Human Impacts on Coral Reefs
Human Impacts on Coral Reefs
Part 1Natural Stresses and Human Uses
Part 1Natural Stresses and Human Uses
Factors Correlated with Healthy Coral Reef Growth
Factors Correlated with Healthy Coral Reef Growth
• water temperature range: 18 – 29C• normal seawater salinity: 32 – 35 ‰
• low inorganic nutrient concentrations (oligotrophic waters)
• clear, transparent water
• little or no sedimentation
• vigorous water motion
• water temperature range: 18 – 29C• normal seawater salinity: 32 – 35 ‰
• low inorganic nutrient concentrations (oligotrophic waters)
• clear, transparent water
• little or no sedimentation
• vigorous water motion
Natural Sources of Stress on Coral Reefs
Natural Sources of Stress on Coral Reefs
• intense storms
• El Niño
• disease
• volcanic eruptions
• predator population explosions
• natural stream and river runoff
• exceptionally low tides
• intense storms
• El Niño
• disease
• volcanic eruptions
• predator population explosions
• natural stream and river runoff
• exceptionally low tides
Storm Wave DamageStorm Wave Damage
BeforeBefore AfterAfter
Storm DamageStorm Damage
Normal Wind and Ocean Circulation in the PacificNormal Wind and Ocean Circulation in the Pacific
El Niño ConditionsEl Niño Conditions
Sea Surface Temperatures
April 8, 2013
Impacts of El NiñoImpacts of El Niño
Marine Life Impacted
Drought
Floods Tropical Storm
Forest Fires Bird life impacted
Coral Reef Damage Coastal Erosion
DiseaseDisease
Lava FlowsLava Flows
Crown-of-Thorns OutbreaksCrown-of-Thorns Outbreaks
Stream and River RunoffStream and River Runoff
Low TidesLow Tides
Some Local Human ImpactsSome Local Human Impacts
• thermal effluents
• sewage discharges and agricultural runoff
• mechanical damage to reefs
• sedimentation
• destructive resource extraction practices
• introduced species
• loving a reef to death
• thermal effluents
• sewage discharges and agricultural runoff
• mechanical damage to reefs
• sedimentation
• destructive resource extraction practices
• introduced species
• loving a reef to death
Global Human ImpactsGlobal Human Impacts
• global warming• ozone depletion• ocean acidification
• global warming• ozone depletion• ocean acidification
Possible Consequences of Stresses and Impacts on Corals and Coral Reefs
Possible Consequences of Stresses and Impacts on Corals and Coral Reefs
• outright mortality of coral tissues
• breakage of coral colonies
• bleaching
• diseases
• slower growth
• reduced reproduction and recruitment
• competitive exclusion by other organisms
• increased reef erosion
• outright mortality of coral tissues
• breakage of coral colonies
• bleaching
• diseases
• slower growth
• reduced reproduction and recruitment
• competitive exclusion by other organisms
• increased reef erosion
Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Coral Reef ResourcesTraditional Hawaiian Uses of Coral Reef Resources
Seaweedslimu
Seaweedslimu
Hooks andLures
Hooks andLures
Octopus Lure
Fishing Shrinesko‘a
Fishing Shrinesko‘a
Hawaiian Fish PondsHawaiian Fish Ponds
He'eia fishpond
Ahupua’a
1. Upland2. Plains3. Ocean
Ranges from the tip of the mtn to the reef area
TheAhupua‘a
TheAhupua‘a
Modern Uses of Coral ReefsModern Uses of Coral Reefs• Seafood• Food Additives and Toiletries• Health and Medicine Products• Research and Education• Jewelry and Art• Marine Aquarium Specimens• New Land• Cement & Other Building Supplies• Shoreline Protection• Recreation
• Seafood• Food Additives and Toiletries• Health and Medicine Products• Research and Education• Jewelry and Art• Marine Aquarium Specimens• New Land• Cement & Other Building Supplies• Shoreline Protection• Recreation
Top Related