Carribean coral reefs devastated

Scientists claim that more than half of all Caribbean coral reefs have been left devastated as a result of warmer seas and a record hurricane season in 2005.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) yesterday warned that this severe damage to reefs is likely to become a regular occurrence as a result of current predictions of rising global temperatures due to climate change.

The severe storms of 2005, aside from the human cost, resulted in an increased physical strength of waves and enveloped the coast in muddy run-off water from the land. This all damaged the coral.

A heightened sea temperature also caused bleaching resulting in the coral losing the symbiotic algae that they need to survive. This results in the reefs losing their colour meaning they become more susceptible to death from starvation or disease.

The Caribbean contains more than 10% of the world’s reefs. Some of the worst hit areas included the Caymen Islands and the area running from Florida to the French West Indies. Harsh bleaching in August 2005 is said to have killed over half the coral colonies, affecting between 50 and 90% of coral colonies.

The IUCN has reported how other pressures on coral reefs include pollution and over-fishing; reefs near human populations are said to suffer the most damage.

Reefs are an integral part of the local economy. In the Caribbean coral reefs generate in excess of $4bn(£2bn) a year from scuba-diving tourism, fisheries and shoreline protection.

Coral reefs are also significant to the marine ecosystem, supporting 25% of all marine life. Another crucial role of reefs is to act as natural storm-breakers, protecting coastlines.

Carl Gustaf Lundin, head of the IUCN’s Global Marine Programme, spoke of the fact that it is highly likely that temperatures will rise again and how this time more severe impacts are expected. Lundin stated how if something isn’t done about climate change the reefs will not last much longer.

A report stated how direct pressures such as pollution, fishing and coastal development should be managed in order for some live coral to remain in reefs around the world, with the hope that some coral species will be able to adapt to the environment.

The report coincides with the 2008 Year of the Reef, a global campaign to raise awareness across 50 countries. It was produced using data and observations of coral bleaching collected from divers and over 70 coral reef workers.