Human greed pose threats to coral reefs

Human greed pose threats to coral reefs

Bambang Parlupi, Contributor, Jakarta

A survey conducted by LIPI-COREMAP (Indonesian Institute of Sciences -- Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program) shows that the world's coral reefs are in an alarming state.

In this country, coral reefs are found in 281 places, totaling around 85,707 square kilometers in area.

Although around 600 species are found in Indonesia's coral reefs, which account for 15 percent of the world's total, the damage being infliced on these reefs has been going from bad to worse. To date, only about 6.2 percent of Indonesia's coral reefs are in their natural state.

A COREMAP researcher, Fidel Apriadi Bustami, attributed the damage to coral reefs to several factors. Greed, for example, has led to irresponsible exploitation of the reefs. "In a number of places, many coral reefs have been destroyed because of the use of explosives and toxic chemicals for fishing," he said.

The damage to coral reefs, he went on, may also be attributable to chemical pollution and sedimentation caused by the dumping of industrial waste into the rivers or the sea. Sand mining, coral collection and environmentally ruinous development of the coastal areas contribute to the coral reef damage. "As for the natural causes, they may be volcanic eruptions or tsunami waves."

In the final analysis, it is man that has become the main cause for coral reef damage and destruction, said Bustami, a graduate of the School of Biology of National University, Jakarta.

People exploit coral reefs excessively and uncontrollably without heeding the principles of natural conservation. He cited as his examples rock collection for the foundation of buildings and the construction of roads. Rock has also been massively collected for souvenirs and decorational purposes.

The hobby of collecting rock and marine souvenirs -- for example popular hobby of keeping various kinds of rock and marine aquarium fish -- will also damage coral reefs. Besides, the toxic potassium cyanide and the explosives that many fishermen frequently use in fishing have led to the slow death of the reefs. Another practice that will also lead to immediate destruction of the underwater lives is forcible removal of rock.

Collecting souvenir shells and bits of coral will also eventually damage the ecosystem of coral reefs. Many species of mollusks are openly traded. It should be noted that these shells come from mollusk species living among the coral reefs.

On the beach, people usually collect the outer shells of various mollusks. In fact, these shells are still useful for the environment. Hermit crabs, for example, usually look for empty shells for their homes. It should also be borne in mind that broken rock or broken outer shells of mollusks will eventually turn into white sand.

Coral reef damage and the loss of any of the creatures living in the reef will damage the established ecosystem. This means that the food chain is severed and may never properly recover resulting in the loss of species at top end of the chain.

Several species of mollusks such as the giant clams are actually responsible for the formation of coral reefs. In the case of the giant clams, their large outer shells will be the right place for other marine fauna like worms, algae, soft coral or minute mollusks. These clams live among coral reefs. If the coral reefs are removed, this colony of marine creatures will be damaged and finally die.

If coral reefs are damaged, fish, sea slugs, crabs, turtles and other organisms and sea creatures will lose their homes. They will have nowhere to find their food and to multiply. For human beings, this situation means the loss of highly useful natural resources for future generations.

It has now been proved that aside from being the homes for many species of marine fauna, coral reefs are also useful for human beings in several other respects. Research conducted in Japan some time ago by marine scientists at the School of Animal Husbandry of Diponegoro University, for example, has shown, that the gorgonian coral can be used as an effective cure for intestinal cancer. Lobster and seaweed collected from around a coral reef that is still in good condition may be a good source of income for fishermen.

Uniquely, coral reefs, which are found only in the tropical areas, are living "fossils" formed over millions of years.

They can multiply only in waters with the salt content ranging between 27 percent and 40 percent. A coral colony prefers warm water and needs sunshine for its survival. That is why coral colonies are usually found at a depth of not more than 40 meters.

In an educational guide for marine conservation published by World Wide Fund for Nature, it is said that coral reefs are made up of living creatures called polyps. They are minute creatures categorized as animals although they look like plants. Scientifically, they belong to the class of anthozoa, flower- shaped animals. Polyps produce calcium for their outer frames. These outer frames pile up to form coral reefs.

It is also unique that inside a living coral polyp there is a single-celled creature called algae (zooxanthellae). Algae produces food and oxygen for the polyp and provides a home and carbon dioxide for the polyp. The presence of algae on the coral reefs lends beauty to the underwater world. The pigments from algae explain why coral reefs are often brilliantly colored.

This beautiful biological diversity should be conserved. Let it live and be part of this nature. Let us all save coral reefs right now!

Tips to Save Coral Reefs: * Refrain from dumping waste into or contaminating rivers, beaches or the sea. * Regularly clean up beaches. * Refrain from damaging, stepping on or collecting coral while doing an activity in the sea. * Refrain from purchasing or using coral rock or marine aquarium fish for your aquarium. * Refrain from using coral for building materials. * Report to the authorities or the mass media any activity that damages coral reefs such as illegal fishing and beach contamination. * Support and join groups concerned with environmental conservation. * Pass on your knowledge about coral reefs to anybody at home and at school such as your family members or your school friends.

(The writer is a member of Ally of World Wide Fund for Nature Indonesia and also coordinator for environmental education program of Love for Environment Action Group (KANCIL-Indonesia)