Yes it's true! There ARE coral reefs in Singapore! Really! And they're NATURAL reefs, which make them all the more precious. First of all, where are they? They're nowhere near Pulau Ujong (Mainland) so don't think they're right in your backyard. To find the reefs you have to look a bit further from here. Southeast of Jurong Island, there are islands with up to 1 KM of fringing coral reefs! There's offshore reefs there too, the longest one spans nearly 1.5 KM!
The problem is, these reefs are not too far from Jurong Island, not one of the cleanest Singaporean Islands. Fortunately, the government's trying it's best to stop the pollution from Jurong Island from reaching the reefs, and it's doing a pretty good job. But how long can they last? Only time will tell and that's why YOU have to make an effort to save the reefs!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Links
If you want more information, more information can be found on the links at the right. >>>>
Thanks!
Thanks!
10 methods to save coral reefs!
1. Don’t use chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers. Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products can still end up in the coral reefs and may pollute the waters that support coral.
2. Volunteer for a reef cleanup. If you don’t live near a coral reef, do what many people do with their vacation: visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the world’s treasures while helping to preserve it for our descendants.
3. Learn more about the many coral reefs. How many different species can live in a reef? What new and life-saving medicines have been discovered using corals?
4. Become a member of your local aquarium or zoo. Ask what they are doing and what donations can do toward saving the world’s coral reefs.
5. When you visit a coral reef, help keep it healthy by respecting all local guidelines, recommendations, regulations, and customs.
6. Join conservation organizations. Many of them have coral reef programs, and your donations could make a big difference.
7. Spread the word. Sharing the news gets everyone you speak with involved.
8. Be an informed customer. Consider carefully the coral objects that you buy for your decorations. Ask the store owner or manager from what country the coral is taken and whether or not that country has a management plan to insure that the harvest was legal and sustainable over time. Better yet, don't buy coral products so that a bit more corals are saved!
10. Don’t pollute. Don’t leave trash on the beach.
See more ways at:
http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/25list.html
2. Volunteer for a reef cleanup. If you don’t live near a coral reef, do what many people do with their vacation: visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the world’s treasures while helping to preserve it for our descendants.
3. Learn more about the many coral reefs. How many different species can live in a reef? What new and life-saving medicines have been discovered using corals?
4. Become a member of your local aquarium or zoo. Ask what they are doing and what donations can do toward saving the world’s coral reefs.
5. When you visit a coral reef, help keep it healthy by respecting all local guidelines, recommendations, regulations, and customs.
6. Join conservation organizations. Many of them have coral reef programs, and your donations could make a big difference.
7. Spread the word. Sharing the news gets everyone you speak with involved.
8. Be an informed customer. Consider carefully the coral objects that you buy for your decorations. Ask the store owner or manager from what country the coral is taken and whether or not that country has a management plan to insure that the harvest was legal and sustainable over time. Better yet, don't buy coral products so that a bit more corals are saved!
10. Don’t pollute. Don’t leave trash on the beach.
See more ways at:
http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/25list.html
When corals die, what will happen?
Small fish have no where to find shelter, and are also easier prey out in the open, so they have to move to other locations where corals are present. This affects the food web as the animals which prey on these small fish will slowly die of starvation if the fish are the only courcr of food they have. If they do have other sources of food, this food source will soon be depleted as there would have less food sources for the predators. The prey of the fish who relocate to other places will also be increasing in rapid amounts, with not enough predators to control them. This kills their food source as well, and sooner or later, the entire ecosystem would break down.
The loss of corals can even decrease the amount of money the city near the corals make, as less people would want to go scuba diving - since there are no more corals - and the tourism inductry would suffer. Yet, some countries still allow coral reefs to be wrecked.
When corals are destroyed, the water in that area would easily become muddy.
These are just some of the effects which would happen when corals die out.
Play a part in the fight to save corals now!
The loss of corals can even decrease the amount of money the city near the corals make, as less people would want to go scuba diving - since there are no more corals - and the tourism inductry would suffer. Yet, some countries still allow coral reefs to be wrecked.
