4 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Coral reefs are not faded paintings on the walls of pyramids, nor ancient artifacts from antiquity. They are living, breathing, threatened jewels of the planet which require protection now while they exist. Otherwise, much sooner than anticipated, their memory will be nothing more than a dead collection of a dried and withered life-form on display in a natural history museum.

Corals are living creatures.They consist of minuscule soft bodied animals called polyps. They are so abundant that they are the only creatures observed from space - one such is the Great Barrier Reef.

Together with algae they co-exist symbiotically. Both depend on the delicate eco-systems which binds them. An imbalance in this harmony will upset the relationship. The algae will grow more abundantly than the slow growing coral, it will prevent sunlight which inhibits photosynthesis, and the chlorophyll which results will starve the coral of natures nutrients. Lack of sunlight will cause death, and all marine life dependent on it will diminish.

Global warming causes the water temperature to rise, which in turn creates coral bleaching - a term for colourless coral, devoid of life .

Somehow the rate of global warming needs to be slowed down, watersheds that drain into coral reef waters need cleaning up, overfishing must be stopped, and an ecosystem-based management approach has to be implemented for the reefs and their fisheries. Whilst it is accepted that human activity is a major factor in coral reef destruction, the overwhelming consensus is that climate change is the principle protagonist and this can only be addressed by a worldwide effort to cap fossil-fuel use and pass stringent climate change legislation.

Local initiatives, such as education, eco-tourism and marine parks, although commendable, will not be sufficient to stave off the march of destruction.

To date more than one tenth of the world's coral reefs have been damaged beyond repair. This has major implications for human communities that live close to reefs. Millions of people depend on them to provide food and protect tropical shorelines from erosion. It's estimated in economic terms that they provide an annual income of $30billion.

Organisations such as the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation aim to further marine conservation initiatives, and through ongoing projects, inform, inspire and provide ways for individuals to get involved and become stewards of the earth's biosphere.

The Coral Cay Conservation is another organisation highlighting the problems both coral reefs and rain-forests are experiencing. The CCC Trust has awarded scholarships to hundreds of local people around the world. Marine and terrestrial scholarships are currently available in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Tobago. Courses are provided on diving, marine biology and survey techniques, all essential skills for monitoring the long-term health of their coral reefs.

These groups, and many others like them are dedicated to ensuring the long term health of the world's natural resources. Volunteers and contributions are a key element of their own survival. They can only do so much, and just like the coral reefs, they need our help.

Learn more about this author, Bar De Ness.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about A look at efforts to save coral reefs?
We want to hear your view. Write now!