A new study suggests that though Coral Reefs are declining rapidly, but they can still be saved from collapsing completely if local and global authorities take proper action, ABC Science Online reports.
Studies have shown that coral reefs' conditions are rapidly declining and some of its species are at the edge of extinction. However, a new research shows that they can still be saved if local and global authorities take proper action.
"People benefit by reefs' having a complex structure -- a little like a Manhattan skyline, but underwater," said Peter Mumby of the University of Queensland and University of Exeter. "Structurally complex reefs provide nooks and crannies for thousands of species and provide the habitat needed to sustain productive reef fisheries. They're also great fun to visit as a snorkeler or diver. If we carry on the way we have been, the ability of reefs to provide benefits to people will seriously decline."
For the study, researchers spent almost two years making a computer model that replicated how the reefs function, according to information provided by previous studies done in the last 40 years. They combined this model with some of their climate models to make predictions about the balance between forces that will allow reefs to continue growing and those that can cause them to collapse.
"Business as usual isn't going to cut it," he said. "The good news is that it does seem possible to maintain reefs -- we just have to be serious about doing something. It also means that local reef management -- efforts to curb pollution and overfishing -- are absolutely justified. Some have claimed that the climate change problem is so great that local management is futile. We show that this viewpoint is wrongheaded."
Mumby stressed on the importance of providing habitat for fish, natural breakwater to reduce the size of waves reaching the shore and other conditions favorable for the survival of the reef species.
"If it becomes increasingly difficult for people in the tropics to make their living on coral reefs, then this may well increase poverty," said the study's first author, Emma Kennedy. It's in everyone's best interest to keep that from happening.
The report of a study published is by the Cell Press journal Current Biology.
