8.3 threats and management to coral

Question 1

Global warming/climate change

Answer 1

Most corals are expected to experience coral bleaching by 2030.
Coral reefs could disappear by 2100 without drastic change.
Coral bleaching episodes are occurring more frequently stopping corals from recovering.
(67% of northern section of GBR was lost in 2016 due to bleaching)

Question 2

Effect of climate change

Answer 2

Rising sea level increases sedimentation which smothers polyps and blocks feeding tubes.
More CO2 dissolved in oceans, causing acidification and change in PH levels of coral waters stopping growth.

Question 3

Sea level rise

Answer 3

Deeper water reduces the amount of sunlight reaching corals, impacting growth and survival.
Coral reefs can’t grow fast enough vertically to keep up with rising levels.

Question 4

Management to rising sea levels

Answer 4

Selectively breeding corals with resilient traits such as faster growth to keep pace with rising sea levels.
Reinforce damaged reef areas with mesh, netting or large rocks to create a stable foundation for coral growth.
Collecting coral larvae and releasing them in areas needing increased coral cover.

Question 5

Success of combating rising sea levels

Answer 5

In Florida, they tried to restore coral cover from 2% to 25%. Over 30,000 corals were produced, exceeding the target of 12,000.
Coral cover increased from 6 to 60% in Belize in protected areas.

Question 6

Pollution