The Coral Triangle
1. Examine the spatial distribution of the Coral Triangle (a map would be relevant way to show spatial distribution)
The Coral Triangle is a triangular-shaped marine area located in the western Pacific Ocean, between Asia and Australia. The area includes the waters of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Soloman Islands and Timor Leste. The total area of the Coral Triangle is 6.8 million km2, with 5.4 million km2 of ocean and 1.4 million km2 of land. The marine area is composed of coastal environments such as seagrass beds, mangrove forests and coral reefs. There is 73 000 km2 of coral reef in the area.
There are specific requirements that are needed for coral growth to occur. The location of the Coral Triangle as well as other factors, have led to large diversity of the animals in the coral reef and other coastal environments of the area. The abundance of islands that are found in the area is ideal for coral growth, as the water is shallow which allows light to reach the zooxanthellae that lives in the coral. The warm, salty water (20-28 degrees) that is found between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn makes coral growth in the Coral Triangle possible. The conditions are also consistent between the Tropics with not much variability in the amount of sunlight or weather conditions, which ensures the health of the reef. The water is also relatively unpolluted with nutrients such as phosphate and nitrogen, as the coral reefs are not located near a river mouth. The distribution and biodiversity of the marine fauna in the Coral Triangle is influenced by the large currents that flow from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean (Indonesian Flow-through), as the Coral Triangle is located near the edges of the western Pacific Ocean and the eastern Indian Ocean. The wave action oxygenates the coral, which is needed for healthy reefs.
2. Explain the functioning of the biophysical processes operating in the Coral Triangle (i.e. how does the coral ecosystem function/work)
In the Coral Triangle, there are many bio-physical processes that occur. These processes occur between the physical environment and the organisms that live in it, and keep the ecosystems in the Coral Triangle alive and healthy.
Algae in the coral polyp called Zooxanthellae give coral energy through photosynthesis, because of sunlight that filters through the shallow waters of the reef. The Zooxanthellae in the polyps give the coral their vibrant colours. In coral reefs, calcium carbonate (the skeleton of coral polyps) is left behind as they grow.
Physical and biological erosion occurs in the coral reefs of the triangle, which balances the process of calcification; erosion removes the calcium carbonate that is laid down by corals and other reef calcifiers. Waves destroy some of the coral and reef infrastructure, while organisms such as fish grind away at the coral.
Carbonic acid that is formed from carbon dioxide dissolving into the ocean water, weathers down the calcium carbonate in the limestone. Limestone is the foundation of the reefs.
In the Coral Triangle, there are many seagrass beds and mangrove trees that influence the environment. Along the coasts of the islands are salt-tolerant mangrove trees that stabilise the shoreline, filter pollutants and produce nutrients. Seagrass beds form meadows between these mangrove forests and the coral reefs. They form the foundations of many food webs, filter water, release oxygen and provide nutrients.
Nutrient cycling occurs in the sandy habitats and lagoons that are associated with the coral reefs in the region. Cyanobacteria that is found in these habitats fixes atmospheric nitrogen to create inorganic nitrogen that enters the reef ecosystem.
Storms in the Coral Triangle can deposit sediment onto the reef as well as decrease the salinity of the water that surrounds the reefs because of the extra precipitation.
The currents from the Indonesian Flow-Through aerate the water through waves that crash onto the coral reefs. The waves provide oxygen to the organisms of the reef.
3. Investigate the causes and extent of an environmental change/an issue to the Coral Triangle, such as coral mining, ocean acidification, sedimentation, El Nino and subsequent coral bleaching, anthropogenic climate change, coastal development, water pollution, natural disasters, ballast discharge, careless tourism, algal blooms and viruses. (Choose ONE of the environmental changes/ issues listed and find out what causes this issue and to what extent it is affecting the Coral Triangle)
Since the Industrial period, Climate Change has been enhanced by anthropogenic factors. The increased emissions of greenhouse gases (that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere) from human activities, has amplified the natural greenhouse effect, which is causing the temperature of the atmosphere to rise, and as a result the ocean. The natural greenhouse effect traps heat in the atmosphere through greenhouse gases such as carbon and nitrous oxide. Over the last century, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, have increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The carbon levels have risen from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last 150 years. This occurs as the carbon that is released from the burning of these resources combines with water in the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide. The increase of carbon increases the temperature of the ocean, the acidity and sea level. The clearing of land for agriculture, industry and other activities has also increased the concentrations of other greenhouse gases (eg. methane and nitrous oxide). Deforestation has reduced the ability of trees to perform carbon sequestration (the absorption of carbon).
As a result, of anthropogenic climate change, coral reefs in the triangle have experienced severe mass bleaching events and reduced coral growth due to the sudden increase of the ocean’s temperatures, sea levels and acidity. Climate change will also increase the intensity and frequency of storms that threaten coastal ecosystems. Compared to other issues that impact the Coral Triangle, climate change will affect the reefs more in the future compared to imminent, local threats.
