The Destruction of Coral Reefs

By Colin Regan

JRN 100 Staff Reporter

A study conducted in 2021 by One Earth titled “Global decline in capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services”, analyzed the conditions of coral around the world concluded that the destruction is happening at a rapid pace, and faster than ever. This study found that the capacity for wildlife of the coral reefs to provide ecosystem services that are relied on by millions worldwide, has declined by 50% since the 1950s according to a recent report. Experts are not surprised by these staggering numbers, since the damage to the coral reefs has been a known issue for years. The problem is the lack of solutions.

Les Kaufman, a professor of biology at Boston University said that everyone seems to agree that the coral reefs are being damaged at a rapid pace, however he fears little is being done to reverse the damage.

“The existence of these impacts and their profundity, from climate change to overkill to pollution, is not at all overlooked. Actually, doing anything about them is what is being overlooked...or at least the corrective actions being taken are insufficient,” said Kaufman.

The coral reefs do more than expected, and our vital to our planet. The reefs have been known to protect coastlines from storms and erosion, as well as provide jobs to local communities. According to a study conducted by the National Ocean Service, the net economic value of the world’s coral reefs is estimated to be tens of billions of U.S. dollars per year.

The damage being done to the world’s coral reefs is at an all-time high. “What is happening to coral reefs is just one gut-punch example of cumulative human impacts on the biosphere,” said Kaufman.

The three main causes for the damage done to the coral reefs are climate change, destructive fishing habits, and coastal pollution. Climate change impacts the coral because of the rise in water temperatures. This leads to a process called coral bleaching, which is when coral expel their algae living in their tissues and turn completely white, according to the study conducted by One Earth

“Coral bleaching often leads to coral death, which is like the house burning down to all other reef inhabitants,” said Kaufman.

Destructive fishing habits such as dredging, quarrying, and anchoring boats above coral can cause irreversible damage to these environments. In addition to fishermen, scuba divers have also been known to cause plenty of damage, especially those less experienced. According to One Earth’s study, there are an estimated 6 million coral reef fishers worldwide, and the coral reef fisheries are valued at 6 billion USD.

“A diver needs to have a passion and affection for nature when diving on a coral reef. Divers may not recognize that their diving sessions at coral reefs can have such a devastating impact on corals,” said Torben Lonne, a professional scuba diver, with experience diving in South Asia.

Lonne claims he has an affinity for adventure, with diving experience all around the world. However it would be in South Asia where he would witness first-hand the destructive effects of inexperienced scuba divers. He then made it one of his missions to educate people on the state of the coral reefs, as well as how to dive properly, without damaging the environment.

Dive-related damage to coral life is very gradual, however more preventable than larger issues such as pollution and climate change.

“The biggest mistake that divers make is simply touching the coral, people love to touch things. Corals have a very thin and fragile membrane as their outer cover, which can be easily punctured by touching,” said Lonne.

Long before climate change, costal pollution has been the main destructive force to coral environments. Little has been done to prevent future damage, as an average 14 million tons of trash end up in the ocean each year.

“Beside and before climate change, coastal pollution due to poor watershed and wastestream management, overfishing and habitat destruction have all long been problems for coral reefs,” said Kaufman.

The One Earth study states overall, historical coral coverage was estimated to range from 58% to

cover globally from 1957–2007. The impact that this damage has had an extreme effect on the biodiversity of aquatic life living in these coral environments. At least 63% of all coral-reef- associated biodiversity has declined with the loss of coral extent.

“Corals, giant clams, coralline algae, and other primary producers and structure-builders are the most immediately impacted, which then triggers a domino effect on everything else,” said Kaufman”

When one species becomes scarce, it can affect many other species in the food chain. For example, if a species of fish is eaten by sharks becomes scarce due to the lack of habitat. The sharks will also become scarce due to the lack of food. Then another species who sharks also eat who happen to be a predator of crabs will become more plentiful, threatening the abundance of the crabs. This is what Kaufman means by the domino effect.

70% in coral reef systems worldwide.

There has been approximately a 50% decline in coral reef

As for solutions for the looming threat of coral extinction, there are ways to reduce costal pollution such as keeping trash out of the ocean, and offer clean ways to dispose of waste that otherwise would be illegally released into the ocean.

As well as educating people on the importance of coral reefs, Lonne stressed the importance of educating people on how fragile the coral can be.

“Coral reefs are not solely beautiful colored rocks in the sea. They are living organisms that need extreme care and attention,” said Lonne.

If people start to see coral as extremely delicate structures that are home to hundreds of aquatic species, rather than art, the coral will be more likely to be treated with care.
Because of Kaufman’s experience teaching students about environmental issues he has found that more young people are gravitating towards environmental studies and work.

“I am very, very encouraged by the current crops of students” said Kaufman.

The more awareness brought to this issue, the more likely a change will occur. Clearly the minimal impact of the current solutions is not enough and far outweigh the damage caused every day. Americans especially, pollute the environment and abuse resources far more than any other country. According to a National Geographic study, Americans generated 17% of all plastic waste.

Without coral reef, costal cities will be in danger of costal storms, and flooding, and hundreds of species who call the coral reefs home will be lost, according to the One Earth study.

“We are hastening the disappearance of coral reefs in our time, yes. Coral reefs are likely to come back in some form very soon after we are gone,” said Kaufman.

Since coral reefs are mostly made of calcium carbonate, or bone, it is expected that coral reefs will grow back after humans go extinct, hopefully it never gets to that point.