Navigation Links
Coral reefs will be permanently damaged without urgent action
Date:10/31/2007

Coral reefs could be damaged beyond repair, unless we change the way we manage the marine environment. New research by the Universities of Exeter and California Davis, published today (1 November 2007) in Nature, shows how damaged Caribbean reefs will continue to decline over the next 50 years.

Coral reefs conjure up images of rich, colourful ecosystems yet an increasing number of reefs are becoming unhealthy and overrun by seaweed. The research team wanted to test whether reefs that are overgrown with algae could return to good health if the original causes of the problem, such as fishing or pollution, were addressed. This could mean, for example, reducing fishing or introducing better sewage management. The study revealed that the answer is no because coral reefs can become permanently unhealthy.

In the 1980s, reefs in the Caribbean were hit by the devastating impact of the near-extinction of the herbivorous urchin, Diadema antillarum, with devastating results. Along with parrotfish, this grazing urchin kept seaweed levels down, creating space for coral to grow. Parrotfish are now the sole grazers of seaweed on many Caribbean reefs, but fishing has limited their numbers. With insufficient parrotfish grazing, corals are unable to recover after major disturbances like hurricanes and become much less healthy as a result. The team discovered this result by creating and testing a computer model that simulates the effects of many factors on the health of Caribbean reefs.

Professor Peter Mumby of the University of Exeter, lead author on the paper said: The future of some Caribbean reefs is in the balance and if we carry on the way we are then reefs will change forever. This will be devastating for the Caribbeans rich marine environment, which is home to a huge range of species as well as being central to the livelihood of millions of people.

The paper argues that in order to secure a future for coral reefs, particularly
'/>"/>

