Environmental Stresses in Mangrove Swamps and Coral Reefs
The environmental stresses faced by various marine ecosystems can vary widely. While environmental conditions in one ecosystem can be beneficial, the same conditions elsewhere can cause the collapse of the ecosystem. Like most of the Earth's natural processes, subtle changes can have dramatic effects on success. For example, sea surface temperature changes can destroy coral reefs that have developed over thousands of years. Likewise, sea level variation can potentially mean the collapse of mangrove swamps in tropical coastal regions. The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast some of the environmental stresses faced by two marine ecosystems: the aforementioned coral reefs and the mangrove swamps. This examination will show that despite differences in types of ecosystem stressors, both share common anthropogenic stresses. Coral evolved around 500 million years ago. Coral is composed of tiny plant-like animals that require clean water and sunlight in order to survive (Forsman, 2005). Coral reefs are produced through the reproduction of the coral animal. As the creatures give birth and die to make way for new generations, there is a progressive buildup of limestone deposits, left behind by the life process of co
ral. Over vast stretches of time, these deposits turn into the grand coral reefs that can stretch for thousands of miles (Scheffel, 1984). Globally there exists about 300 thousand square miles of coral reef. This is the equivalent of 1% of the total ocean floor; however, coral reefs are home to more than 25% of all marine life (Forsman, 2005). If the great expanses of the ocean are desert-like in this regard, coral reefs are the ocean's equivalent of tropical rain forests. The high biological production and diversity comes at specific environmental requirements. Coral reefs require water temperatures around 20 degrees C, year round (Ricklefs, 2000). Colder or warmer temperatures can kill off many species of coral. The result is that coral is limited to shallow areas where sunlight can adequately penetrate, largely in subtropical waters. Like the coral reef ecosystem, mangrove swamps require a delicate balance of environmental conditions. They grow only in narrow bands between the land and the ocean between latitudes 25 degrees N and 30 degrees S (Valiela, Bowen and York, 2001). Mangrove swamps provide favored nesting sites for a variety of birds, including herons and pelicans. In addition, mangrove swamps can sometimes help extend coastlines, resisting the erosive effects of the ocean. Mangrove swamps can actually help create more land (West, 1956; Scheffel, 1984). Despite the adaptations that have made mangrove swamps very resilient in terms of tidal action, waterlogged sediment, and high saline content, there are still significant other environmental stressors that make the future of these swamps uncertain. Destruction of mangrove swamps is occurring globally at an even faster pace than the more publicized coral reefs. In the last twenty years, 35% of mangrove swamps disappeared. The destru
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Approximate Word count = 1230
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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