How Warming and Acidic Oceans will Eliminate Coral Reef Habitats

Recent research presented at the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020 in San Diego indicates that virtually all existing coral reef habitats will become extinct by 2100, posing considerable obstacles to restoration efforts in these locations.

According to scientists, global warming and pollution will result in a 70–90 percent decline in coral reefs over the next two decades. Several organizations are seeking to reduce the incidence of coral bleaching by transplanting laboratory-grown corals to dying reefs. They hope that by introducing new, young corals, they can help the reef rebuild and reclaim its former strength.

Even if such efforts were successful, there would be few to no coral ecosystems left by 2100, according to a recent study describing the locations where such efforts would be most successful over the next several decades. To assess whether a place is suitable for restoration, preliminary data indicate that the sea surface temperature and water acidity are the most critical factors. Let us know how a warming ocean affects coral reefs.

The oceans and its future

Renee Setter, a biogeographer at the University of Hawaii Manoa who will discuss the new findings, stated that by 2100, “things appear to be in bad shape.” “The year 2100 is going to be a dark time.”

According to the experts, the research demonstrates some of the catastrophic implications of global warming on marine life in the future. There can be no doubt that pollution poses significant dangers to marine life. However, a new study demonstrates that corals are particularly vulnerable to habitat changes caused by emissions.

“Both attempts to combat pollution and to clean up the beaches are praiseworthy. To be effective, we must continue to make this effort.” Setter expressed his thoughts as a member of the organization. When it comes down to it, the scientists say, if we want to maintain coral reefs and mitigate stress, we should advocate for climate change mitigation policies. Now you know how a warming ocean affects coral reefs.

Temperature VS Corals 

You might be thinking “Does temperature and acidification affect coral reefs?” Let us answer it. 

Scientists anticipate that as ocean temperatures rise, coral reefs worldwide will become increasingly susceptible, resulting in population loss. Corals are affected by rising water temperatures, and in order to survive, they eject the symbiotic algae that dwell inside them. Coral bleaching is the process through which vibrantly colored corals lose their color. While bleached reef-building corals are not always dead, climate change is increasing their mortality risk and the frequency and severity of these bleaching events. Now you know how a warming ocean affects coral reefs.

Coral restoration strategy

Setter and her colleagues developed a strategy for coral restoration activities over the next three to five decades, identifying which marine locations would be best suited for such operations. To gain a better understanding of how corals survive in the wild and what factors contribute to their decline, scientists ran computer simulations in areas where corals are now flourishing. Scientists were able to estimate the amount of waste that will be thrown into neighboring waters as a result of pollution and overfishing by using parameters such as human population density and land cover use.

According to Setter’s estimate, the vast majority of websites are unavailable. Apart from that, only a few locations in Baja California and the Red Sea will be accessible by 2100, which are not favorable for coral reefs due to their proximity to rivers. By 2100, just a small portion of the Caribbean and Mediterranean were deemed viable.

Acidic Water and Coral Reefs

Climate change is projected to damage coral reef ecosystems through sea-level rise, changes in tropical storm frequency and intensity, and changes in ocean circulation patterns. As a result, the functioning of coral reef ecosystems, as well as the products and services provided by coral reef ecosystems, are dramatically disrupted.

Acidification of the oceans, for example, poses a threat to corals. Carbon dioxide is stored in the oceans (CO2). Carbonic acid is generated when carbon dioxide and seawater come into contact. Carbon dioxide emissions are rising, which means that more CO2 is entering the oceans, raising the level of carbonic acid. This is How acidic water affects coral reefs.

The capacity of seawater to hold calcium carbonate reduces as it becomes more acidic. Calcium carbonate is an essential building block for the shells and exoskeletons of many marine animals, including coral. Shells that aren’t protected from the elements will weaken with time. Breakable, slow-growing coral reefs decay quicker than they create. Even entire species are at risk of extinction.

People in the Philippines are working to increase awareness of the dangers of ocean acidification. Reduced carbon emissions and support for the world’s fragile coral reef ecosystems will require global action, though.

Coral reefs are under threat from rising ocean acidity, which makes coral skeleton construction more difficult. Scientists now have a better understanding of how ocean acidification affects coral skeletons, which helps them predict where corals would be most vulnerable as a result.

Conclusion

According to experts, rising ocean temperatures and acidification are the key causes of coral habitat decline. It seems unlikely that human pollution will have a significant impact on the extinction of coral reef habitats since humans have already done so much damage to coral reefs that there are very few places left where they may have an impact. Now you know how a warming ocean affects coral reefs.