AUSTIN (KXAN) – Masks are off, flights are booked and for many a much-needed vacation is just around the corner. As pandemic-weary Americans flock to tropical destinations around the world, the next potential disaster is just around the corner – the extinction of underwater corals.
“This will be a major catastrophe for the global economy,” says coral researcher Dr. Misha Matz from the University of Texas. “Many economies (that rely on coral) will collapse. Like Hawaii. “
It’s a pretty dire prospect. What exactly is happening and why is it so bad for you? Let’s dive in.
What exactly are underwater corals?
Matz describes corals as a type of sea anemone, those hazy underwater creatures that look almost like plants. Each coral is made up of tiny sea anemone-like cells that are clones of each other.
“They form a sheet of sea anemones, a carpet of sea anemones,” says Dr. Matz. “Now imagine if this carpet can secrete limestone underneath and grow up. Sometimes they grow into bizarre shapes. This is coral. “
On the outside of the coral is a symbiotic alga that lives on the coral. The corals feed on these algae. In addition to the algae, thousands of different types of underwater creatures live under corals. It is an essential part of the ocean ecosystem.
Why do corals die?
Our actions and climate change are eliminating this species in a number of important ways. First, these algae leave the corals, stressed by the turbulent weather. This process, called bleaching, makes entire reefs bone white.
“The coral remains without a source of food,” says Matz. “The coral will die. Sometimes there are outbreaks on the scale of entire reefs. “
Second, the weather is worsening due to climate change.
“Storms destroy reefs very easily, they can level the whole island,” said Matz.
Third, the chemical imbalance in the ocean is causing disease to become rampant. Matz says reefs in parts of the Caribbean have lost the ability to reproduce due to disease. These reefs have been dying off since the mid-1970s.
After all, according to Matz, corals can only survive near the surface of the sea, within 10 meters above sea level.
“If the corals can’t cope with rising sea levels, they’ll simply sink,” says Matz. “This should be terrifying, especially for the islanders of the Pacific. Most of the islands in the Pacific are ancient volcanoes held up by coral reefs. If the coral sinks, the islands follow into the water depth.
Is there hope for underwater corals?
The short answer is yes. Corals can recover from bleaching, and some species of coral are showing signs that they can adapt to extreme weather through some sort of hybridization.
By taking steps to slow down or stop climate change, we could save corals. Doctor Matz estimates that we have about 50 years to do this.
“We still have time. It’s not, ‘OK, it’s gone. Coral reefs are dead.’ No. No. We have just enough time to do something, “said Matz.
