Problems Arising in the Caribbean Coral Reefs
Many Caribbean coral reefs have either stopped growing or are starting to erode due to lack of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate, such as aragonite, is an essential mineral for maintaining structures of healthy corals. According to regional modeling of tropical oceans, the largest increase in ocean acidification is found in the Caribbean. Calcification rates are estimated to have dropped by about fifteen percent over the past century. The reef ecosystem is in decline and the amount of live corals on reefs are diminishing. Recent ecological declines are disrupting the growth of reefs in certain regions. What is concerning is that many coral reefs across the Caribbean have evidently lost their ability to produce enough carbonate to continue growing vertically.
Staghorn Coral Reef
Corals suffer various threats such as pollution, global warming, and of course, ocean acidification. They are continuing to decline over the past century.
Corals suffer various threats such as pollution, global warming, and of course, ocean acidification. They are continuing to decline over the past century.
Elkhorn Coral Reef
Elkhorn and staghorn corals used to be dominant reef-building corals in the Caribbean. Today, they are at risk of extinction. Also, fish play a role in providing suitable habitat for corals by grazing on algae around the reefs, however are being overfished.
Elkhorn and staghorn corals used to be dominant reef-building corals in the Caribbean. Today, they are at risk of extinction. Also, fish play a role in providing suitable habitat for corals by grazing on algae around the reefs, however are being overfished.