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How Threats Affect Animals in Coral Reefs

Coral reefs, one of the most diverse ecosystems throughout the world, face mounting threats that endanger many of their inhabitants. Both human and environmental pressures affect the distribution and condition of coral reefs. These threats vary in significance, from altering the natural reef environment to destroying coral reefs altogether. Because many animals rely on the coral reefs for food and shelter, increasing environmental threats affect both the reefs and countless marine species alike.

  1. Ocean Acidification

    • Since the beginning of human industry, global carbon dioxide levels have steadily increased over each decade. Because oceans cover the majority of our planet, they also act as sponges to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide. The increased carbon dioxide in seawater inherently decreases the oceans' pH levels. The increased acidity affects the local ecology of coral reefs, altering the optimal marine environment for many species. Research has shown that elevated carbon dioxide levels reduce an organism's ability for shell formation.

    Water Pollution

    • One of the leading causes for the loss of coral reefs is water pollution. Oil rigs, coastline factories and pesticide contamination all poison the coral and marine life within the reef. Man-made chemicals often flow through rivers to become dumped into the oceans. These contaminants are often fatal to many of the animal species within coral reefs. Over time, the coral reefs degrade and die; the animals that rely on the reefs for shelter struggle to survive as well.

    Destructive Fishing

    • The ocean yields a bountiful harvest for the modern fishing industry. However, many fishing practices are destructive towards the reef environment. For example, cyanide fishing and blast fishing utterly devastate the surrounding environment. Cyanide clouds poison all local organisms, while blast fishing obliterates the coral reef itself. In addition, overfishing essentially wipes out much of the local fish population within a reef.

    Ozone Depletion

    • Elevated levels of chlorofluorocarbons, caused by industrial practices, have depleted the ozone layer over various parts of the world. Without this natural barrier to absorb most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, the intense radiation can harm coral reefs. For coral reefs located in shallow waters, the intense sunlight can significantly damage the coral over time. Excess radiation may lead to coral death, which inherently damages the local animal population as well.

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