Biodiversity Depletion in the Coral Triangle

Location

The issue of biodiversity depletion in our oceans is a global one because climate change and water pollution affect our aquatic ecosystems everywhere
Specifically, depletion in the Coral Triangle is a regional issue located between the Pacific and Indian Ocean
It is spread across the continents of Asia and Australia
Includes all or part of six countries in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
Influenced by major currents flow from Pacific to Indian Ocean; thermohaline circulation
Terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems are affected by this problem
Multiple species: tuna, turtles, 600 different species of reef-building corals, sharks, whales, etc.

Coral Triangle has the highest coral biodiversity in the world therefore, we must take appropriate measures to protect it.

Coral Triangle also contains the highest number of biodiversity for coral reef fish.

History

The detrimental issues associated with the coral triangle are fairly recent.
Not until the post-war era that coral biogeography made its appearance in the scope of marine biogeography.
John Wells was an American Paleontologist who published a table of coral in respect to their locations in the world.
The Coral Triangle itself was introduced in relation to science and fish in 1998. Since that time, it has received a lot of attention from conservationists and other scientific reports.

Science/ Underlying Causes of Issue

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Climate change is one of the biggest factors. Sea warming, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification are the results.
If the amount of CO2 goes above 450 parts per million it is severely detrimental to the growth of coral.
Bycatch is also a severe issue in the well-being of the coral triangle.
Overfishing and destructive fishing harm the reefs and kill off fish as well as other animals.

Consequences

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If the algae gets too hot, it dies, and the coral dies along with it, losing it bright color as well. This is called bleaching.
The rise of CO2 also makes it difficult for the coral to form hard skeletons.
The rising sea level threatens the coastal communities in the coral triangle, along with sea turtles that use the beach to lay their eggs (Endangered animals of the ocean are in harms way).

How are Humans Affected?

The Coral Triangle’s resources provide for over 120 million people. The coral environment gives food to the local coastal communities as well as supplying for global consumption.
Fishing is the main source of income for many people living around the Coral Triangle.
Fish population is diminishing faster than the fish’s population can recover. The fish that are in the most global demand in the fish industry are tuna, grouper, and snapper.
Reduce the fishing and tourism industry for local people and threaten their food supply.

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Larger Consequences of the Problem

Coral reefs, in general, are very sensitive to warming sea temperature—more so than other parts of the ocean. This is not only a problem for the indigenous people of the coral triangle, but also global populations.
Coral isn’t the only habitat that is threatened; mangroves and sea grasses are also threatened from rising sea levels that accompany the warming of the ocean.
The world will have unhealthy coastal environments if CO2 levels increase at the predicted rate. Human poverty will sky rocket, societies will weaken which will lead people to congregate in urban areas, creating more problems in cities with the growing population.

An inter-governmental agreement exists between the six countries called The Coral Triangle Initiative. CTI is supported by The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, and The World Wildlife Fund for Nature. These organizations work closely with the six main countries to find solutions to improve the quality of human and animal life in the area.

Climate Change Solutions: (SST change, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, mass coral bleaching)

Prioritize significant CO₂ emission to reduce the rate and change of climate change

The WWF recommends making steep global cuts in emission levels that are 80% below the levels they were in 1990 by 2050

Renewed interest in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

Responsible for climate impacts from increased sea-levels and storm activity

Water quality regulations

Anthropogenic Solutions: (destructive fishing, vulnerability of coastal communities)

Sustainable fisheries and fishing regulations

International Seafood Sustainability Foundation - protect tuna stock and reduce bycatch; can be done through aquaculture sources to reduce risk of endangered fish stock
Alternative fishing hooks can also be used to reduce bycatch, especially that of turtles

The Nature Conservancy began The Coral Triangle Initiative in order to protect the coastal resources that feed and support the economy of the people that live there
Development and effective management of marine protected areas

underwater tract is set aside and locally protected; promotes replenishing of fish and reefs

Finally, an overall enforcement of the policies made.

Conclusion

The issue will never completely be solved but it can be stabilized and the current condition can be improved
Harmful effects will still exist because of the extensive amount of CO2 in the atmosphere
This issue is like the domino-effect so although we do not live in the Coral Triangle there are still things that we can do to help such as being more energy efficient

Resources

Adhuri, D., Alino, P., . . . Weeratunge, Nireka. "Food Security and the Coral Triangle Initiative." Marine Policy. March 2013. Web. March 3, 2015.

"Coral Triangle". WorldWildlife.org: World Wildlife Fund. http://www.worldwildlife.org/places/coral-triangle. Web. March 2, 2015.

Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Hoegh-Guldberg, H, . . . Oliver J. "The Coral Triangle and Climate Change: Ecosystems, People, and Societies at Risk." World Wildlife Fund. May 2009. Web. March 5, 2015

Huang D, Roy K. 2015 The future of evolutionary diversity in reef corals. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 370: 20140010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2014.0010

Mcleod, Elizabeth. "Sea-level rise vulnerability in the countries of the Coral Triangle". Springer. July 1, 2010. Web. March 4, 2014.

"The Coral Triangle Atlas". The Nature Conservancy. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific/coraltriangle/explore/coral-triangle-atlas.xml. Web. March 3, 2015