Instructions are to write a research paper on any topic of interest.
This is the first draft. A preliminary references page is being constructed which I will submit along with the updated version of this paper.
This is my first time using this service, so if there is something else I should be doing, please let me know.
The coral reef system located off of the Florida Keys has been showing considerable decline in health over the past few decades - over 44% reduction in hard coral coverage in the last 12 years alone - which has prompted the scientific community to search for the causes of this decline and develop solutions before the damage becomes irreparable. Scientists are investigating multiple potential causes both in the field and in the lab as well as using historical records in conjunction with current data to attempt to find clues that will help in solving this puzzle. With the official support of The National Marine Sanctuary, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Park Service, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among others, the effort to discover the reasons for the decline of coral coverage in the Florida Keys is well underway. Research has shown that some of the causes are directly linked to human activity while other causes are a result of Mother Nature.
Hurricanes are naturally occurring events that contribute to the decline in the health of the coral reef system in many ways. When hurricanes strike, they possess a destructive force known as storm surge that can inflict damage on the seabed to levels that exceed the amount of damage on land. Scouring that occurs because of storm surge can have a two-pronged effect: one, the sediment around the base of the coral heads will be removed and cause the coral to tip over which will place the coral in deeper water or cause the coral to be smothered, and two, the moving sediment can be deposited on top of existing coral also causing it to be smothered. Hurricanes also bring with them enormous amounts of rain which leads to extensive runoff and erosion that has multiple deleterious effects. The runoff deposits even more sediments into the ocean environment which contribute to the smothering of the coral. The water quality is harmed due to the many pollutants found in the runoff ranging from petroleum-based pollutants to sewage and nutrient overload. The enormous amounts of fresh water added to the near shore aquatic environment can also cause the coral to become shocked due to the change in salinity. One may ask the obvious question, "Hurricanes have been around for millennia, so why such an impact at this point in time?" and the answer may be found in global warming.
Global warming, a phenomenon which many believe is a result of greenhouse gases caused by human activity, is a contributor to reef decline. In addition to the increased frequency of hurricanes, global warming is the main culprit in rising sea-surface temperatures and increased ocean acidification. These effects alone have far-reaching effects on nearly all ocean life forms to some degree. Protecting the reefs from the effects of global warming has become the main focus of many biologists and environmental organizations. Alex Score, a biologist for EcoAdapt, is promoting a new climate change action plan that will help agencies work together to protect the reef system. Score says, "The big value of the plan is to heighten the public's awareness, and that seeing this plan implemented they will realize that climate change is happening and there is a commitment to address it." Bleaching caused by increased sea-surface temperatures is believed to be a major contributor to reef health decline.
Bleaching is a stress response to high sea water temperatures where the coral expels the beneficial algae that live within the coral polyps and give them the beautiful colors they are known for. Once the algae have been expelled, the coral becomes white in color and thus has a "bleached" appearance. These nutrient rich algae are an important part of the overall survival of the coral because once the algae has been expelled the coral becomes weak and is more susceptible to disease.
Diseases which have caused the greatest decline in coral cover and pose the greatest future threat have been classified into two main categories: black disease and white disease. Black-band, the prevailing black disease, peaked in 1998 according to measurements taken from multiple monitoring stations throughout the reef system but has remained fairly stable since that period. White-band and white-plague disease have the highest presence of the white diseases and are monitored by the same system of reporting stations as the black diseases. They are reported to have peaked in 2002 and since have also stabilized. The individual diseases target specific types of coral but cumulatively attack the reef system as a whole to a significant degree.
Invasive species have posed a significant threat to the reef system in recent years; more than 18 species have been documented off of the South Florida coast. Fish such as the Pacu and Oscar, which are normally found in the Pacific Ocean, impact the reef system but their impact is considered insignificant at this time. On the other hand, the Lionfish, a voracious eater of small fish and crustaceans, has become a major concern due to its year-round reproduction capability which is responsible for its explosive expansion throughout the reef system. This specie's potential for the destruction of and for the altering of the delicate balance of the reef system is so feared that both public and private groups have organized reporting programs, hunts, and extensive research programs in an attempt to eradicate them. Many believe that eradicating the species at this point will be nearly impossible.
Opposite of species which are invasive to the reef and impose damage are species which are supportive to the health of the reef by the work they perform. One such species, the long-spined sea urchin, performs the important task of eating massive amounts of algae that grows on the coral. The removal of these algae allows the coral to avoid being smothered and blanketed from sunlight which allows it to function properly. Unfortunately, a water-borne pathogen caused a massive die-off of the long-spined sea urchin, up to 95% in some areas, which led to an algal overgrowth throughout the reef system. Rick Hill, third generation owner of Key Largo Fisheries, believes that this is one of the most important causes of the decline of the reef health near Key Largo.
