CORAL ECOSYSTEM

Published on 23 Feb 2025

Coral reefs are formed when thousands of polyps living together in a coral colony secretes calcium carbonate exoskeleton beneath it and over time forms reefs. They are often referred to as the “rainforest of the sea,” are crucial ecosystems supporting over 25% of marine species.

Significance of Coral Reef ecosystem

• Biodiversity Hubs: Coral reefs support a vast array of marine life, acting as underwater cities teeming with fish, invertebrates, and other organisms.

• Coastal Protectors: Reefs buffer coastlines from wave erosion and storm surges, safeguarding communities and infrastructure.

• Economic Powerhouse: Tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection provided by reefs contribute billions to the global economy.

• Medical Sources: Coral reef organisms are a potential source of new medicines for diseases like cancer and arthritis.

Threats faced by Coral reefs

• Warming Waters: Rising temperatures disrupt the coral-algae relationship, leading to coral bleaching and death. 

• Example: A 2020 bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef affected two-thirds of the reef, according to the Authority.

• Pollution: Pollutants like fertilizers, sewage, and plastics harm coral growth and smother reefs. 

• Example: A study published in Nature Communications links agricultural runoff with coral decline in the Caribbean.

• Overfishing: Overfishing disrupts the reef's natural balance and damages the coral structure. 

• Example: WWF report identifies overfishing of parrotfish in the Philippines as a major contributor to coral reef degradation.

• Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 absorption makes the ocean more acidic, weakening coral skeletons and making them more vulnerable. 

• Physical Damage: Activities like anchoring, grounding, and coastal development projects can physically destroy coral reefs.

• Example: UNEP reports that a significant portion of coral reef damage in Southeast Asia, like Maya Bay in Thailand, is attributed to boat anchoring

Initiatives to protect and conserve Coral reefs

• International Efforts:

• Collaboration: ICRI (International Coral Reef Initiative), GCRMN (Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network), GCRA (Global Coral Reef Alliance): Knowledge sharing, strategy development, and global advocacy for coral reef conservation.

• Scientific Advancements: Global Coral Reef R&D Accelerator Platform: Fast-tracking breakthroughs in restoration, monitoring, and resilience of coral reefs.

• Restoration Techniques:

• Biological Restoration: Asexual propagation (fragmenting healthy corals) and coral gardening: Nurturing coral growth for reef rehabilitation.

• Structural Restoration: Artificial reefs, coral relocation: Increasing habitat availability for coral and marine life. (e.g., Bio-rock technology)

• Physical Restoration: Improving coral health: Addressing environmental stressors like pollution and water temperature fluctuations.

• India's Initiatives:

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Safeguarding reefs from destructive activities like fishing and pollution.

• Research & Monitoring: NCOR (National Centre for Ocean Research): Understanding coral health and guiding conservation efforts.

• Coral Transplantation Programs: Piloting techniques for accelerated reef restoration (e.g., Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

• Other measures:

• Sustainable Practices: Halting unplanned development, promoting sustainable fishing, minimizing the use of harmful chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides.

• Combating Climate Change: Global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience for coral reefs.

Technological Innovation: Exploring coral cryopreservation (freezing coral sperm and eggs) and other novel restoration methods.

Tags:
Geography

Keywords:
CORAL ECOSYSTEM Significance of Coral Reef ecosystem Threats faced by Coral reefs Coral Bleaching Mass Coral Bleaching Events Consequences of Coral Bleaching Initiatives to protect and conserve Coral reefs

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Physical Geography