Identify one additional anthropogenic threat to the
world's coral reef ecosystems
Describe how the threat damages coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems
Increased ocean temperature
- Coral bleaching (loss of the algal symbiont)
- Reduction of dissolved oxygen concentration
Recreational activities, such as watercraft, scuba, snorkeling, swimming, etc.
- Physical damage to/destruction of coral reefs
Fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, dynamite fishing, overfishing, etc.
- Physical damage to/destruction of coral reefs
- Removal of key species disrupts the food web/causes a trophic cascade
- Removal of key species disrupts the food web/causes a trophic cascade
Nutrient pollution (from agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, etc.)
- Cultural eutrophication and eventual decrease in
dissolved oxygen levels
Sediment pollution (from logging operations, mining, etc.)
- Increased turbidity/reduction in light penetration
- Deposited sediments cover/smother coral reefs
Chemical pollution, such as oil spills, pesticide runoff, sunscreen,
etc.
- Disruption of reproduction and growth cycles
- Disruption of metabolic processes
- Endocrine disruption/DNA damage
- Reduction in light penetration
Plastic/solid waste pollution
- Physical damage to/destruction of members of the coral reef ecosystem
- Reduction of light penetration
- Physical damage to/destruction of members of the coral reef ecosystem
Introduction of invasive species
(lionfish/turkey fish, Philippine
mantis shrimp, etc.)
- Invasive species can outcompete native species