When corals are destroyed, the water in that area would easily become muddy.
These are just some of the effects which would happen when corals die out.
Play a part in the fight to save corals now!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Coral Reefs around the world
So, what coral reefs are there?
1.GREAT BARRIER REEF
This reef is really.. Great! First of all, it's the world's largest natural reef. It's off the coast of Australia and it spans 2600 KILOMETERS! It's WHOPPING LARGE! It's about the length of Singapore, with ANOTHER 51 of them! It's a major tourist attraction, which is a good thing for the Australian tourist companies, but the bad thing is that a lot of them are taking "samples" back home and leaving trash. This is one big issue.
2. USS Oriskany
This sunken ship is actually the base of one of the largest artificial coral reefs. The coral is induced to grow on the ship, and it turns into a coral reef. This ship is located off the coast of California in the United States.
3.Indonesian Coral Reefs
This is where nearly half of the world's natural coral reefs are located. But nowadays, the pollution from Indonesian factories and businesses are bleaching the coral reefs. It's one of the most polluted reefs in the world too. And this is closer to home, so we must take action now!
1.GREAT BARRIER REEF
This reef is really.. Great! First of all, it's the world's largest natural reef. It's off the coast of Australia and it spans 2600 KILOMETERS! It's WHOPPING LARGE! It's about the length of Singapore, with ANOTHER 51 of them! It's a major tourist attraction, which is a good thing for the Australian tourist companies, but the bad thing is that a lot of them are taking "samples" back home and leaving trash. This is one big issue.
2. USS Oriskany
This sunken ship is actually the base of one of the largest artificial coral reefs. The coral is induced to grow on the ship, and it turns into a coral reef. This ship is located off the coast of California in the United States.
3.Indonesian Coral Reefs
This is where nearly half of the world's natural coral reefs are located. But nowadays, the pollution from Indonesian factories and businesses are bleaching the coral reefs. It's one of the most polluted reefs in the world too. And this is closer to home, so we must take action now!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Comparison
Here's a really short post, but I think it's important nonetheless. Here's a picture of how polluted the coral reefs were in 2006 and 1998.
(By the way, the redder the spot, the more polluted it is.)
See how bad the reefs are getting? That's why we must stop polluting those reefs!
(By the way, the redder the spot, the more polluted it is.)
See how bad the reefs are getting? That's why we must stop polluting those reefs!
So, Who Else is Doing This?
Hey hey, it's my first post! (Eugene)
So, who else is into this topic? Well, there are a few non-profit organizations, like these below. Go check out their websites, you can find quite a bit of info there!
http://globalcoral.org/
The Global Coral Reef Alliance
These guys are a group of people who, guess what?, are dedicated to saving coral reefs. So you think, hey, maybe these guys are people sitting back in armchairs eating chips all day, but no! They have very intelligent people in the organization, even scientists, who find new ways to save the coral reefs. One thing they did was the Biorock Project. It's a smart idea to create coral reefs! That's right, CREATE them.
http://www.cdnn.info/news/industry/i060216.html
Woah, this ship is MASSIVE! Well, this isn't really an organization, but it's probably one of the larges artificial reef project in the world. In 2006, the Oriskany was sunk to serve as a giant artificial reef. If you're sceptical, don't worry. The ship was drained of all flammable liquids and poisonous substances. The corals seemed to like it, because as of this year, most of the sunken wreck has been covered with coral. It's one of the most successful artificial reefs too.
Well, this is the end of my short post. You'll have to wait till tomorrow for another one from me.
