The Susceptibility of Corals to Human Activities

This topic submitted by Brian Kelly ( kellybp@muohio.edu) at 11:45 AM on 6/8/02.

What a beautiful frog! Only in Costa Rica!

Tropical Field Courses -Western Program-Miami University



I'm gathering information that details the problems that Caribbean coral reefs are experiencing. I plan to provide background info on corals that helps explain their biology, ecosystem functions, and sensitivity to environmental change. IÕll include information on the plight of corals worldwide. The principle focus of this project will be on anthropogenic activities that damage these diverse reef systems and possible ways for averting continued degradation of coral communities.


Outline

I) Introduction: What corals are and where they are

II) Background: Basic biology and ecosystem roles
A) Symbiosis
B) Value to marine environment
C) Value to humans

III) Forms of coral reef destruction
A) Non-human
B) Human
1) Recreational: fishing, boating, snorkeling, etc
2) Military
3) Indigenous peoples
4) Agricultural and development runoff

IV) Preventions & recommendations
A) Greater education
B) Continued restrictions and enforcement
C) Restoration: Gardening

Sources

Doggett, Tom & Baltimore, Chris. "Global Warming due to human activities, US finally concedes." The Star-Ledger, June 4, 2002.
Thurman, Harold. Essentials of Oceanography. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1999.
http://studentresearch.wcp.muohio.edu/CORALREEFS/CoralBleachingRecovery.pdf. Article focuses on coral bleaching and relies on current data for analysis of problem. Presents much statistical analysis.
http://studentresearch.wcp.muohio.edu/ClimateChangePrediction/coraldamageindex.pdf. Article pertains to diver-related damages to corals in the Red Sea
http://studentresearch.wcp.muohio.edu/CORALREEFS/DisturbanceRecoveryCoral.pdf. This article highlighted a study of corals worldwide, and concluded that there was no evidence of recovery in W Atlantic coral once it was damaged.
http://www.uvi.edu/coral.reefer/threats.htm
Article discusses damages to coral reefs from human and other natural sources.
http://www.ecoreefs.com/damage.shtml
Damage to corals due to blast fishing.
http://studentresearch.wcp.muohio.edu/CORALREEFS/coralreeffuture01.pdf. by Nany Knowlton. The Future of Coral Reefs. 2002
http://studentresearch.wcp.muhio.edu/CORALREEFS/Coralbleachingconsequen.pdf. Coral Bleaching: Causes and Consequences by B E Brown 1997. Discusses causes of coral bleaching
http://studentresearch.wcp.muohio.edu/CORALREEFS/coralreefchanges01.pdf Rapid Transition in the Structure of a Coral Reef Community. 2000
http://studentresearch.wcp.muohio.edu/CORALREEFS/CoralReefsFutureScience99.pdf. Brighter Prospects for the World's Coral Reefs? Elizabeth Penisi
http://studentresearch.wcp.muohio.edu/CORALREEFS/CoralReefRestorationFrags00.pdf. Steps towards the evaluation of coral reef restoration by using small branch fragments R. Rinkevich. 2000.


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