Better ways of protecting Coral Reefs?

With coral reefs being destroyed by bleaching and ocean acidification new methods of conservation must be approached.  One of these approaches is by not putting all efforts into the coral reefs directly buy by better conserving the land around the reef.  Researchers Carissa Klein, Stacy Jupiter, Matthew Watts and Hugh Possingham tested six different conservation techniques on coral reef ecosystems in Fiji.  The primary objective of each approach was to achieve terrestrial conservation or to minimize land-based runoff.  They also compared these results with other conservation plans on how well they benefit coral reef conditions.

The researchers found that when terrestrial conservation was the primary goal that the reefs benefited by  7.7-10.4% greater than other protected areas that weren't focused on terrestrial conservation.  However, 31-44% of the terrestrial conservation was not achieved which means that there could be a higher percentage of benefit if terrestrial conservation can be achieved better.  These results are being used by the Fiji's protected area committee to better define conservation boundaries on land.



Another method that is being researched is to take more of a gardening approach to the reefs.  Studies are being done on how successful coral reefs, grown in labs, that are modified to withstand current oceanic conditions.  Artificial reefs such as concrete structures are also being used.

A more abstract study looks into if electrical currents can stimulate coral reef growth.  On Vabbinfaru Island, Maldives a 12 meter metal cage that weighed 2 tonnes was placed in the ocean and a small electrical current ran through it.  The electric current stimulates a chemical reaction that draws calcium carbonate out of the water and gets deposited on the cage.  Studies have also been done that found that the electric current helps them filter and adapt to warmer conditions because less energy is needed to form a skeleton.  One of the steel cages used is hard to distinguish now because of all of the colorful reef growth on the cage.

Unfortunately using these steel cages on a global scale would be extremely costly.  The only benefit of these artificial reefs would be from tourist areas or areas that are hit by temporary damage such as oil spills or boat impacts.  Many of the coral reef researches believe the only way to save the reefs is to greatly slash carbon dioxide levels across the globe, but they don't see that being accomplished.  Researcher Peter Sale said "By 2050, we may still have corals, and things we'll actually call 'reefs', but they will be massive limestone structures that were built in the past, with tiny patches of living coral struggling to survive on them." He adds "The world will go on without reefs, but its going to be very much inferior to the planet we have now."

References:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131217155329.htm
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X13002261#
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120905-save-our-dying-coral-reefs

The Florida Manatee: Ecology & Conservation

            

Florida Manatee

            The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, is a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee.  Manatees live in freshwater, brackish, or marine habitats in shallow rivers, bays, estuaries, and coastal waters near Florida and nearby southeastern states.  They prefer a water temperature of above 68°F.  Their diet consists of sea grasses and other vegetation. 

            The Florida manatee is endangered, and their numbers have severely declined due to a number of threats including boat collisions, habitat loss, and fishery conflict.  It’s estimated that there are only about 5,000 Florida manatees in the wild.  There are conservation efforts and management plans in place to help the Florida manatee population. 
 

In my presentation I plan to cover the following topics:

·        Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris: Ecology (habitat, range, behavior, diet, reproduction); Endangered Status

·        Importance of the Florida manatee in the ecosystem

·        Threats the Florida manatee faces: fishery conflict, loss of warm water habitat/climate change, boat collisions, impaired immune system due to pollution, and red tide

·        Conservation/current research: Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act, The Endangered Species Act; The Florida Manatee Management Plan; aerial surveys to track manatee populations; ecotourism

A few studies I plan to discuss:

            One study tested the effects of environmental stressors, such as red tide and exposure to cold weather, on lymphocyte proliferation in Florida manatees.  It’s suggested that multiple stressors may have synergistic effects on immune function in manatees.

            Another study focused on the impact of climate change on Florida manatees.  Warmer oceans may be thought to have a positive impact on manatees, but the predicted impacts of climate change are actually detrimental to manatees.  Habitat degradation and harmful algal blooms are likely to increase with climate change, which will have negative impacts on the manatees.  

            Manatees also face the threat of boat collisions.  In order to implement effective protection zones, areas that manatee and boat collisions occur must be identified.  This study used statistical models to derive an index of risk co-occurrence between manatees and boats to identify areas where manatee/boat collisions are likely to occur.

 

Resources

Effects of environmental stressors on lymphocyte proliferation in Florida manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris

An index of risk of co-occurrence between marine mammals and watercraft: Example of the Florida manatee

Potential impacts of climate change on warm water megafauna: the Florida manatee example (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

The Florida Manatee

Basic Facts About Florida Manatees

Seahorses: On the Decline

Pair of pygmy seahorses.

Every year, more than 150 million seahorses are collected in the wild and dried for use as souvenirs or medicines.  The wild populations of seahorses are becoming depleted, and many species face the threat of extinction.  According to the most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plants and animals, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List (IUCN), 38 species of seahorses are on the list: one as Endangered, seven as Vulnerable, one as Least Concern, and 29 as Data Deficient.  The seahorse population has declined by 20% over the last 10 years (or three generations).    

            There are three major reasons for the decline in seahorse populations: the Traditional Medicine trade, the curio trade, and the pet trade.

Thousands of dried seahorses.

            Hundreds of thousands of captured wild seahorses are used in the Curio trade.  Seahorses are sold as key chains, earrings, paperweights, and novelties in shops for the tourist trade.  Many people don’t realize that they are buying dried animals that were once living in the wild.  
            Approximately 95% of the wild seahorses that are collected are used in Traditional Medicine, especially in Asia and Asian communities.  Seahorses are sold whole and dried or ground for use in tonics and prescription medications.  Seahorses are used to treat asthma, respiratory disorders, sexual dysfunctions, broken bones, and heart ailments.  

Seahorses also fall victim to aquarium hobbyists in the pet trade.  Up to one million seahorses are collected for the aquarium trade every year.  The process of catching the seahorse, packaging it, shipping it, and selling it can take weeks.  By the time the seahorse arrives to a home aquarium, the animal is starved and stressed, which usually results in its demise.         

            Seahorses need to be preserved for ecological, biological, economic, and medical reasons.  Seahorses are important predators, and removing them may disrupt ecosystems.  Their reproductive ecology is important and provides us with a unique opportunity to expand our understanding of reproductive biology: only the male becomes pregnant and most pairs are monogamous.  Seahorses also provide some fisheries with a substantial amount of income in addition to being used to treat a wide range of medical conditions and ailments. 

Project Seahorse, an organization led by biologist Dr. Amanda Vincent, works worldwide to monitor trades, establish protected marine areas, and continue research on seahorses to determine what conservation measures are needed to protect seahorses.

Seahorses are a flagship species for a variety of marine conservation issues.  Seahorses are charismatic symbols of the sea grasses, mangroves, coral reefs, and estuaries.  Protecting seahorses means protecting all of the diverse habitats within our oceans and saving our seas.   

Resources

Project Seahorse

The Seahorse Trust

Shedd Aquarium: Seahorse Conservation

Save Our Seahorses

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification has not yet been a major contributor to ocean problems but more and more studies have been focusing on this.  According to NOAA the ocean absorbs approximately a quarter of the Carbon Dioxide we release into the air every year.  As we discussed in class acidification of waters can happen through the reaction shown below and has the potential to hurt many habitats.  

Since this is just recently becoming noticeable in the oceans first signs of effects on the wildlife are beginning to appear.  The most noticed problem is inability to form calcium carbonate structures, which has been effecting mostly corals and animal that secrete shells.  

In one study done at Oregon State University there was signs that acid environment during larval development of oysters lead to an inability to grow correctly and to low recruitment levels   This immediately has an affect on businesses using oysters and other shelled animals to make a profit, but will soon be noticeable in the environment.  The reduction of these animals may be an indication of future problems to come and act as a sort of "canary in the coal mine" for the ocean.   

Although the results of this ocean acidification have not been immediately evident there are beginning to be signs that it is affecting the wildlife.  Since there are calcium carbonate animals such as corals that are already being greatly reduced in numbers it is important the situation becomes controlled as soon as possible.  Also, since areas of upwelling will soon be bringing waters that were previously acidified the situation will not just get better on its own.  

References

Science Daily

NOAA

Cool Coral Communities

Corals are animals in the Phylum Cnidaria, a coral polyp the main organism in the reef is made up of  a skeleton of CaCO₃. The coral polyps are not the only ecosystem engineers of this community; sponges, bryozoans, sea anemones, fish, crabs, worms, and many other animals all call the Great Barrier Reef home. Being the world's richest area of diversity the animals all work together to survive in such a complex ecosystem. There are fish, Parrotfish, that play a major role in the life of coral reefs because the fish eat the seaweeds that over grow the coral. Even though this is a benefit to coral, Parrotfish also eat coral adding to the complex ecosystem found within coral reefs. Coral reefs provide not only food but protection for many animals. Because corals are so fascinating and unique many people desire to visit them. Tourism in the Great Barrier Reef is a huge economic advantage as well as a potential danger to the corals themselves. Runoff into the reef can pollute the ecosystem causing the corals to die off. The pollutants can cause disease and death with in the corals. This destroys one of the most beautiful places on earth.

 Tourists can break coral off while scuba diving or snorkeling slowly diminishing the reef little by little. Since the tourism of the reef is such a huge economic advantage for Australia, receiving two million visits a year, researchers have been discovering ways to protect the reef. NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program has been working on methods to preserve the reefs around the world. There is ongoing research around the world, the University of Miami in Florida is researching how to protect the reefs off the coast. While the University of Sydney is also doing research on understanding the coral communities. Much of the protection is regulating the tourists and the public to specific activities at certain times. Monitoring the fishing and the amount of water entering the reef are both ways the universities are helping to maintain their corals. The research on coral reproduction helps to place time frames for some restricted activities. Researchers are working on understanding the coral lifestyle to better protect the areas. Finding the presence of benthic organisms helps to define the habitat. On some reefs the benthic organisms are the problem, and others it is the fish. Depending on the characteristic of the reef, only specific organisms need protected to maintain the reef population. As more and more information is discovered about the fish and other creatures within this habitat better protection can be made.



http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v429/n6994/full/nature02685.html
http://www.media.australia.com/en-au/factsheets/3311_7931.aspx