Flat Coral Reefs: the architecture of Caribbean reefs is changing

Healthy coral reefs include a multitude of nooks and crannies that provide a base and secure haven for a variety of organisms - from algae and plants to mollusks, lobster and fish. But according to Seaweb.org, a new study released by the University of Anglia in England shows strong evidence that Caribbean reefs are "flattening" and providing a less than favorable architectural structure that threatens the reefs' survival.

Comparing 460 studies done since 1968, the report identifies the reef "rugosity index" which measures the habitats' architectural complexity. An index number of 1.0 is considered flat, while at the other end of the scale (a healthy reef), anything greater than 3.0 is very rare. Apparently most reefs that were studied with an index of 2.5 have now disappeared and 75% of the reefs are around 1.5.

What is causing this? The report lists several potential causes - all naturally induced calamities.
White-band disease in the 1970's (which impacted Acropora coral species), followed by a disease-induced mortality in the mid-80's of a predatory urchin species (though a predator, the urchin serves to keep coral reefs healthy and free from overcrowding; like thinning a forest through natural processes). Then there was coral bleaching in the late 90's, where stressed coral expels its symbiotic algae. All of this could represent the natural ebb and flow of a reef: calamities that the reef could withstand and recover from in time.

But add to that, the impact of human activities - everything from pollution, acidification, excess sediment from land development, destructive fishing practices - and the reefs could be pushed far beyond their ability to recover. The loss of coral reefs would have immediate impact on fish populations (which have been in decline in the Caribbean for years), in addition to impacting commercial fish and lobster businesses. Lastly, the flatten architecture of the reefs would reduce their ability to act as important coastal protection from wave energy, exposing coastal communities to increased wave action, higher sea levels, and greater exposure to hurricanes.

Not only do we need to not threaten reefs with our own activities, but we must actively study and judiciously and carefully protect reefs when they are threatened by natural events to insure their long-term survival . . . and ours.

Global Warming: mortality in human terms

Seems my environmental world revolves around two things: ocean conservation (with an especially soft spot for sharks) and climate change. And as I post about issues related to climate change, I notice they often revolve around a specific species - a bird, a fish, a cute fuzzy animal.

And this is where the cynics often step in. "What's so important about some little frog? Why the fuss over a stupid clam?" And so you bite your tongue and try to systematically take them through the intricate web of nature to get them to understand the importance of this plant or that animal and how relevant it is to our own lives.

And their bored expression just says it all.

So, let's put it into terms that they might better understand: 300,000 people dead each year.

The Global Humanitarian Forum just released a report, titled "Human Impact Report: Climate Change - The Anatomy of a Silent Crisis", in which this startling conclusion is reached based on temperature change calculations by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the report's analysis of deaths caused by climate-related malnutrition and disease.

300 Million people are already seriously affected by global warming and that number is expected to double by 2030. The countries considered the most vulnerable are in the semi-arid dry land belt including the Sahara, Middle East, Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and parts of the United States. Australia and the Arctic are also considered at great risk.

"This is one of the reasons why I've described climate change as all encompassing," said the forum president, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Anan. "This threat to our health, this threat to food production, this threat to security. It raises political tensions, it will have people on the move - and they are on the move - and many more which will bring tensions."

The report comes out 6 months before the planned United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen, where a new post-Kyoto climate agreement is to be forged.

300,000 dead. In some circles, that's called genocide.