So, who else is into this topic? Well, there are a few non-profit organizations, like these below. Go check out their websites, you can find quite a bit of info there!
http://globalcoral.org/
The Global Coral Reef Alliance
These guys are a group of people who, guess what?, are dedicated to saving coral reefs. So you think, hey, maybe these guys are people sitting back in armchairs eating chips all day, but no! They have very intelligent people in the organization, even scientists, who find new ways to save the coral reefs. One thing they did was the Biorock Project. It's a smart idea to create coral reefs! That's right, CREATE them.
http://www.cdnn.info/news/industry/i060216.html
Woah, this ship is MASSIVE! Well, this isn't really an organization, but it's probably one of the larges artificial reef project in the world. In 2006, the Oriskany was sunk to serve as a giant artificial reef. If you're sceptical, don't worry. The ship was drained of all flammable liquids and poisonous substances. The corals seemed to like it, because as of this year, most of the sunken wreck has been covered with coral. It's one of the most successful artificial reefs too.
Well, this is the end of my short post. You'll have to wait till tomorrow for another one from me.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
What coral reef destruction causes
The Negative Effects of Coral Reef Destruction
The End of Habitats with a High Density of Biodiversity:
Coral reefs are truly the rainforests of the sea. They cover only about 1% of the ocean floor, yet are home to about 25% of all marine life- approximately 35,000 to 60,000 different types of organisms. They are beautiful, lush, habitats brimming with natural resources.
The Demise of Economies Dependent on Reefs:
Many humans are dependent on Coral Reefs for their livelihood. It is estimated that reef fish and mollusks feed between thirty and forty million people each year. Also, beautiful and exotic reef fish can also be sold as pets, providing cash income to families in poverty stricken areas. Tourism provides the basis for entire economies in many regions. With responsible treatment of the reefs, it would be possible to sustain the lives of people who have close relationships with the reefs.
The Loss of Natural Coastal Protection:
Reefs form near the shores of low lying coastal lands. They are a natural barrier of protection against currents, strong waves, and storms. Without the reefs to slow the water before it reaches the shore, these areas are very vulnerable. In one area where a reef was destroyed, it cost about $10 million per kilometer to build a protective wall along the coastline.
Killing the Hope for a Cure:
Coral reefs are probable sources of medicines to cure the diseases that currently plague the earth. Chemicals found in the reefs have been used to treat ulcers, heart disease, leukemia, and more. In one of the most famous instances, AZT, which is based on chemicals extracted from a Caribbean reef sponge, has been used to treat HIV infections. Currently, more than half of all cancer research is focused on finding cures from marine sources. Every time a reef is destroyed, the chance of relieving the pain and suffering of people all over the world is reduced.
Shrinking a CO2 Sink:
As mentioned earlier, coral polyps use Carbon Dioxide to form their shells. This helps decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean and is one way the Earth combats pollution and works to regain homeostasis. With less coral, the ocean absorbs less Carbon Dioxide, leaving more in the atmosphere.
Source: http://plaza.ufl.edu/bettie/coralreef.html
The End of Habitats with a High Density of Biodiversity:
Coral reefs are truly the rainforests of the sea. They cover only about 1% of the ocean floor, yet are home to about 25% of all marine life- approximately 35,000 to 60,000 different types of organisms. They are beautiful, lush, habitats brimming with natural resources.
The Demise of Economies Dependent on Reefs:
Many humans are dependent on Coral Reefs for their livelihood. It is estimated that reef fish and mollusks feed between thirty and forty million people each year. Also, beautiful and exotic reef fish can also be sold as pets, providing cash income to families in poverty stricken areas. Tourism provides the basis for entire economies in many regions. With responsible treatment of the reefs, it would be possible to sustain the lives of people who have close relationships with the reefs.
The Loss of Natural Coastal Protection:
Reefs form near the shores of low lying coastal lands. They are a natural barrier of protection against currents, strong waves, and storms. Without the reefs to slow the water before it reaches the shore, these areas are very vulnerable. In one area where a reef was destroyed, it cost about $10 million per kilometer to build a protective wall along the coastline.
Killing the Hope for a Cure:
Coral reefs are probable sources of medicines to cure the diseases that currently plague the earth. Chemicals found in the reefs have been used to treat ulcers, heart disease, leukemia, and more. In one of the most famous instances, AZT, which is based on chemicals extracted from a Caribbean reef sponge, has been used to treat HIV infections. Currently, more than half of all cancer research is focused on finding cures from marine sources. Every time a reef is destroyed, the chance of relieving the pain and suffering of people all over the world is reduced.
