for fish has led to overfishing of reef species. Overfishing of certain species can easily affect the ecological balance and biodiversity of the reef. For example, overfishing of herbivorous fish can lead to high levels of algal growth that can suffocate coral.

Destructive fishing methods.....Fishing with dynamite and cyanide makes the fish easier to catch. These practices cannot target one species in particular, they destroy everything and permanently so where they are used. Damaging coral reefs has consequences for the entire reef ecosystem, and thus has an immediate impact on the livelihood of related fishermen.

Unsustainable tourism......Tourism generates large amounts of income for host countries. When unregulated, the pressures of tourism can cause damage to the surrounding environment: careless divers, badly placed boat anchors, hotels discharging untreated wastewater (polluting the water, creating sedimentation, while encouraging the growth of algae that compete with corals).....READ ON https://www.coralguardian.org/en/coral-reefs-at-risk/

AND....... Illegal Fishing Could Destroy Essential Whale Shark Habitat- To protect a thriving population of Endangered Whale Sharks, among other threatened species, we must work quickly to safeguard over 695,000 acres of marine habitat in Madagascar. Without intervention, this potential UNESCO World Heritage Marine Site will continue to be threatened by growing tourism, illegal fishing, and pollution. Join us and our local partner in protecting this essential habitat. Illegal Fishing Could Destroy Essential Whale Shark Habitat- and- Overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and unsustainable tourism threaten a rich ecosystem of coral reefs, fish, sharks, cetaceans and sea turtles in the Indian Ocean....check it out https://www.rainforesttrust.org/urgent-projects/create-a-shark-park-and-stop-overfishing-in-madagascar/

Details: Written by: Glenn and Rick; Category: Water & Ice; Hits: 66

Corals are endangered......Why are corals threatened? 90% of coral reefs could disappear by 2050. Coral Guardian Coral reefs are damaged due to an accumulation of threats resulting from human activities. Overfishing, pollution and coastal development are at the top of the list of chronic stressors. Others are dredged or sandblasted for their limestone or to improve access and navigational safety. In addition, long-term global changes (rising sea temperatures and CO2 levels), storms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions also affect coral reefs.

CORAL BLEACHING...Following a stress that can be caused by various factors, coral will no longer recognize the zooxanthella as its symbiote. In this case, the symbiosis between corals and their zooxanthellae stops, leading to the loss of these micro-algae and a rapid bleaching of the coral host.

Ocean warming is the main factor in coral bleaching. Ocean surface water temperature has increased by an average of 0.5°C since 1860. The IPCC predicts an increase in average air temperature of 1.5°C by 2030 to 2050. The surface waters of the oceans will therefore continue to warm. If ocean surface temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and severity of coral bleaching will also increase, likely affecting the ability of coral reefs to adapt and provide most of the services we demand of them.

OVERFISHING..... The increased demand for fish has led to overfishing of reef species. Overfishing of certain species can easily affect the ecological balance and biodiversity of the reef. For example, overfishing of herbivorous fish can lead to high levels of algal growth that can suffocate coral.

DESTRCTIVE METHODS ......Fishing with dynamite and cyanide makes the fish easier to catch. These practices cannot target one species in particular, they destroy everything and permanently so where they are used. Damaging coral reefs has consequences for the entire reef ecosystem, and thus has an immediate impact on the livelihood of related fishermen.

UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM.....Tourism generates large amounts of income for host countries. When unregulated, the pressures of tourism can cause damage to the surrounding environment: careless divers, badly placed boat anchors, hotels discharging untreated wastewater (polluting the water, creating sedimentation, while encouraging the growth of algae that compete with corals).....read on keep on scrolling https://www.coralguardian.org/en/coral-reefs-at-risk/

Details: Written by: Glenn and Rick; Category: Water & Ice; Hits: 84

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. NOAA Coral polyps, the animals primarily responsible for building reefs, can take many forms: large reef building colonies, graceful flowing fans, and even small, solitary organisms. Thousands of species of corals have been discovered; some live in warm, shallow, tropical seas and others in the cold, dark depths of the ocean.

Coral reef diversity.....Because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by corals, reefs are often called the "rainforests of the sea." About 25% of the ocean's fish depend on healthy coral reefs. Fishes and other organisms shelter, find food, reproduce, and rear their young in the many nooks and crannies formed by corals. The Northwest Hawaiian Island coral reefs, which are part of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument, provide an example of the diversity of life associated with shallow-water reef ecosystems. This area supports more than 7,000 species of fishes, invertebrates, plants, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. Deep water reefs or mounds are less well known, but also support a wide array of sea life in a comparatively barren world.

Coral characteristics.....Shallow water, reef-building corals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which live in their tissues. The coral provides a protected environment and the compounds zooxanthellae need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae produce carbohydrates that the coral uses for food, as well as oxygen. The algae also help the coral remove waste. Since both partners benefit from association, this type of symbiosis is called mutualism. Deep-sea corals live in much deeper or colder oceanic waters and lack zooxanthellae. Unlike their shallow water relatives, which rely heavily on photosynthesis to produce food, deep sea corals take in plankton and organic matter for much of their energy needs.

Benefits of coral reef ecosystems......Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also a source of food and new medicines. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection. Fishing, diving, and snorkeling on and near reefs add hundreds of millions of dollars to local businesses. The net economic value of the world’s coral reefs is estimated to be nearly tens of billionsoffsite link of U.S. dollars per year. These ecosystems are culturally important to indigenous people around the world.

Threats to coral reef ecosystems.......Unfortunately, coral reef ecosystems are severely threatened. Some threats are natural, such as diseases, predators, and storms. Other threats are caused by people, including pollution, sedimentation, unsustainable fishing practices, and climate change, which is raising ocean temperatures and causing ocean acidification. Many of these threats can stress corals, leading to coral bleaching and possible death, while others cause physical damage to these delicate ecosystems. During the 2014-2017 coral bleaching event, unusually warm waters (partially associated with a strong El Niño) affected 70% of coral reef ecosystems worldwide. Some areas were hit particularly hard, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, where hundreds of miles of coral were bleached.

Corals are able to recover from bleaching events if conditions improve before they die, though it can take many years for the ecosystems to fully heal. Scientists are also testing new ways to help coral reef ecosystems, such as growing coral in a nursery and then transplanting it to damaged areas.........read on and explore the many links https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/marine-life/coral-reef-ecosystems

Details: Written by: Glenn and Rick; Category: Water & Ice; Hits: 61

Climate Change Impacts on the Ocean and Marine Resources. Overview.....The ocean is an essential part of the global environment. It influences climate and weather around the world and is home to millions of different forms of life.1 Thriving marine ecosystems provide Americans with food, medicines, jobs, and recreation. The ocean also connects people to nature and is critical to some Indigenous cultures.

More Common and Severe Extreme Marine Events....Rising water temperatures, acidification, and low oxygen levels can combine with natural ocean cycles to create extreme marine events. Marine heat waves, dead zones, and coral bleaching are just a few examples of these events, which are projected to become more common and severe.10 Extreme events can harm marine ecosystems and communities connected to these systems. For example, a large heat wave off the West Coast in 2014 shut down crab fisheries and starved baby sea lions.11.Increasing emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels are causing changes in the ocean (see box). These changes can alter which species of marine life thrive best in certain areas. For example, many fish have shifted their typical range as water temperatures rise.2 However, other species are expected to decline in number or leave areas that are no longer favorable for them.3 These shifts can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and on fishing communities.4

Many climate change impacts will only be avoided by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.5 Climate-driven changes in the ocean are motivating people to find solutions to the new challenges. For example, new forecast tools are helping predict changes in ocean conditions that can help the fishing industry adapt. Many organizations are working together to protect coral reefs, which face hazards such as bleaching, infectious diseases, smothering from sediment, collapses in fish stocks, and other issues. Such strategies can help preserve and protect marine resources. Even with these efforts, however, it will take decades or longer for the ocean to recover.

Explore these topics to learn more about climate impacts on the ocean and marine resources:

Top Climate Impacts on the Ocean and Marine Resources. Climate change affects the ocean in many ways. Three key impacts are described in this section. 1. Changes in Ocean Ecosystems...Climate changes to the physical and chemical makeup of the ocean have significant impacts on marine ecosystems. For example, water temperature influences which species can live in an area. Acidification affects many animals’ ability to make shells or skeletons, while low oxygen levels can contribute to hypoxia, or dead zones. Warm temperatures can exacerbate the effects of both acidification and hypoxia.6Impacts on one species can ripple across an entire ecosystem. For example, plankton—tiny organisms at the bottoms of many marine food chains—are sensitive to water temperatures and oxygen concentrations. They can die off if the water gets too warm. Animals farther up the food chain, like whales, can suffer food shortages when this happens. Climate changes to the marine environment will come in many forms. For instance, the diversity of some temperate ecosystems is expected to increase.7 But overall, climate change is projected to disrupt marine ecosystems in ways that reduce the services they provide and their diversity of life.82 More Common and Severe Extreme Marine Events Rising water temperatures, acidification, and low oxygen levels can combine with natural ocean cycles to create extreme marine events. Marine heat waves, dead zones, and coral bleaching are just a few examples of these events, which are projected to become more common and severe.10 Extreme events can harm marine ecosystems and communities connected to these systems. For example, a large heat wave off the West Coast in 2014 shut down crab fisheries and starved baby sea lions.11.
Impacts on Marine Fisheries.... Commercial and recreational marine fisheries in some regions are at high risk from climate-driven changes in the size and distribution of fish populations ......read on https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-impacts-ocean-and-marine-resources#impacts
For more on all this- click on.......
The Marine Environment and the Economy
Population Impacts
What We Can Do
Related Resources

Details: Written by: Glenn and Rick; Category: Water & Ice; Hits: 120

World coming up short on promised marine sanctuaries.Brest (France) (AFP) – A global target of having 30 percent of the oceans become protected areas by 2030 is looking more fragile than ever, with little progress and the United States backing away, conservationists say.Oceana 02 06 2025"With less than 10 percent of the ocean designated as MPAs (marine protected areas) and only 2.7 percent fully or highly protected, it is going to be difficult to reach the 30 percent target," said Lance Morgan, head of the Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, Washington. The institute maps the MPAs for an online atlas, updating moves to meet the 30 percent goal that 196 countries signed onto in 2022, under the Kunling-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The ambition is notably at risk because "we see countries like the US reversing course and abandoning decades of bipartisan efforts" to protect areas of the Pacific Ocean, Morgan said that referred to an April executive order by President Donald Trump authorising industrial-scale fishing in big swathes of an MPA in that ocean. Currently, there are 16,516 declared MPAs in the world, covering just 8.4 percent of the oceans.

But not all are created equal: some forbid all forms of fishing, while others place no roles, or almost none, on what activities are proscribed or permitted. "Only a third of them have levels of protection that would yield proper benefits" for fish, said Joachim Claudet, a socio-ecology marine researcher at France's CNRS. Daniel Pauly, a professor of fisheries science at Canada's University of British Columbia, said "the marine protected areas have not really been proposed for the protection of biodiversity" but "to increase fish catches". A proper MPA "exports fish to non-protected zones, and that should be the main reason that we create marine protected areas -- they are needed to have fish", he said.When fish populations are left to reproduce and grow in protected areas, there is often a spillover effect that sees fish stocks outside the zones also rise, as several scientific journals have noted, especially around a no-fishing MPA in Hawaiian waters that is the biggest in the world. One 2022 study in the Science journal showed a 54 percent increase in yellowfin tuna around that Hawaiian MPA, an area now threatened by Trump's executive order, Pauly said.

Fishing bans.....For such sanctuaries to work, there need to be fishing bans over all or at least some of their zones....read on https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250602-world-coming-up-short-on-promised-marine-sanctuaries

90% of Coral Reefs could Disappear by 2050.

Corals are Endangered......Why are Corals Threatened?

Coral Reefs are some of the Most Diverse Ecosystems in the World

Climate Change Impacts on the Ocean and Marine Resources.

Global Target of 30 percent of the Oceans Protected areas by 2030 is looking More Fragile than ever

More Articles …

User Menu