New Proposals for Coral Reef Conservation
Coral Reefs are Among the World’s Richest Ecosystems
May 13, 2009
Benefits from protection of Coral Reefs are multifarious. Coral reefs provide protection for harbors and beaches. They have great recreational value and are a great place to learn about complex ecological and biological processes. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is an open laboratory for the biology students.
Sensitive to Disturbances
Coral reefs are extremely sensitive to disturbances. Even though Coral Reefs display a surprising resilience to short-term natural catastrophic events like hurricanes, severe threat exists in the form of increased sedimentation from land clearing and development, toxic discharges and dumping of waste. Agricultural and industrial runoffs are other sources of worry.
Disturbances and pollution can lead to diseases in coral, like bleaching. When the delicate balance that exists between corals and algae is destroyed, growth of algae can easily overwhelm the corals. Activities like unscientific fishing, unbridled activities of divers and snorkelers, suntan oil released from swimmers can contribute their own share to the havoc. The delicate ecosystem of corals gets a beating in the process.
New Awareness
Luckily there is increased awareness around the world for the conservation of corals. New proposals for the conservation of the world’s coral reefs have been just unveiled at the recent World Ocean Conference 2009 in Manado, Indonesia. This meeting is a prelude to the declaration of the largest-ever marine reserve in world history, the Coral Triangle Initiative.
According to Dr Laurence McCook of Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) who led the team that did a recent study of corals, the key to saving threatened coral ecosystems is to maintain the connectivity between reefs allowing larvae to flow between them and re-stock depleted areas. The global decline in coral reefs demands urgent management strategies. To protect this delicate ecosystem from depredation,the team led by Dr McCook has come up with a set of rules.
The New Rules Proposed by The Scientists
(1) Allow margins of error in extent and nature of protection, as insurance against unforeseen or incompletely understood threats or critical processes
(2) Spread risks among areas
(3) Aim for networks of protected areas which are: (a) comprehensive and spread—protect all biotypes, habitats and processes, etc., to capture as many possible connections, known and unknown; (b) adequate—maximise extent of protection for each habitat type, and for the entire region; (c) representative—maximise likelihood of protecting the full range of processes and spatial requirements; (d) replicated—multiple examples of biotypes or processes enhances risk spreading
(4) Protect entire biological units where possible (e.g. whole reefs), including buffers around core areas. Otherwise, choose bigger rather than smaller areas
(5) Provide for connectivity at a wide range of dispersal distances (within and between patches), emphasising distances <20–30 km.
(6) Use a portfolio of approaches, including but not limited to MPAs.
What Ordinary Folks Can Do
Ordinary folks can also work hand in hand with scientists and law enforcers to protect this precious ecosystem.
- Avoid buying corals. But if the country of origin has appropriate management plan for the harvest of corals it is Ok. The management plans ensure scientific harvest and sustainability. Otherwise give it a wide birth.
- Go slow on use of pesticides in your home particularly if you live near the shore. Even if you live considerable distances away from shore it can still get washed in.
- Maintain your boat engine in top notch condition. Prevent oil and gas leaks.
- Avoid dumping of any household, automotive, or gardening wastes into a storm drain. Take them to approved service stations or designated landfills.
- When you dive stay clear of the bottom because stirred-up sediment can settle on corals and cause incalculable harm.
- Never anchor your boat on the reef.
When Coral Conservation starts from the bottoms up with active participation of common man it is bound to succeed. Experiences the world over stand testimony to this.This precious ecosystem has to be passed on to future generations in impeccable condition. Silver lining has appeared in the cloud and there is hope all around.
References
McCook, L, Almany, G, Berumen, M, Day, J, Green, A, Jones, G, Leis, J, Planes, S, Russ, G, Sale, P and Thorrold, S (2009). Management under uncertainty: Guide-lines for incorporating connectivity into the protection of coral reefs. Coral Reefs.
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