Corals: The Ocean's Foundation

This week has been Coral Reef Awareness week. Coral reefs are the very foundation of our ocean. They are the lungs of our planet. Without them, there is no ocean. So many individuals are aware of the coral crisis, but it is hard to genuinely believe it is going on. Who could blame them? After all, the ocean could be completely empty and look the same. The unfortunate reality is that, without the coral, we have a dead ocean and without the ocean, we will have a planet a lot like Mars, as scientist Sylvia Earle says. Momentarily, I would like to set aside "global warming" and "climate change" and just focus on what coral is, but first be aware of the harsh reality that is a dying ocean.

The picture used below is a coral reef just a few miles off of Fort Lauderdale Florida taken on July 11, 2020 by me personally. This is coral bleaching. This is the grave yard of what used to be a reef full of vibrant color and biodiversity. This is the very beginning of the death of our ocean. The same ocean that we count on for survival. I have seen something many people have not which means I have the privilege to share with you the underwater world.

Sylvia Earle once said, "the ocean is completely innocent of everything humans do", a statement that captures the beauty of our oceans. It is our job to protect the ocean, but how can we do that if we do not know about what we are protecting? The perfect place to start is our coral. At first glance they may not be the most exciting animals, but dig in and you might be surprised! Did I say animal? Yes! Corals are animals but they are often mistaken as rocks or plants.

What are Coral?

Coral can live on their own however they are more commonly seen taking root inside of limestone reefs. The branches that we identify as coral are made up of tiny animals called polyps, which are colonial organisms related to sea anemones. Polyps are best described as a sac-like structure with a mouth that is surrounded by tentacles called cnidae, which have the ability to sting as many of us learned from the movie Finding Nemo. Polyps are made from calcium and carbonate ions found in seawater, which allow them to build up a firm skeletal structure. When they attach to their reefs, they multiply and become beautiful, vibrant coral reef ecosystems responsible for all life.

Still not convinced that corals are animals? Coral polyps are nocturnal animals that stay inside of their shells when there is light outside. When the sun sets, they come out from hiding, release their tentacles, and begin feeding. Within its tissues are small bits of algae that grow inside of their tissues, giving them the bright colors that we admire them for. Both its food source and color are supported by zooxanthellae, a type of alga.

Corals are complex animals that allow the ocean to operate, but unfortunately, we have lost 50% of coral reefs in the last 30 years. Because of their plant and animal diversity, corals are considered the foundation of the ocean, and without them, all the animals we know and love will soon perish. Why is this happening?

Oceans on the Rise

Saltwater does not like to change temperature, which means a climb in temperature by even two degrees is the same as the ocean living with a constant fever. This is where climate change comes in. Having a warmer ocean has a direct effect on coral. A warmer ocean equals ocean acidification (OA). Ocean Acidification is the chemical reaction between carbon dioxide and seawater, causing a rise in acidity. The OA rate has increased by 30%. With a higher amount of acidity, calcifying marine life like coral as stated early is highly at risk.

The Stress Response

In 2016, the longest mass coral bleaching event occurred, and in 2017 scientists observed the central third of the great barrier reef bleach itself. Coral bleaching is a stress response to higher levels of temperature in the water. Before the coral bleaches, it fluoresces in an attempt to help its algae survive. However, most times, a coral that has fluoresced is likely to see the algae leave the corals tissue. Once the coral is abandoned, it is left vulnerable and bleached, making it more susceptible to disease. Coral fluorescing and bleaching is not a natural cycle, it is a call for help and a warning to humans.

The Mutualistic Relationships

Every single plant and animal in the sea relies on one another. When science proves that the coral is dying off, there's a bigger picture to take in. If the coral dies, so does the ocean. It is a chain reaction. Over 25% of marine life are dependent on coral reefs. There are 4,000 fish known to live on reefs, 800 species of hard coral, and hundreds of other species that rely on them. Without the coral, we will see a mass extinction in the sea. Sylvia Earl once again stated, "It takes a lot of seeds to make enough mice and rabbits make a wolf; a lot of little plants to make sufficient numbers of small fish to make a shark." 

Why Should You Care?- How long can you hold your breath?

Coral are the regulators of temperature, without them the ocean will die and we will be living in 122 degree heat. Nearly half a billion of the world's population relies on coral reefs for medication, tourism, food, and coastal protection. Furthermore, every single individual walking on this planet relies on coral for air. Coral are the lungs of the earth and provide you and I the oxygen we breathe every day. Without them it is simple. No coral, no ocean. No ocean.... no life. We cannot exist without coral just like they can no longer exist without our help.

What Can You Do?

It is easy to begin feeling helpless when presented with a large problem, but small changes make a huge difference!

~ Choose sustainable food choices.

~ If you dive, do NOT touch anything.

~ If you dive, take pictures and submit them to organizations like "Chasing Coral" to help their research.

~ Check the ingredients in your sunscreen. Always make sure it is reef safe!

~ Conserve water to reduce runoff.

~ Walk more, drive less if possible.

~ Advocate!

~ Do your best. That is all anyone can ever do!

Sources & Statistics from: NOAA, National Geographic, Chasing Coral, and my personal knowledge gained from upper-level studies in environmental science, oceanography, biology, and chemistry.

As always, feel free to personally message me on any of my social media profiles and subscribe to this blog to keep on diving. Until next time!