Environmental Factors and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Susan Scobie Biology 12

Contents Threat #1 – Farming and Mining Practices: The BP Oil Spill Threat #2 – Fishing Protective Measure – References

Farming and Mining Practices: BP Oil Spill The 2010 British Petroleum oil spill released about 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico The oil spill has greatly affected the biodiversity of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef – it is estimated that over 8,300 species from this area were affected by the spill. Over 6,800 dead organisms have been collected, many of which being newborns or belonging to a species that is already endangered.

Farming and Mining Practices: BP Oil Spill Due to the spill, many species have had to alter their way of life – including their ecological niche and source of food. It is expected that the reef itself will be affected even more by the spill in future years, as decomposing microbes that consume and break down the oil greatly diminish the oxygen concentration that is vital to all organisms in the reef. The makeup of the oil that was released contains higher methane concentrations than usual, which can suffocate marine life and eventually create dead zones along the reef.

Fishing Harmful methods of fishing in reefs include injecting cyanide into reefs and using dynamite to stun fish. Because coral reefs are so sensitive, these methods obviously have a significant negative effect on the abiotic and biotic factors that make up the reef.

Fishing Overfishing is another threat to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, as it messes with the delicate food webs and ecological balance that must be maintained in order for the reef to survive. For example, when the population of a species of fish decreases due to fishing, the population that feeds on these fish will be out of a food source. Because of this, they will begin to feed on a new species, and the natural predator for this species will have to find a new food source as well. Also, overfishing of first degree consumers in a community can lead to excessive algal growth, which diminishes the oxygen concentration in that area, which is a harmful effect.

Protective Measure: Protected Areas The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) is working with several Non-Government Organizations in Central America and around the world to establish protected areas along the Mesoamerican reef. So far, there are eleven Marine Protected Areas (MPOs) along the reef. Within these areas, – Excessive fishing is banned; “no-take zones” are established – Critical habitat is maintained and protected – Depleted wildlife populations are restored – Species are conserved – Spawning fish are carefully protected

References Kinver, M. (2011). BP Oil Spill: The Environmental impact One Year On. Retrieved from: environmental-impact-one.html environmental-impact-one.html (No Author). (2011). Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Retrieved from: (No Author). (2010). Marine Protected Areas – Mesoamerican Reef. Retrieved from: canreef/ canreef/ Martinez, A. (2007). Mesoamerican Reef. Retrieved from: