1. Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs
Coral Ecosystems:
Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs

2. Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs

3. Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs
Land-based pollution impacts
Management actions
Teaching resources

4. Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs
Land-based pollution impacts
Management actions
Teaching resources

5. What is coral?
Plant
Animal
Both?

6. Coral is as an animal with an algal symbiont
Source: NOAA

7. Reef building corals require:
Warm water: 75 – 85 Fahrenheit degrees
Light: Shallow and sediment free waters
Salinity: 34 – 37 ppt
PCS

8. Coral reef distribution
Source:

9. Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs
Known effects of land-based pollution
Management actions
Teaching resources

10. Coral reefs are valuable
Biodiversity
Fisheries
Shoreline protection
Pharmaceuticals
Tourism
Education
Culture
Social values

11. Coral reefs: rainforests of the sea
How many species of fish live on reefs? 40
400
4000
PCS

12. Coral reefs protect the shore-line

13. Reefs are important economically
Hawaii:
Net benefits = $360 million year
Overall asset value MHI = $10 billion
Study by: Cesar & van Beukering 2004

14. Many threats to Coral Reefs
Key threats to US reefs:
Over-fishing
Land-based sources of pollution
Recreational overuse/misuse
Lack of public awareness
Climate change & coral bleaching
Disease

15. Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs
Land-based pollution impacts
Management actions
Teaching resources

16. Land and sea are connected

17. Photo’s courtesy of Malama Maunalua

18. Many sources of land-based pollution.

19. Runoff threatens coral reefs globally
Models estimate that 22% of all coral reefs world-wide are at high or medium threat from inland pollution and soil erosion.
(Bryant et al. 1998).
USGS

20. Runoff impacts growth & survival of hard coral colonies
Bill Walsh DAR

21. Sediments reduce light and decrease coral growth

22. Sediments smother coral & sloughing wastes energy

23. Coral settlement rates are near zero on
sediment covered surfaces
Sediment tolerance is lower in new recruits

24. Runoff effects reef community structure
Honolua Bay, Maui

25. Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs
Land-based pollution impacts
Management actions
Teaching resources

26. Managing land-based pollution
US Coral Reef Task Force formed
Addressing key threats to reefs is a national priority
Development of local action strategies
More information:

27. Taking action to: Reduce pollutant loads
Increase understanding through scientific research & monitoring
Increase awareness

28. Thank you