The impact of human activity on land is responsible for many of the detrimental effects being experienced by the reef system. Development to support increased population produces major impacts to the environment. Reduced foliage, increased erosion, and increased pollution from run-off and sewage, are only a few of the by-products of major land development. South Florida has been one of the fastest growing areas in the country over the past few decades regarding residential and commercial development, and has contributed to the decline in water quality of the near-shore waters where the reef system is located. Though there are many variables concerning development's impact on the reef system which are difficult to pinpoint precisely, there is a general concurrence among the scientific community and the public that the land development over the past few decades in South Florida deserves its fair share of the blame for the declining health of the reef system. Population growth has also led to further impact from human activity taking place in the water.
Fishing can have a limited impact on an ecosystem as long as the detrimental effects are contained. This is done through conservation and regulation but in many cases these laws are powerless to control the lawbreakers and unintended consequences. For example, fishermen catch non-targeted species which are released but perish anyway due to the stress of the catch. Commercial fishermen are sometimes blamed for taking too much of a bounty from the sea but evidence proves the contrary. Since 1960, commercial fishing has been stable whereas in the same period recreational fishing has exploded in popularity and in the amount of seafood taken. Most commercial fisherman in the Florida Keys reside there and understand that conservation is a necessity but many of the recreational fisherman are only visiting and feel less of the impact that is a result of overfishing. The fish are a critical link in the reef system and removing too many of them has played a role in the decline of the reef's health.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are thought to be the number one most detrimental activity to the reef system by many of the locals who have lived in the Florida Keys for years. They base their opinion more on years of observation than on scientific experiments but still may have a valid argument. It is no surprise that people take things from the reef that they are not supposed to for souvenirs of their vacation, and they touch things when underwater that they shouldn't. The actions may seem harmless but the cumulative impact from the ever increasing amount of such activity plays a part in damage to the reef system. Education of this negative impact has helped but due to the volume of individuals in recent decades with an interest in these activities, the reef continues to be harmed. The ease in which people can participate in scuba diving and snorkeling has only assisted in the increased damage. Many locals believe there should be a ban on recreational diving, even if only temporarily.
Fishing and scuba diving have a common factor which is also responsible for much of the damage to the reefs: Boats. From the propeller damage to the seabed, to the dragging of anchors across coral, to the amount of pollution directly deposited near the reef system, boats are major players in the decline of the reef system's health. The amount of registered recreational boats in Monroe County alone, which is home to the Florida Keys, increased by over 1000%. This number of course does not include how many boats are registered in other locations of the country and trailered to the Keys to then be placed in the water upon arrival. The reefs do not get a break at any time during the year either because the temperature in South Florida supports boating year-round. Much like land development, the precise measurement of the impact of boats on the reef system may be difficult to arrive at, but it is obvious that they play a negative role.
Water quality is being researched in conjunction with other measurements in an attempt to discover correlations. The increases and decreases in disease growth rate among the various corals in different water quality conditions has become the focus of many researchers. The Southeast Environmental Research Center has a system called the Water Quality Monitoring Network which consists of 154 fixed sampling stations extending from north of Marco Island on South Florida's west coast and throughout the Florida Keys on both the bay side and ocean side, all the way to the Dry Tortugas which are 75 miles west of Key West. It is hoped that the information gathered from this research will provide answers to how water quality, that is in many cases influenced by human activity, can be altered to promote a healthy environment for the reef system while reducing or eliminating harmful impacts.
The coral itself grows at such a slow rate, even in perfect conditions, that many consider this to be its Achilles' heel. When a coral head that is several decades or even centuries old dies, it will take several decades or centuries for it to be replaced. The reason for great concern lies in this fact because when the current rates of decline are compared to the growth rate, the future outlook for the coral reef system is bleak. For many concerned scientists and citizens, the only answer is to reduce the rate of decline because increasing the rate of growth isn't a viable option or in some cases even a possibility. Fortunately, there are actions being taken to thwart off what could be the demise of the coral reef system.
Government agencies, educational institutions, and private organizations are working towards solutions as to what to do to save the reef system. Monitoring of the water quality, the coral itself, and the activities of humans is providing scientists with valuable information in the quest to ensure the future survival of the reef system. Coral farms have been underway for several years to research the possibility of man assisting in the rebuilding of the reef system. Regulations regarding land development, fishing, and sewage disposal have become increasingly restrictive in recent years to contribute to the effort. Education has become one of the most important tools in the multi-faceted attempt to solve the problem of reef system health decline. Information can be found from many different sources explaining what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what can be done by individuals to help in the effort to save the reef system. Flyers at marinas, public presentations, and frequent newspaper articles are just a few of the outlets which have been utilized to "get the word out." Considering that the reef system off of the Florida Keys is the third largest in the world, it will take a monumental effort to ensure its survival, and luckily that effort is well underway.