Contact: Esther White
pressoffice@exeter.ac.uk
01-392-262-307
University of Exeter  
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. New Species of Coral Discovered Off Southern California
2. Tsunami-damaged coral reefs should be left to recover naturally, say scientists
3. Researchers appeal for new regulations to save coral reefs from live fish trade
4. Hidden sponges determine coral reefs nutrient cycle
5. Marine conservation organizations team up to conduct Indonesia coral reefs assessment
6. Health of coral reefs detected from orbit
7. Scientists look to the Bahamas as a model for coral reef conservation
8. Tiny polyps gorge themselves to survive coral bleaching
9. Too much sugar not good for coral reefs
10. Sea corals trick helps scientists tag proteins
11. How marine reserves are giving coral reefs a helping hand
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Coral reefs will be permanently damaged without urgent action
(Date:5/21/2013)... of all types become most deadly when they metastasize ... reached this stage, it becomes very difficult for doctors ... develop. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have ... lymphoma tumor cells wherever they may be in the ... the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, says being able ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... The American Chemical Society (ACS), the world,s largest ... 246th National Meeting & Exposition, September 8-12, 2013, ... the Indiana Convention Center and at area hotels. ... discoveries that span science,s horizons from astronomy ... broadcast and online journalists a rich assortment of ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... genes function without changing the underlying DNA sequence, ... pregnant women during any trimester, potentially providing a ... after giving birth, and an opportunity to intervene ... the small study involving 52 pregnant women are ... . , "Postpartum depression can be harmful to ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):MU researchers develop radioactive nanoparticles that target cancer cells 2Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 2Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 3
... small biotech company in Boulder, CO, announced today that they ... The FluChip was invented by a joint team of ... Disease Control and Prevention in an NIH sponsored effort led ... CEO of InDevR, said that InDevR has arranged to test ...
... grants totaling $24 million in U.S. dollars have ... hospitals to fund studies related to asthma and ... cancer. The extramural grants were awarded by ... for Science, Technology and Research), the government agency ...
... The Entomological Society of America (ESA) will feature ... Meeting in Indianapolis, December 13-16, 2009. Integrative ... Cold Case Files: Integrative Perspectives on Physiological ... Evolutionary Arms Race of Resistance in Herbivores ...
Cached Biology News:FluChip technology licensed to combat deadly flu virus 2Alzheimer's, asthma, cancer, malaria and TB focus of new Singapore grants 2Alzheimer's, asthma, cancer, malaria and TB focus of new Singapore grants 3Alzheimer's, asthma, cancer, malaria and TB focus of new Singapore grants 4Symposia selected for Entomological Society of America meeting 2Symposia selected for Entomological Society of America meeting 3Symposia selected for Entomological Society of America meeting 4
(Date:5/21/2013)... new study led by George Washington University Professor ... of ice in small droplets is strongly size-dependent, ... the nanoscale. The formation of ice at the ... whose answer also has important implications for climate ... of ice from supercooled water is generally initiated ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013 ... Dialysis and Transplant Association) is the biggest congress in ... replacement therapy. Nearly 10,000 participants are in ... the latest research findings. New pioneering studies have been ... "SOLUBLE FERRIC PYROPHOSPHATE (SFP) ADMINISTERED VIA HEMODIALYSATE REDUCES ESA ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 ... and financial services company for clinical trials, announced ... Aggregate Spend Solutions, LLC. Clinverse’s ClinPay® FLS ... automated investigator payment process. SpendMD ™, ... only complete solution for tracking and reporting transfer ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... 21, 2013 According to a ... http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com ) "Biochip Products and Services Market (Microarrays, Reagents, ... Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012 - 2018," the market ... is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% ... of USD 4.7 billion in 2018. Browse ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Study led by GW professor provides better understanding of water's freezing behavior at nanoscale 2ERA-EDTA CONGRESS 2013: Late Breaking Clinical Trials 2ERA-EDTA CONGRESS 2013: Late Breaking Clinical Trials 3Clinverse, Inc. Announces Strategic Alliance with Aggregate Spend Solutions, LLC 2Clinverse, Inc. Announces Strategic Alliance with Aggregate Spend Solutions, LLC 3The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 2The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 3The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 4The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 5
... China, May 14 Simcere Pharmaceutical,Group (NYSE: SCR ), ... of the patented anti-cancer biotech,product Endu in China, today announced ... conferences:, * Brean Murray Carret & Co. ... Waldorf-Astoria in New York on Monday, May 19, 2008 at ...
... 14 SynCo Bio Partners B.V., a leading,GMP ... manufacture and release of ActoGeniX, drug substance AG011 ... ulcerative colitis patients., ActoGeniX is focused on ... of protein-based biopharmaceuticals that can,be orally administered. The ...
... CITY, New Jersey, May 14, Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq: ... results on May 21, 2008, before the,U.S. markets open. ... webcast to discuss these results at 4:30 p.m. ET ... call, U.S. and Canadian participants may,dial +1-866-966-5335; international participants ...
Cached Biology Technology:Simcere Pharmaceutical Group to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences in New York 2SynCo Bio Partners Completes Manufacture and Release of ActoGeniX' Lead Product for Phase II Clinical Trials 2SynCo Bio Partners Completes Manufacture and Release of ActoGeniX' Lead Product for Phase II Clinical Trials 3Rosetta Genomics Announces Conference Call and Webcast of First Quarter Financial Results 2
... Magnetofection technology, SilenceMag is the most ... rapid and easy to use, SilenceMag ... Specifically designed for siRNA delivery, SilenceMag ... low doses of siRNA.,SilenceMag formulation gives ...
... Last innovation from Magnetofection technology, SilenceMag ... system available. Simple, rapid and easy ... and non toxic. Specifically designed for ... silencing at very low doses of ...
... 4 H 10 O 2 S ... SPECIFICATIONS Form: White crystalline powder Assay: ... Identity: By IR Melting Point: greater ... DTT: less than or equal to ...
... Software reads and processes raw ... microarray data for analysis. ... one 2-year license for Feature ... , * one CD-ROM ...
Biology Products: