Almost 94% of the world's coral reefs will die within 30 years. This will happen if global emissions
Coral reefs today face seriousthreats. Scientists have found that approximately 75% of the world's coral reefs are currently under threat of local and global destruction. Local factors include destructive fishing, which is especially widespread in Southeast Asia. Global threats from climate change and ocean chemistry (such as ocean acidification) are exacerbating pressures on reefs. Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to rise, which in turn is leading to widespread coral bleaching.
The data used by scientists in their work wasderived from a study of 233 reefs in 183 reef systems around the world. The researchers note that 49% of them were in the Atlantic Ocean, 39% in the Indian Ocean and another 11% in the Pacific Ocean. Their projections, taking into account low, medium and high emissions, showed that even a significant reduction in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere would not allow reefs to quickly recover and continue to grow.
Even if the impact of greenhouse gaseswill be low in the coming years, reefs will not grow at the same rate. Moreover, if emissions increase, 94% of reefs will be destroyed by 2050, scientists emphasize.
In their opinion, scientists have very little time left for mankind to save reef systems by reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases.
The bottom of the world's oceans is almost completely coveredstunningly beautiful coral reefs. The calcareous structures of corals surpass in mass, size, height and stability anything ever created by a living being, including us. They changed the geology of our earth - fossilized reefs store oil and gas. The coral reef ecosystem is one of the largest and most important living structures. Their life is closely connected with hundreds of species of organisms, and their importance for the geosphere is undeniable. This is an amazing feat for animals that don't even have a brain.
In addition, they directly and indirectly “feed” hundredsmillions of people. Medicines derived from coral reefs are already saving the lives of millions of patients, and fluorescent proteins have revolutionized cell research.
By the way, wave-resistant reef ridges protect the shores from the destructive effects of sea waves and prevent soil erosion.
Coral communities represent the mosttypical and most significant in terms of total biomass and productivity type of marine tropical benthic biocenoses. Reefs are the richest habitat on Earth, which is not inferior to tropical forests in terms of productivity.
Coral reefs that grew somewhatcenturies, are destroyed by land trawl nets in a few minutes. Unfortunately, to date, 30% of all reefs have already been lost - they have no enemies except people. Most of them died from overfishing, physical destruction from sediment and pollution.
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