Ocean Ecosystems in Danger:
Climate change will impact almost every aspect of our lives and will change the world around us. A large part of this impact is on ocean ecosystems with ocean acidification, warming temperature, and rising sea levels. These effects will cause damage or destruction to these crucial ecosystems. Many different countries rely on the sea for a source of food or for economic gain. Maintaining and preserving these indispensable ecosystems is essential for our planet.
Coral Reefs:
Coral Reef are extremely sensitive ecosystem that already being impacted by climate change. Ocean acidification and warming temperatures are bleaching coral reefs. NOAA This has a huge impact on wildlife as many fish species use these reefs as nurseries for breeding. Other large fish use it as hunting grounds which helps prevent over feeding which keeps reefs healthy. When the coral bleaches it removes a food source and habitat for ocean wildlife causing a decrease in their populations.
Mangroves:
Mangroves are a key part of any coastal defense against hurricanes and other rough weather. They also provide nurseries for fish and other sea life. They are in danger though with deforestation, sea level rise, and warming temperatures impacting their environment. Ecosystems Health and Sustainability This has a great effect on wildlife with them losing their habitat and their source of food. It also harms us by removing a barrier that reduces the impact of hurricanes. With Tampa Bay removing 50% of their mangroves, it is no surprise to see the impact of hurricanes there. WWF
Coastal Wetlands:
Wetlands are a natural sponge absorbing large amounts of water and help reduce the impact of hurricanes. They also help preserve water and create habitats for many different animals. Wetlands also help absorb carbon emissions act like a carbon sink. Washington State Department of Ecology They can reduce the impact of hurricanes by absorbing the excess water from this extreme weather. They are being filled in and removed to make room for development. This will have a huge impact on floods and hurricanes.
Coastlines:
Rising sea level and increased storm intensity are impacting coastlines throughout the world. Wildlife depends on these environments being stable and present. Sea turtles and sea birds require this ecosystem for nesting. When it is removed for human development or disappearing underneath the sea, wildlife is impacted.
This post really drives the fact that no area is exempt from the effects of climate change, I appreciate that you highlighted an array of vast ocean ecosystems endangered by the warming of our planet alongside the wildlife that relies on these ecosystems to thrive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Joe. I didn’t realize how much coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands, and coastlines all work together to protect both animals and people. It’s sad to see how climate change and human actions are damaging them. I think we need to do more to protect these areas they’re not just nature, they’re part of our safety too.
ReplyDeleteThe Earth is set up in an incredible way but we come and destroy so much for our own greed. Coral reefs, mangroves, costal wetlands, and coastlines all have an unique job to do but they are ineffective if we pollute them and rip them out. We are upset when they do not do what they are designed to do and we feel the negative affects and yet we are the ones destroying them.
ReplyDeleteThe world is in danger. Nothing on earth is safe from the effects of climate change. Posts like these are incredibly disheartening knowing that humans are causing these damages.
ReplyDeleteThe impact of climate change on bleaching coral reefs is often mentioned, but barely gone into like you have. People tend not to care about things that are distant and hard to understand like the coral reefs since they can imagine a world without them. However, a world without thriving and healthy coral reefs is not a world any of us want to be alive for.
ReplyDeleteMangroves are always interesting to me and I was glad to read more about them. They are so protective to their environments and inhabitants so it will be sad to see them decrease.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary how interconnected everything is. Coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands, and coastlines all play such a huge role in protecting wildlife and us.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the amount of protection that mangroves serve for our coastline. The pictures you included show how beautiful these ecosystems are; it is so sad to see how we are damaging them.
ReplyDeleteIt's terrifying how in danger these aquatic ecosystems are, just from climate change. When these different ecosystems start to go away, the world as well know it will never be the same. Everything is connected and help each other to survive.
ReplyDeleteThese ecosystems need to be protected at all costs. Its crazy to see how much of our activities seem to effect the land, air, (and in this post) the life in the water (Still will never swim in the ocean because i watch shark week)
ReplyDeleteIt seems that as coastline real-estate becomes ever more desirable, we bulldoze the natural beauty that was already there and keeping the areas stable. It'll be ironic when the shifting sands and rising tides and crumbling cliffs inevitably come for the very same real-estate and make it part of the coast, not just coast-adjacent.
ReplyDeleteIt is really pertinent how you dive into the issue of mangrove trees, especially since that is a topic in another article this week as well. Yusuf's article dives specifically into the issue of mangrove trees and expands that aspect of the conversation.
ReplyDeleteClimate change is severely threatening ocean ecosystems from coral reefs to coastlines putting marine life, coastal communities, and global stability at risk.
ReplyDeleteI love that you covered so many issues at one time. This post really brings light to these really needed environments and ecosystems.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you covering the several aspects and benefits that the oceans and coastal areas provide. It is so sad that these unique and beautiful features are being destroyed with the growing climate, especially because these ecosystems protect human beings from extreme weather and absorb CO2. It will be a scary world if these ecosystems die out.
ReplyDeleteYou make a crucial point when you say that coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The entire ecology that depends on coral reefs for breeding and hunting grounds is disrupted when they bleach, in addition to having an impact on marine biodiversity.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see that one of the UN's Sustainability Goals was addressing life in the oceans.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you covered and discussed multiple different beautiful ecosystems that play pertinent roles in protecting the environment. I had no idea that coastal wetlands were carbon sinks, nor that they helped reduce the impacts of hurricanes.
ReplyDeleteThe places in the photos are truly beautiful places. It is incredible that coral reefs have such an impact on these ecosystems.
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