Reef Out of Balance - Human Impacts Click to view video “Predators Among Us” Click to view video “Oceans Face Mass Extinction” Click to view video “Oceana Problems and Solutions”

What factors cause our reefs to be out of balance? Which of these factors are connected to humans activities? All of them! The two factors that we will focus on are: Overfishing Pollution from runoff Which of these factors are connected to humans activities? All of them! The two factors that we will focus on are: Overfishing Pollution from runoff

What is overfishing? Overfishing is when a body of water has been fished and depleted of its organisms, so much so that the ecosystem is thrown off balance. Article - Can Hawaii Save Their Reefs from Aquarium Collecting? Overfishing - Hawaii Star Advertiser Article Video - Overfishing in Our Oceans

How do we know if our reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands have been overfished? We can compare our reefs to the older reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). These reefs are in places with very few humans. They provide a “window” to our past. We can compare our reefs to the older reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). These reefs are in places with very few humans. They provide a “window” to our past.

What can we conclude from these circle graphs of Hawaiian reefs? Main Hawaiian Islands Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Source: Maragos & Gulko, 2000

 The size of the circles represents biomass - the total estimated weight of organisms in a defined area. Biomass is much higher in NWHI.  The percentage of apex predators is much higher in the NWHI.  Why do you think there are these differences?  The size of the circles represents biomass - the total estimated weight of organisms in a defined area. Biomass is much higher in NWHI.  The percentage of apex predators is much higher in the NWHI.  Why do you think there are these differences? Conclusions  There are no longer enough fish in the main islands to support so many large apex predators.  There is less human impact (runoff, pollution, etc) in the NWHI. Source: Navigating Change Teacher’s Guide

How does overfishing affect the balance of the reef? When any particular species is removed from the ocean, the entire ecosystem shifts to rebalance its self. Overfishing changes relationships between predator/prey, and between competing organisms, which impacts the entire food web. Sometimes the changes are so great that the ecosystem has a difficult time recovering. When any particular species is removed from the ocean, the entire ecosystem shifts to rebalance its self. Overfishing changes relationships between predator/prey, and between competing organisms, which impacts the entire food web. Sometimes the changes are so great that the ecosystem has a difficult time recovering. Play the Sustainable Fish Stew Game

What is pollution from runoff? Pollution from runoff (nonpoint source pollution) is when rain or irrigation water, which is not absorbed by land, drains into the ocean carrying pollutants with it. These pollutants can be organic or inorganic. Pollution from runoff (nonpoint source pollution) is when rain or irrigation water, which is not absorbed by land, drains into the ocean carrying pollutants with it. These pollutants can be organic or inorganic. Which of these pollutants are organic and which are inorganic? Click for answer Trash Sediment Chemicals Bacteria Feces/fertilizers Yard waste Oil OrganicInorganic

Explore Pollutants from Runoff Article - Land-based Pollution Pictures of Marine Debris Click to view video “Plastic is Forever” Hawaii Department of Health -Article Click to play Kure Waste Chase Click to explore this interactive site - CoSEECoastalTrends

How does pollution from runoff impact the balance of the reef? Chemicals Sediment Oil Trash Bacteria Yard waste Feces/fertilizers Chemicals Sediment Oil Trash Bacteria Yard waste Feces/fertilizers  Covers the corals so they cannot get sunlight  Poison the waters harming life in the reef  Causes marine animals to become entangled or to digest items mistaken for food  Causes algae to grow too quickly, which lowers the dissolved oxygen levels  Covers the corals so they cannot get sunlight  Poison the waters harming life in the reef  Causes marine animals to become entangled or to digest items mistaken for food  Causes algae to grow too quickly, which lowers the dissolved oxygen levels Match the pollutant to its impact…

What can we do to help? Hawaii Storm Drain Project The Nature Conservancy Eco-Etiquette Hawaii’s Coral Reef Network There are many ways that one can help Hawaii’s coral reefs. Do a beach clean up - keep the ocean life from harm Plant a tree - help hold the sediment on land Swim/ snorkel with care - stepping on coral can kill them Use organic - less inorganic waste means less pollution Conserve water - less water means less runoff Speak up - share your knowledge or advocate for change Click here for more opportunities to help!here

Culminating Task 2 -Presentation CULMINATING TASK 2: Develop a presentation that informs the public about what we can do to bring our reefs back into balance. Select a method for sharing your project: Brochure, PowerPoint, Video, etc. Click on the documents below for details: –Project DescriptionProject Description –Project ChecklistProject Checklist –Opportunities to HelpOpportunities to Help CULMINATING TASK 2: Develop a presentation that informs the public about what we can do to bring our reefs back into balance. Select a method for sharing your project: Brochure, PowerPoint, Video, etc. Click on the documents below for details: –Project DescriptionProject Description –Project ChecklistProject Checklist –Opportunities to HelpOpportunities to Help