Climate Change
Climate change is one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems as it is leading to mass coral bleaching events globally
- Increase in ocean temperatures and acidity levels
- Rapid rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations
- In the Red Sea, SST rose on average by 0.62 °C and by more than 1 °C in some parts
- Reefs around the world recently experienced significant coral bleaching during three consecutive years (2014–2017)
- Risk of heat stress and mass coral bleaching
- Australia's Great Barrier Reef has experienced three coral bleaching events in the last 5 years
- By the year 2050, more than 25% of marin species will be threatened with extinction
Rising Sea Levels
The global sea level rises by 2-3 mm every year. Sea level is expected to rise by 0.26 to 0.98 meters (m) by 2100
- Mangroves and turtle nesting beaches will be highly impacted by rising sea-level
- Increases sedimentation for reefs located near land-based sources of sediment
- 16 reef areas in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean and 6 in the Indian Ocean are in danger
- More than 45 percent of reefs in the Solomon Islands are at risk
- Only 10% of global reefs are capable of keeping up with the rates of sea-level rise
- Carbon dioxide emissions are making the ocean more acidic, making it harder for shellfish, corals, and types of plankton to survive
- Key deer, loggerhead sea turtle, Delmarva peninsula fox squirrel, western snowy plover among the top most at-risk species
Pollution
Increasing pollution is finding its way into coastal waters. Bottles, diapers, cotton swabs, food wrappers and other waste are often found in waters. Oil spills are another major area of concern
- Disrupts ecological functions and normal behaviors.
- Causes diseases and prevents coral growth
- Sediment deposited onto reefs effects reef's ability to feed, grow, and reproduce
- Oil pollution from oil terminals and pipeline bursts is causing harm the reefs in The Red Sea area
- Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air and water can lead to rapid growth of algae
- Harmful algal blooms in Australian coasts,blooms of the dinoflagellates Scrippsiella trochoidea, Cochlodinium cf. helix, Gymnodinium cf. galatheanum, Gymnodinium mikimotoi and the golden-brown flagellate Prymnesium parvum