Researchers have revealed that due to human induced global warming and climate change, coral reefs around that world are under increased stress.
According to Science Codex, coral reefs are the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems in the world. But they rely on a natural recycling program in order to stay healthy. The algae and corals that stay at the base of the reef's food web release a variety of nutrients supporting an efficient and complex food chain.
When this efficient ecosystem gets out of balance, the cycle breaks down and the coral reefs' health is endangered. A new study explores how "microbialization" destroys links in this delicate food chain. The study has been led by researchers at San Diego State University.
Acropora, or "staghorn," corals have been known as fast reef building across the globe. They have been around for more than 50 million years but now researchers have found that stress are effectively wiping them out.
In the past, staghorn species of corals has been among the most successful throughout rapidly changing environmental conditions. But over the last century, their population has been declining, in particular in Australia during the European colonization, around the time of land-use changes.
According to Dispatch Tribunal, another study led by scientists at University of Queensland's ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (Coral CoE) suggests that current conditions are taking a toll on these coral species. Even if these corals have shown during their long history a great capability to survive the odds, now they are dying and not able to sustain the reefs.
Coral reefs are crucial in providing costal protection and for healthy fish populations, since they host more species than any other marine environment. Coral reefs also help dissipate up to 97 percent of incoming wave energy.
However, coral cover has diminished in the past 20 years by as much as 95 percent in the Caribbean and some other locations. Climate change and local stress such as over-fishing and pollution are factors that compromise coral health.
