1. How Do Humans Affect the Coastal Environment of Barbados?

2. A coral reef is a living structure compound by colonies of marine anemone like animals called polyps, which have a symbiotic relationship with a unicellular algae called Zooxanthellaethat lives in their tissue Polyps build skeletons of limestone around their bodies. Photosynthesis carried out by the Zooxanthellae helps to build their skeleton, and generates food to the coral. To Live Polyps needs: Light (Photosynthesis) Tº18º-30º (Not deep water corals) salinity (close to 35 PPT) clear water (Light penetration) wave action (waste elimination and food transport).

3. Barbados is mostly surrounded by a narrow 200 m deep of reef, approximately 2 -3 km offshore. There are 3 types of coral reef around Barbados: Bank Reefs, Fringing Reefs Patch Reefs The total area covered by the bank reefs is over 38.3km, while the fringing reefs cover over 20.4 km.

4. Coral reefs are a very important economical and ecological asset for Barbados in terms of….

11. Coral reef affected by pollution, sedimentation and eutrophication Healthy coral reef

12. All targeted reef fish species have been over-fished, particularly parrotfishes (algal grazers) Marine based pollution threatens 15 percent of the reefs.

13. Reduces light penetration in the water that corals need for photosynthesis. Increases acidity of the water reduces coral skeleton formation creating conditions for more bio erosion (coral reef framework breaks down). Smothered corals try to get rid of sediment particles using their tentacles. It can not breath and feed, get sick and eventually dies. Toxic chemicals accumulate in coral tissue, stressing it, poisoning it, overwhelming its immune system resulting in diseases, low reproduction rate and high mortality.

14. Destruction of mangroves, sea grass beds and other coastal habitats for "Development", destroys the natural protection for corals against pollution. Throwing anchor at the reef ban destroy extensive reef areas.

15. Too hot water results in coral bleaching. This decreases the ability of the coral to feed and build the skeleton. Bigger hurricanes causes major destruction on the reefs. More CO2 on the water creates more acidity. In a coral reef that is already weak because of all the above explained, this will be the fatal blow. Where then is the near shore fisheries going? Who is going to protect and create the beaches? Where will locals and tourists go to relax in the future? Where will go the economy of this country? Is not better to preserve the beautiful reefs that give us so much benefits FREE, rather than have to construct an expensive, much less useful and non beautiful at all seawall?