This is the first draft. A preliminary references page is being constructed which I will submit along with the updated version of this paper.
This is my first time using this service, so if there is something else I should be doing, please let me know.
The coral reef system located off of the Florida Keys has been showing considerable decline in health over the past few decades - over 44% reduction in hard coral coverage in the last 12 years alone - which has prompted the scientific community to search for the causes of this decline and develop solutions before the damage becomes irreparable. Scientists are investigating multiple potential causes both in the field and in the lab as well as using historical records in conjunction with current data to attempt to find clues that will help in solving this puzzle. With the official support of The National Marine Sanctuary, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Park Service, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among others, the effort to discover the reasons for the decline of coral coverage in the Florida Keys is well underway. Research has shown that some of the causes are directly linked to human activity while other causes are a result of Mother Nature.
Hurricanes are naturally occurring events that contribute to the decline in the health of the coral reef system in many ways. When hurricanes strike, they possess a destructive force known as storm surge that can inflict damage on the seabed to levels that exceed the amount of damage on land. Scouring that occurs because of storm surge can have a two-pronged effect: one, the sediment around the base of the coral heads will be removed and cause the coral to tip over which will place the coral in deeper water or cause the coral to be smothered, and two, the moving sediment can be deposited on top of existing coral also causing it to be smothered. Hurricanes also bring with them enormous amounts of rain which leads to extensive runoff and erosion that has multiple deleterious effects. The runoff deposits even more sediments into the ocean environment which contribute to the smothering of the coral. The water quality is harmed due to the many pollutants found in the runoff ranging from petroleum-based pollutants to sewage and nutrient overload. The enormous amounts of fresh water added to the near shore aquatic environment can also cause the coral to become shocked due to the change in salinity. One may ask the obvious question, "Hurricanes have been around for millennia, so why such an impact at this point in time?" and the answer may be found in global warming.
Global warming, a phenomenon which many believe is a result of greenhouse gases caused by human activity, is a contributor to reef decline. In addition to the increased frequency of hurricanes, global warming is the main culprit in rising sea-surface temperatures and increased ocean acidification. These effects alone have far-reaching effects on nearly all ocean life forms to some degree. Protecting the reefs from the effects of global warming has become the main focus of many biologists and environmental organizations. Alex Score, a biologist for EcoAdapt, is promoting a new climate change action plan that will help agencies work together to protect the reef system. Score says, "The big value of the plan is to heighten the public's awareness, and that seeing this plan implemented they will realize that climate change is happening and there is a commitment to address it." Bleaching caused by increased sea-surface temperatures is believed to be a major contributor to reef health decline.
Bleaching is a stress response to high sea water temperatures where the coral expels the beneficial algae that live within the coral polyps and give them the beautiful colors they are known for. Once the algae have been expelled, the coral becomes white in color and thus has a "bleached" appearance. These nutrient rich algae are an important part of the overall survival of the coral because once the algae has been expelled the coral becomes weak and is more susceptible to disease.
Diseases which have caused the greatest decline in coral cover and pose the greatest future threat have been classified into two main categories: black disease and white disease. Black-band, the prevailing black disease, peaked in 1998 according to measurements taken from multiple monitoring stations throughout the reef system but has remained fairly stable since that period. White-band and white-plague disease have the highest presence of the white diseases and are monitored by the same system of reporting stations as the black diseases. They are reported to have peaked in 2002 and since have also stabilized. The individual diseases target specific types of coral but cumulatively attack the reef system as a whole to a significant degree.
Invasive species have posed a significant threat to the reef system in recent years; more than 18 species have been documented off of the South Florida coast. Fish such as the Pacu and Oscar, which are normally found in the Pacific Ocean, impact the reef system but their impact is considered insignificant at this time. On the other hand, the Lionfish, a voracious eater of small fish and crustaceans, has become a major concern due to its year-round reproduction capability which is responsible for its explosive expansion throughout the reef system. This specie's potential for the destruction of and for the altering of the delicate balance of the reef system is so feared that both public and private groups have organized reporting programs, hunts, and extensive research programs in an attempt to eradicate them. Many believe that eradicating the species at this point will be nearly impossible.
Opposite of species which are invasive to the reef and impose damage are species which are supportive to the health of the reef by the work they perform. One such species, the long-spined sea urchin, performs the important task of eating massive amounts of algae that grows on the coral. The removal of these algae allows the coral to avoid being smothered and blanketed from sunlight which allows it to function properly. Unfortunately, a water-borne pathogen caused a massive die-off of the long-spined sea urchin, up to 95% in some areas, which led to an algal overgrowth throughout the reef system. Rick Hill, third generation owner of Key Largo Fisheries, believes that this is one of the most important causes of the decline of the reef health near Key Largo.
