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August 9, 2010 Coral Reef Update
April 27, 2010 Coral Reef Update
Last week it was reported by the National Research Council that the chemistry of the world's oceans was changing at An Unprecedented Rate of Change that was rapidly becoming more acidic because of carbon dioxide pollution. This type of change is one that threatens coral reefs and some fish species.
Coral Reefs Will Recover from Global Warming
University of Exeter, UK Study Shows
DNA India reports from Washington, DC: "In a new research, scientists from the University of Exeter, UK, have provided the first evidence that coral reefs can recover from the devastating effects of global warming."
DNA India reports from Washington, DC Scientists and environmentalists have warned that coral reefs may not be able to recover from the damage caused by climate change and that these unique environments could soon be lost forever. DNA India reports from Washington, DC Now, a new research adds weight to the argument that reducing levels of fishing is a viable way of protecting the world's most delicate aquatic ecosystems. DNA India reports from Washington, DC Increases in ocean surface water temperatures subject coral reefs to stresses that lead quickly to mass bleaching. DNA India reports from Washington, DC The problem is intensified by ocean acidification, which is also caused by increased carbon dioxide (CO2). DNA India reports from Washington, DC This decreases the ability of corals to produce calcium carbonate (chalk), which is the material that reefs are made of. DNA India reports from Washington, DC Approximately 2% of the world's coral reefs are located within marine reserves, areas of the sea that are protected against potentially-damaging human activity, like dredging and fishing. DNA India reports from Washington, DC The researchers conducted surveys of ten sites inside and outside marine reserves of the Bahamas over 2.5 years. DNA India reports from Washington, DC These reefs have been severely damaged by bleaching and then by hurricane Frances in the summer of 2004. DNA India reports from Washington, DC At the beginning of the study, the reefs had an average of 7% coral cover. DNA India reports from Washington, DC By the end of the project, coral cover in marine protected areas had increased by an average of 19%, while reefs in non-reserve sites showed no recovery. DNA India reports from Washington, DC According to professor Peter Mumby of the University of Exeter, "In order to protect reefs in the long-term, we need radical action to reduce CO2 emissions. However, our research shows that local action to reduce the effects of fishing can contribute meaningfully to the fate of reefs." DNA India reports from Washington, DC "The reserve allowed the number of parrot fishes to increase and because parrotfish eat seaweeds, the corals could grow freely without being swamped by weeds. As a result, reefs inside the park were showing recovery whereas those with more seaweed were not," he said. DNA India reports from Washington, DC "This sort of evidence may help persuade governments to reduce the fishing of key herbivores like parrot fishes and help reefs cope with the inevitable threats posed by climate change," he added. For more information on the subject, please read the following article: http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_coral-reefs-can-recover-from-devastating-effects-of-global-warming_1332825Introducing Forward Opportunities Online Business Association
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