A closer look at coral reefs

A closer look at coral reefs
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The Tubbataha Reef, one of the highlights of Philippine marine biodiversity, is in danger of being extinguished by a warmer and more acidic ocean.

The Tubbataha Reef, one of the highlights of Philippine marine biodiversity, is in danger of being extinguished by a warmer and more acidic ocean.

Saildiving.com (2016)

Coral reefs are one of the most frequently cited indicators of the severity of climate change. The alarming loss of these ecosystems in recent years due to the changing dynamics of the ocean have helped spark global action on biodiversity conservation. Despite increased attention on their conservation, the state of coral reefs remain at a dire state in various regions worldwide, especially in the Philippines. As the world approaches an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius in its temperature, their situation is bound to get worse.

What it means to the Philippines

Marine biodiversity is an integral part of Philippine culture and development. The archipelagic country’s location along the tropical Pacific offers it with an environment of unrivaled marine beauty and abundance of resources. More than 30 million Filipinos obtain their livelihoods from the benefits provided by the nation’s proximity to the Coral Triangle. Recognized as the global center of marine biodiversity, this region hosts 464 types of coral reefs and over 10 thousand aquatic species, or a fifth of all recorded species.

Coral reefs have a huge role in maintaining such a diverse marine ecosystem. A quarter of all marine life are associated with corals and its ability to create immense reef structures, providing them with shelter and nursing grounds. They also play a role in nutrient cycling and protecting coastlines from the impacts of strong waves, erosion, and tropical cyclones. Coral reefs even help mitigate carbon dioxide levels in the ocean by using it to create their shells.

The aesthetical value and ecological benefits of coral reefs also make them one of the highlights of ecotourism in the country. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a marine protected area along southwestern Philippines, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its atoll reef housing a high density of marine species. Coral reefs are one of the main attractions in popular diving spots off the coast of Palawan, Batangas, and Mindoro.

Economic and environmental impacts

Even though oceans take longer to warm than land surfaces, higher temperatures and their impacts of marine biodiversity may have far larger consequences on human societies. As of February 2017, oceans have warmed by 0.69 degree Celsius since 1880, which is the second highest on record. Warmer oceans would be especially devastating for coral reefs and, subsequently entire marine ecosystems on multiple fronts.

Firstly, increased ocean temperatures deprives coral reefs of their food and energy source. This triggers coral bleaching, which severely weakens their structure. Secondly, a third of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities since 1800 have been absorbed by the oceans, leading to ocean acidification. This phenomenon removes the coral’s ability to absorb calcium carbonate, a key component of their skeletons without which they will dissolve.

The combination of higher temperatures and other anthropogenic stresses has severely affected the aquatic life near Philippine waters, especially coral reefs. Current estimates reveal that sea temperatures within the Coral Triangle are increasing at 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade. This has led to a massive loss of coral reefs in Southeast Asia, with 40 percent of reefs permanently lost and 45 percent under critical threat.

This has largely contributed to a decline in the production of various marine resources. The Philippines’s municipal and commercial fisheries production experienced a 6.5 percent decline in 2016, while seaweed production dropped by 10.3 percent. Aside from warmer and more acidic oceans, other climate-related factors such as stronger typhoons and the El Niño phenomenon caused such a decline. Their impacts were compounded by other factors such as lack of planting materials, occurrence of diseases, and destructive fishing practices.

The future of coral reefs

As these impacts all occurred in a world warmer by nearly 1 degree Celsius, a further temperature increase might lead to an irreversible total loss of coral reefs. However, limiting the increase to 1.5 degrees may be a more tolerable option for preserving marine life. European researchers report that in such a scenario, 90 percent of tropical coral reefs would be in critical condition by 2050. This is less severe than in a 2-degree case where virtually all coral reefs are either extinct or critically endangered.

This finding is supported by the European Geosciences Union, which argued that the biodiversity of tropical marine ecosystems makes them more resilient to environmental changes. As a result, a 1.5-degree spike would provide tropical coral reefs more time to adapt to warmer environments and possibly reverse a portion of their die-off by 2100. In contrast, a 2-degree increase eliminates any chance of recovery, placing tropical corals to the path of virtual extinction by the end of the century.

On a global context, studies also project that protecting at least half of the world’s coral reefs requires a global temperature increase of up to 1.2 degrees Celsius. While a third of the coral reefs would still be subjected to long-term degradation, enforcing such a strict target would allow for their smoother adaptation to a rapidly-changing environment. This allows the survival and eventual recovery of marine ecosystems and the sustainability of relevant economic activities in nations such as the Philippines.

With these potential impacts in mind, the Philippines needs to improve its protection and conservation of coral reefs and entire marine ecosystems. While the country has established 1620 marine protected areas (MPAs) as of 2011, most of them are small and not effectively managed. With a declining aquacultural production, continuing overexploitation of resources, and worsening impacts of climate change, actions such as improving existing policies, increasing capacity of local government units and other sectors on proper conservation, and creating alternative livelihoods will help ensure the survival of coral reefs for decades.

The loss of coral reefs represents more than just a loss of invaluable biodiversity and economic development. It also indicates the loss of an integral component of Philippine identity and culture. In a world that will exceed a 1.5-degree increase without proper mitigation and adaptation measures in place, we are risking the loss of one of the foundations of our national well-being from which we may never recover.

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