The impact of human activity on land is responsible for many of the detrimental effects being experienced by the reef system. Development to support increased population produces major impacts to the environment. Reduced foliage, increased erosion, and increased pollution from run-off and sewage, are only a few of the by-products of major land development. South Florida has been one of the fastest growing areas in the country over the past few decades regarding residential and commercial development, and has contributed to the decline in water quality of the near-shore waters where the reef system is located. Though there are many variables concerning development's impact on the reef system which are difficult to pinpoint precisely, there is a general concurrence among the scientific community and the public that the land development over the past few decades in South Florida deserves its fair share of the blame for the declining health of the reef system. Population growth has also led to further impact from human activity taking place in the water.
Fishing can have a limited impact on an ecosystem as long as the detrimental effects are contained. This is done through conservation and regulation but in many cases these laws are powerless to control the lawbreakers and unintended consequences. For example, fishermen catch non-targeted species which are released but perish anyway due to the stress of the catch. Commercial fishermen are sometimes blamed for taking too much of a bounty from the sea but evidence proves the contrary. Since 1960, commercial fishing has been stable whereas in the same period recreational fishing has exploded in popularity and in the amount of seafood taken. Most commercial fisherman in the Florida Keys reside there and understand that conservation is a necessity but many of the recreational fisherman are only visiting and feel less of the impact that is a result of overfishing. The fish are a critical link in the reef system and removing too many of them has played a role in the decline of the reef's health.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are thought to be the number one most detrimental activity to the reef system by many of the locals who have lived in the Florida Keys for years. They base their opinion more on years of observation than on scientific experiments but still may have a valid argument. It is no surprise that people take things from the reef that they are not supposed to for souvenirs of their vacation, and they touch things when underwater that they shouldn't. The actions may seem harmless but the cumulative impact from the ever increasing amount of such activity plays a part in damage to the reef system. Education of this negative impact has helped but due to the volume of individuals in recent decades with an interest in these activities, the reef continues to be harmed. The ease in which people can participate in scuba diving and snorkeling has only assisted in the increased damage. Many locals believe there should be a ban on recreational diving, even if only temporarily.
Fishing and scuba diving have a common factor which is also responsible for much of the damage to the reefs: Boats. From the propeller damage to the seabed, to the dragging of anchors across coral, to the amount of pollution directly deposited near the reef system, boats are major players in the decline of the reef system's health. The amount of registered recreational boats in Monroe County alone, which is home to the Florida Keys, increased by over 1000%. This number of course does not include how many boats are registered in other locations of the country and trailered to the Keys to then be placed in the water upon arrival. The reefs do not get a break at any time during the year either because the temperature in South Florida supports boating year-round. Much like land development, the precise measurement of the impact of boats on the reef system may be difficult to arrive at, but it is obvious that they play a negative role.
Water quality is being researched in conjunction with other measurements in an attempt to discover correlations. The increases and decreases in disease growth rate among the various corals in different water quality conditions has become the focus of many researchers. The Southeast Environmental Research Center has a system called the Water Quality Monitoring Network which consists of 154 fixed sampling stations extending from north of Marco Island on South Florida's west coast and throughout the Florida Keys on both the bay side and ocean side, all the way to the Dry Tortugas which are 75 miles west of Key West. It is hoped that the information gathered from this research will provide answers to how water quality, that is in many cases influenced by human activity, can be altered to promote a healthy environment for the reef system while reducing or eliminating harmful impacts.
The coral itself grows at such a slow rate, even in perfect conditions, that many consider this to be its Achilles' heel. When a coral head that is several decades or even centuries old dies, it will take several decades or centuries for it to be replaced. The reason for great concern lies in this fact because when the current rates of decline are compared to the growth rate, the future outlook for the coral reef system is bleak. For many concerned scientists and citizens, the only answer is to reduce the rate of decline because increasing the rate of growth isn't a viable option or in some cases even a possibility. Fortunately, there are actions being taken to thwart off what could be the demise of the coral reef system.
Government agencies, educational institutions, and private organizations are working towards solutions as to what to do to save the reef system. Monitoring of the water quality, the coral itself, and the activities of humans is providing scientists with valuable information in the quest to ensure the future survival of the reef system. Coral farms have been underway for several years to research the possibility of man assisting in the rebuilding of the reef system. Regulations regarding land development, fishing, and sewage disposal have become increasingly restrictive in recent years to contribute to the effort. Education has become one of the most important tools in the multi-faceted attempt to solve the problem of reef system health decline. Information can be found from many different sources explaining what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what can be done by individuals to help in the effort to save the reef system. Flyers at marinas, public presentations, and frequent newspaper articles are just a few of the outlets which have been utilized to "get the word out." Considering that the reef system off of the Florida Keys is the third largest in the world, it will take a monumental effort to ensure its survival, and luckily that effort is well underway.