Coral reefs are dying out because of extreme heat, overfishing, pollution, and the bleaching process that kills all life. This is unfortunate because they are home to millions of plants and animals. They provide food, life, and shelter for all kinds of beings. And from those small creatures and life forms they provide food for larger animals, and animals larger than them. Without the coral reefs thousands, if not more, creatures will die overtime, and it is already happening. When coral reefs die and there is no substitute than the creatures must make their way elsewhere in search of a new home, this makes them very vulnerable and often they will not make the journey, or rather they will not leave the coral reef area and die.
This is where a brand-new idea comes
into play. They are now taking abandoned subway cars, transporting them to the
desired area, and dropping them into the ocean. 2,500 were droppedinto the ocean in an attempt to create a new home for the coral reef to attachto as well as provide
some safety for the fish that rely on the coral reef. They are cleaned, as to
not to transmit any pollution to the water, and anything that could be removed
is removed and recycled before it is dropped. It provides shelter for fish that
are not fast enough to outswim a shark or something of that nature.
“Since the programme
began in 1995, the total biomass of marine life in the area covered by
Delaware's 14 artificial reefs has increased by a factor of 400”. This is good news for the fish! They
are respawning and thriving due to these homes being placed into the water. They
also provide a home for underwater plants to grow. They are taken over by
plants which provide an extra layer of protection from larger prey and make the
smaller fish feel at ease. The program started in 2001 and since then some of the subway
cars have dissolved or been broken down but overall, majority are still
contributing to increasing the fish population.
Artificial reefs are not
a new idea, in fact they date back to the 17th century In Japan where they would put out rubble
and rocks so that kelp could grow and increase their fishing hauls. The earliest
in the United States is from the 1830s in South Carolina where an artificial
reef was created. In these cases they were to increase the number of fish in
order to bring in more to eat or sell, but they can be used in a way to
increase the population and bring back diversity.
It is important that we understand
that these do not completely substitute the real thing and we still work hard
to cut down on pollution, overfishing, as well as bringing down the temperature
of the oceans. However, in the meantime they are an okay substitute that
creates a safe place for small fish, allows plants to grow that then can be
used as food for the teeming schools of fish that live in or near the subway
cars. I hope that eventually they will be able to return to their homes on a
real coral reef for nothing man made is better than the original. It is not a
surprise that the subway cars are breaking down overtime underwater, they are
nod made with that in mind. But, coral reefs, the real things are in fact made
for that in mind. Their purpose to be a home and food source for fish and
plants and should be protected.
It's pretty cool when people come up with creative solutions to dangerous problems. Reef conservation is massively important to not just the fish, but the lives of people living near shorelines as well. Reefs provide food for a lot of coastal populations as well as serving to absorb the energy from ocean waves that would otherwise cause erosion and flood coastlines, especially in a world with a rising water level.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing idea! In lots of rural and city locations, we have empty cars and tracks sitting around. We could be using these for so many other ways to protect the environment. I love how we discovered we can find new ways to integrate these technologies and things that would otherwise be garbage. This is a very informative and exciting post! Our coral reefs have been suffering for a long time now.
ReplyDeleteRight, it makes me think about all the junk yards in the U.S. that hold old car parts and busses that will never be touched again or recycled. We could initiate projects like this on a larger scale potentially.
DeleteThis was such an interesting read, our reefs are such an important ecosystem and I am glad that this method of attempting to preserve the reefs also allows for these discarded subway cars to be recycled
ReplyDeleteThis was really cool to read, Abby! I didn’t know old subway cars were being used like that it’s such a creative way to help marine life. I liked how you reminded us that it’s not a full replacement for coral reefs but still helps in the short term. I agree; we still need to fight pollution and protect the real reefs too. Thanks for explaining it so clearly!
ReplyDeleteI have actually never heard about this, let’s just say I’m a fan. I think this act of recycling for the greater good of our ecosystem is inspiring. I like how you noted that The subway cars are cleaned and everything is removed out of them.
ReplyDeleteWow! this is such good news that I never would have heard about without your blog. I love when human-made trash has a purpose that protects our marine friends. By providing hiding places, as well as places to breed, fish and many other kinds of sea life will have the safety needed to thrive. I hope more solutions like this come out.
ReplyDeleteArtificial reefs would certainly be something! I always love to read about the climate impacts on the ocean and reefs especially so this was a good blog.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea subway cars were being used like this! I really appreciate how you acknowledged that this isn't a permanent fix. Nothing man-made can truly replace the complexity and purpose of real coral reefs.
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ReplyDeleteRecycling subway cars to be used as artificial reefs is a genuinely innovative and interesting concept! I'm glad you shared this interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really cool idea, that we can make these artificial coral reefs by just recycling these old subway cars. Even tho this isn't the most ideal, atleast this is a temperary fix until we fix the rest of the planet.
ReplyDeleteIt is great idea to find a new purpose for these old subway cars. It is impossible to replace coral reefs, but it a interesting idea to help increase fish populations.
ReplyDeleteThis was such an interesting read, Abby! I have heard about this type of reef conservation but I had no idea that it dated back so far, what were the original reasons back in the 17th century and 1830s? Was it just to increase fish populations for economic or tourism purposes?
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those unintended awesomeness that trash that we have created gets turned into something honorable, I appreciate this blog
ReplyDeleteI've heard of old planes, boats, ships, and tires being used as points of growth encouragement, but not subway cars! A creative use for something that serves great purpose in its 'life', and a way to make use of it after 'death'. I do wonder if any of these artificial reefs have potential for unintentional pollutant leeching though, especially if they once contained any type of fuel or otherwise hazardous components.
ReplyDeleteI have no clue why but i am surprised that the some of the subway cars have completely broken down and dissolved! I wonder if this is a viable form of breaking down waste or if it negatively impacts the chemical composition of the water?
ReplyDeleteTransforming abandoned subway cars into artificial reefs offers a creative, temporary lifeline for marine life, but it underscores the urgent need to protect and restore natural coral ecosystems.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of people purposely sinking ships for this same reason. This is a really cool concept and clearly not more desirable than the real thing but still better than having no reef at all!
ReplyDeleteWow this is such a good idea! I had no clue that this was possible. I think that as a temporary substitution, it is a great solution for bringing back the fish and the coral reefs. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be inside those cars.
ReplyDeleteWell, better than nothing. The reefs I have seen diving are so rich with different types of corals and plant life it is a little off putting to think of these man made structures in their place, I have to admit.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing, creative idea to help coral reefs flourish. Of course it would be better if we did not need to do this, but is nice to know that some materials that would previously just go to waste can be used to help reefs sustain life like they did before human influence ruined many of them.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked to learn people were creating artificial reefs in 1830. It is sad how information and history can be forgotten and discarded so easily.
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