Shrinking a CO2 Sink:
As mentioned earlier, coral polyps use Carbon Dioxide to form their shells. This helps decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean and is one way the Earth combats pollution and works to regain homeostasis. With less coral, the ocean absorbs less Carbon Dioxide, leaving more in the atmosphere.
Source: http://plaza.ufl.edu/bettie/coralreef.html
How coral is destroyed
The Destruction of Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are being destroyed by anthropogenic fluxes in their environment. These fluxes are caused both directly by people who have physical contact with the reefs and by all other people who contribute to earth’s pollution.
Direct Contact: Fishing
Tourism has caused severe damage to the reefs. Corals are often removed from their habitat to be sold as souvenirs. Also, in some coastal areas with rapidly growing populations and development, piers and docks have been built right on top of coral reefs. Careless divers often inadvertently destroy coral reefs by kicking them or dropping anchors from their boats directly onto the coral. In poorer countries, septic waste from resorts often leaks out into the ocean, killing off the fragile corals.
However, much of the destruction of coral reefs is caused by people who have never even seen a reef. The pollution which has adversely affected the earth over the last century has had a dramatic effect on the health of the reefs.
Pollution: Global Warming and Ozone Depletion
Oil spills, waste dumping, and other byproducts of human advances have resulted in the contamination of the oceans. When the homoeostasis of the reef area is lost, there is an overgrowth of algae. When too much algae grows on the reef, the coral cannot get enough oxygen and is the reef is effectively smothered by Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide.
Coral reefs are being destroyed by anthropogenic fluxes in their environment. These fluxes are caused both directly by people who have physical contact with the reefs and by all other people who contribute to earth’s pollution.
Direct Contact: Fishing
Humans destroy coral reefs directly through unfriendly fishing habits. Many coral reefs are overfished, destroying their sustainability. In other areas, practices like cyanide fishing and blast fishing destroy reefs. Cyanide fishing is a method in which divers squirt cyanide into reef crevices and onto fish, stunning them and making them easy to catch. Small organisms, especially coral polyps, are killed by the cyanide in this process. Blast fishing, in which explosives or gun shots are sent into the reefs, can completely destroy the reef structure.
Direct Contact: Tourist Economies
Direct Contact: Tourist Economies
Tourism has caused severe damage to the reefs. Corals are often removed from their habitat to be sold as souvenirs. Also, in some coastal areas with rapidly growing populations and development, piers and docks have been built right on top of coral reefs. Careless divers often inadvertently destroy coral reefs by kicking them or dropping anchors from their boats directly onto the coral. In poorer countries, septic waste from resorts often leaks out into the ocean, killing off the fragile corals.
However, much of the destruction of coral reefs is caused by people who have never even seen a reef. The pollution which has adversely affected the earth over the last century has had a dramatic effect on the health of the reefs.
Pollution: Global Warming and Ozone Depletion
Global warming has translated into oceanic warming, the rising temperature of earth’s oceans. This process, combined with the depletion of earth’s ozone and subsequent increases in ultraviolet radiation, has lead to what is known as “coral bleaching”. Coral bleaching occurs when the coral polyps, stressed by changes in temperature or UV radiation, expel the zooxanthellae which are necessary for their survival. This not only “bleaches” them and causes them to lose their color, it often leads to their death.
Pollution: Increased CO2Increases in the amounts of carbon dioxide found in water have had an adverse effect on coral. The Carbon Dioxide seems to be dissolving the coral skeletons and making them much weaker. The process has been compared to osteoporosis in humans, and is leaving the fragile coral structures weak and even more vulnerable to anthropogenic fluxes.
Pollution: Water Contamination
Pollution: Water Contamination
Oil spills, waste dumping, and other byproducts of human advances have resulted in the contamination of the oceans. When the homoeostasis of the reef area is lost, there is an overgrowth of algae. When too much algae grows on the reef, the coral cannot get enough oxygen and is the reef is effectively smothered by Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide.
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