BEFORE
There are many effects that coral reef destruction has on the environment. Acidification that builds up in the water is responsible for reducing the carrying capacity of water for calcium carbonate. When calcium carbonate is not present in water, then coral is unable to build its skeleton. When coral is unable to build its skeleton at all, it becomes very susceptible to erosion. It’s estimated that by 2050, only 15% of coral reefs will have sufficient calcium carbonate to grow.
As C02 levels rise and acidification increases, the biodiversity of coral reefs drops tremendously. Key species play a vital role in the production and survival of coral reefs. As coral reefs are destructed, these key species are severely threatened. In addition, hundreds of thousands of other species are wiped out due to coral reef destruction14. We all know how important our rainforests are for providing biodiversity. Well, coral reefs are the equivalent to underground rainforests.
CORAL REEF DESTRUCTION
BY CHRISTINA EUPHRAT