AN ESSAY

ON THE

CORAL REEFS DESTRUCTION:

CAUSES & EFFECTS
BY
SEKARGALIH RENGGOWATI R.
072.12.200

GEOLOGY ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF EARTH TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
TRISAKTI UNIVERSITY
2014

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, housing tens of
thousands of marine species. About one-third of all marine fish species live part of their lives on
coral reefs. Reefs in the Florida Keys, for example, hold at least 45 species of stony coral, 37
species of octocoral, five species of sea turtles, 500 species of fish, about 1,700 species of
mollusks and hundreds of species of sponges. Unfortunately. Many environment-oriented
organizations are buzzing about Coral Reefs destruction. Although some precaution and
prevention have been done to avoid further damage WWF said that roughly one-quarter of coral
reefs worldwide are already considered damaged beyond repair, with another two-thirds under
serious threat. So in the first place, what is exactly causing that lethal damage and how big the
consequences are?
When it comes to why is this happening Ive two major causes: natural & humankind
causes. There are far less case of natural causes than humankind. Natural threats for corals are
Hurricane, a sudden temperature changing, and a presence of unfamiliar bacteria. Hurricane is a
big and rapid wind vortex, and a massive incurable damage will happen when it hits coral reefs
on the ocean floor. Most reefs require a specific water temperature range (23 to 29 C) for
optimal growth. So when the sea temperature is dropping or rising by some particular reason,
corals can bleach when they lose their nutrition and begin to effectively starve. Last natural
threats is an unfamiliar bacteria, its presence mostly cause by Abiotic stress factorsphysical
and chemical changesinclude increased sea-surface temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, and
nutrient input or other pollutants.
Unfortunately, humankind is the one who have the biggest responsible for coral reefs
destruction. First, it is because the destructive fishing practices such as dynamite fishing, bottom
trawling, and banging on the reef with stick. Second cause is overfishing, this affects coral reef
by damaging the food chain and decreasing nutrition supply. After that is careless tourism like
boating, diving, snorkeling, and fishing with hands on corals or dropping anchor on reefs. And
then pollution, such as industrial wastes is poisoning reefs. Some wastes could directly cut off
reefs sunlight. And last but not least is global warming which is led to increased levels of coral
bleaching.
Like a boomerang, the consequences are back to humankind. As an additional fact, coral
reefs is like the front guard of our coastline which is mean when it all destroyed so then flood
occurs. From a medical point of view, some nutrition from coral reefs is an essential material for
a serious disease like ulcers, heart disease, leukemia, and more. Coral reefs also has an important
role for absorbing carbondioxide side by side with plants, if there are no more coral reefs so
carbondioxide level on the atmosphere will be increasing. And last one, believe it or not many
humans are dependent on Coral Reefs for their livelihood. It is estimated that reef fish and
mollusks feed between thirty and forty million people each year. Also, beautiful and exotic reef
fish can also be sold as pets, providing cash income to families in poverty stricken areas.
Tourism provides the basis for entire economies in many regions. With responsible treatment of

the reefs, it would be possible to sustain the lives of people who have close relationships with the
reefs.
Finally, those are causes followed by various consequences of coral reefs destruction. We
people is playing main role of deciding which way to go. Future with our progeny still enjoying
the view of beautiful corals with all of its usefulness or a future with a dull ocean and worse
environment. Pick a side!