Conserving Coral
What is Coral?
Although coral may seem lifeless and rock like, it is actually filled with plant like cells and is classified as an animal. Coral is mainly found in warm waters where there is plenty of light, such as the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef contains more than 1400 species of coral, but in the past 27 years the Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its coral and it could happen again.
How is it being threatened?
Natural activity has impacted this amazing under water kingdom greatly. The most effective problem is climate change. Coral bleaching and rising sea temperatures are some of the major climate issues. The fact that the sea temperature has risen over these past 30 years means corals on the Great Barrier Reef are now at their normal temperature thresholds. This means when temperatures rises again corals will be past their normal temperature thresholds and will be at a state of thermal stress. As the climate changes, coral bleaching is predicted to happen more often and on a larger scale. Sea temperature is increasing and coral stress from other impacts may make corals' vulnerability to bleaching much higher. The Great Barrier Reef has had mass coral bleaching events in the past. In 1998, 50% of the coral on the Great Barrier Reef experienced bleaching. In 2002 60% of the coral was affected by bleaching.
But what we are doing to our ocean is only accelerating the extinction of beautiful coral. This includes plastic pollution, oil spills, coral and coal mining, dangerous run off and poor fishing practices.
The activity that is impacting the coral of the Great Barrier Reef is coral and coal mining. We removing live coral from the reefs and making them into bricks and cement to make road fills and new buildings. Since Australia is popular for its oceans, tourists can purchase them as souvenirs.
Coal companies are planning on building nine new coal export terminals along the Queensland coast near the Great Barrier Reef, which means thousands more coal ships, will be crossing the Great Barrier Reef. Australia's mining boom is placing Great Barrier Reef at great risk. It is feared that ships will run aground, just as a Chinese vessel did in 2010 tearing a two-mile gash into the coral and spilling a few tonnes of oil.
What can be done to prevent further damage?
6 ways to save the Great Barrier Reef’s Coral:
1. Conserve water.
2. Recycle.
3. Raise awareness.
4. Volunteer for Coral Clean up.
5. Help reduce pollution.
6. Don't purchase coral as a souvenir.
What is Coral?
Although coral may seem lifeless and rock like, it is actually filled with plant like cells and is classified as an animal. Coral is mainly found in warm waters where there is plenty of light, such as the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef contains more than 1400 species of coral, but in the past 27 years the Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its coral and it could happen again.
How is it being threatened?
Natural activity has impacted this amazing under water kingdom greatly. The most effective problem is climate change. Coral bleaching and rising sea temperatures are some of the major climate issues. The fact that the sea temperature has risen over these past 30 years means corals on the Great Barrier Reef are now at their normal temperature thresholds. This means when temperatures rises again corals will be past their normal temperature thresholds and will be at a state of thermal stress. As the climate changes, coral bleaching is predicted to happen more often and on a larger scale. Sea temperature is increasing and coral stress from other impacts may make corals' vulnerability to bleaching much higher. The Great Barrier Reef has had mass coral bleaching events in the past. In 1998, 50% of the coral on the Great Barrier Reef experienced bleaching. In 2002 60% of the coral was affected by bleaching.
But what we are doing to our ocean is only accelerating the extinction of beautiful coral. This includes plastic pollution, oil spills, coral and coal mining, dangerous run off and poor fishing practices.
The activity that is impacting the coral of the Great Barrier Reef is coral and coal mining. We removing live coral from the reefs and making them into bricks and cement to make road fills and new buildings. Since Australia is popular for its oceans, tourists can purchase them as souvenirs.
Coal companies are planning on building nine new coal export terminals along the Queensland coast near the Great Barrier Reef, which means thousands more coal ships, will be crossing the Great Barrier Reef. Australia's mining boom is placing Great Barrier Reef at great risk. It is feared that ships will run aground, just as a Chinese vessel did in 2010 tearing a two-mile gash into the coral and spilling a few tonnes of oil.
What can be done to prevent further damage?
6 ways to save the Great Barrier Reef’s Coral:
1. Conserve water.
2. Recycle.
3. Raise awareness.
4. Volunteer for Coral Clean up.
5. Help reduce pollution.
6. Don't purchase coral as a souvenir.