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Coral Reef Conservation: Vital Ecological Efforts

Learn about the delicate ecosystems of coral reefs, including plant and animal adaptations, economic value, human disturbance factors, and the conservation acts in place to protect these invaluable marine environments.

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Coral Reef Conservation: Vital Ecological Efforts

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  1. The Coral Reef Jillian and John

  2. Location • Along equator • Water Temperatures around 20 degrees C

  3. Climate • Average Temperature is 27 degrees C • No precipitation (underwater…) • Air and current temperatures, tides, and rainfalls • Closer to shore = more affected by tides • Reef flats uncovered at low tides

  4. Plant Adaptation

  5. Animal Adaptation

  6. Soil and Chemical Cycles • Polyps grow and bud off to form coral • Many of these polyp colonies put together forms a reef • Nitrogen, Ammonia, Phosphorus, and chlorophyll all need to be less than .014ppm.

  7. Economic Value • Reefs house diverse large populations of fish. • Tourist Attraction • Reefs a barrier against waves

  8. Human Disturbance • Humans have overfished hundreds of reefs • Humans have thrown off the delicate chemical balances in many reefs. • Construction obstructs the natural flow of currents and tides to reefs.

  9. Hawksbill Turtle Beak Like Head Distinctive Claws Unique to Species Heart Shaped Shells When Young Eretmochelys imbricata

  10. Location • Sandy Beaches in 60 Countries • Females Migrate Between Nesting and Feeding Areas • Reproduce every 2 to 3 years • Find their way with Ocean Currents • Feed on bottom sponges • Lives in coastal waters • Many different Habitats around beaches • Sex determination based around water temperature

  11. Causes of Endangerment • Increase Human Interaction • Poaching • Artificial Lighting • Predators • Common Problems of Beaches

  12. Level of Endangerment • Critically Endangered Level Varies from Place to Place • Human Interaction • Illegal Shell Trade • Market for Eggs and Meats • Deterioration of Coral Reefs • About 22,900 nesting females

  13. Conclusion • Only Protecting U.S. Beaches Not Enough • Shell Trade, Poaching, and Hunting Illegal in Majority of Countries • Conserve and Protect Remaining • Each Country has Own Plan

  14. Coral Reef Conservation Act • Enacted in 2000 • American Conservation Effort • Authorized by Congress and Bill Clinton • Continually Being Updated by Present Congress

  15. Provisions of Law • Preserve Coral Reefs • Management of Ecosystems • Better Information on Current Conditions • Financial Assistance for Conservation Projects

  16. Enforcement • Government Keeps Updating and Revising Law to Further Keep Coral Reef Safe • Hard to Enforce due to the Illegal Trade

  17. Changes to Conservation Act • Amendment in 2007 • It included More Protection to the Shores • Direct Removal of Marine Debris • Accuse Responsible Parties for Injury to Ecosystem

  18. Application to Coral Reef • Brings Attention to the Endangered Species and Ecosystem • Helping to Promote and Expand the Reef • Aiding in Restoring the Current Reef

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