Coral Reefs

Coral reefs around the world are being harmed by combinations of local and global effects on the seas and oceans. Local effects including overfishing, coastal development, fertiliser run-off and tourism. Combined with the global effects of climate change and ocean acidification it is causing devastation of the worlds coral reefs which are major habitats for sealife.
The changes caused by these factors are damaging the delicate ecosystems of the coral reefs and causing the corals to die. With a complete loss of coral reefs, scientists fear it will cause a loss of a third of marine biodiversity.
The problem is being worked on by groups attempting to grow new coral reefs with some degree of success. However coral takes a longtime to grow and unless the threats are addressed and managed a world wide loss of coral reefs could occur.

Guardian [online] Available at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/02/coral-catastrophic-future

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/10/ocean-acidification-epoca

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/22/network-coral-reef-protection

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/01/1

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/25/water-ocean-acidity-shellfish


[14.12.09]




Other wildlife crime topics covered in my degree:

Species at Risk: Bats

The Illegal Wildlife Trade

Bees

Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPS)

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA81)

Twelve Fish Protected Under WCA81

Breeding and/or Catching Animals for fur: Debate

Traditional Alternative Medicines (TAMs)

Seals

Environmental Ethics and Ecopsychology

The Climate Change Conference 2009

Biological Diversity

Conservation Strategies

Conventions, Legislation and Contributing Bodies

Example Papers of Forensic Analysis used in Wildlife Crimes

Researching Wildlife Crime - My Research Idea

Climate Change Affecting Wildlife

Coral Reefs