Climate change will affect all areas of the Coral Triangle, to varying degrees. Climate change effects all parts of the ocean, as the absorption of carbon as well as other climate change impacts effect all parts. Climate change impacts in the ocean are caused by changes in the atmosphere, which is a global common.
4. Short term and long term consequences of the environmental change you have chosen to investigate (write about the impact/effects of the change/issue)
The issue of climate change, specifically the impacts of human factors, is effecting all habitats and organisms in the Coral Triangle. The effects of anthropogenic climate change are starting to be seen presently, however, combined with other local issues, most of the impact will be felt more intensely in the future.
At the moment, anthropogenic climate change is…
Climate change is expected to impact the hydrological cycle, which will lead to changes in rainfall, with some increases in the rainfall intensity while some dramatically decreasing, which leads to droughts. As a result, there may be changes in the sediment and river effluent that flows into the coastal habitats, which may kill coral and other organisms. A rise in sea level by up to 1m could affect the coastal ecosystems as the water becomes too deep for plants and animals to grow as they are unable to perform photosynthesis as easily. If the water is too deep organisms are unable to perform photosynthesis as the light cannot reach them as easily. The more frequent and powerful storms, and rising sea levels may change the shape of the islands in the Coral Triangle and erode them, which will cause the reefs to weather down. The rising sea levels may also influence the gender of baby sea turtles, which may result in more females which creates a gender imbalance. Changes to ocean currents and circulation will alter nutrients sources and interfere with food webs in the reef ecosystems. All these threats will lessen the biodiversity of the marine area.
Rising greenhouse gas emissions are increasing the temperature of the atmosphere, and as a result the ocean’s temperature. Sea temperatures in some of the larger parts of the Coral Triangle are increasing by 0.1-0.4 degrees Celsius per decade. An increase of temperature over 2 degrees Celsius will eliminate most of the coral-dominated reef systems. Currently, mass coral bleaching from warming waters is weakening and killing coral, as the coral becomes stressed and loses their zooxanthellae. Mass bleaching events are becoming more common, more intense and widespread across the Coral Triangle. The ocean is becoming more acidic from the increase of carbon dioxide absorption. The acidification of the water threatens organisms that make calcium-carbonate based shells and slows their growth. This includes corals, molluscs and crustaceans.
The impacts of climate change endanger marine animals and organisms, such as coral, reef fish and turtles, which results in a reduction of biodiversity. Future generations may only be able to see dying reef that is threatened by anthropogenic climate change instead of thriving reef.
5. Discuss the factors which influence the management responses within the Coral Triangle (how are they managing this environmental change/issue you have chosen to study?) Edeal
The governments of countries in the Coral Triangle, as well as non-profit organisations, academics and other companies are working to reduce and manage the effects of anthropogenic climate change to maintain sustainable and healthy environments.
Governments around the world are working to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that are released every year. Governments in the Coral Triangle are trying to achieve this through educating and making the local communities aware of how their businesses and actions affect the marine area. Improved methods and more sustainable businesses have been important in maintaining the biodiversity and strength of the ecosystems for future generations. Governments around the world are also encouraging their citizens to invest in more renewable energy sources such as solar energy.
The World Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit organisation that works around the world at managing both local and global issues that threaten diversity and conserve important natural environments. In the Coral Triangle, the World Wildlife Foundation is supporting mangrove restoration. The planting of mangrove trees and shrubs will reduce coastal communities’ vulnerability to climate change, which will ensure that the ecosystem is kept healthy and biodiversity is maintained.
Another example of one of these initiatives is the Coral Triangle Initiative. It is a multinational partnership between the countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Soloman Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Timor Leste, that began May 15, 2009. The initiative focuses on supporting biodiversity conservation maintained by people, sustainable development and managing the consequences of global and local issues, such as climate change and unsustainable fishing practices. In 2010, the “Region-wide Early Action Plan for Climate Change†that was developed and designed to build resistance against climate change. The Early Action Plan was designed to maintain marine and coastal ecosystem structures, as well as build resilience through diversification of species.
The Coral Triangle Initiative, is working to create a network of marine protected areas or MPAs, that allow damaged areas to recover from local issues such as overfishing, so that they have a better chance at responding to climate change impacts. In the Coral Triangle, there are over 1 million hectares of marine protected areas, with 10 million hectares being under improved management. Governments are also creating policies and laws that outline the management of the ecosystems in response to climate change, as well restrictions on certain activities within parts of the triangle. So far there have been 8 specific laws or policies that address climate change.
6. Evaluate the effectiveness of the management response in achieving ecological sustainability (how successful is the management?) Bipi, edeal
The action from the governments and non-profit organisations, as well as the natural resilience of the Coral Triangle, has ensured that the coral reefs and other marine environments haven’t disappeared yet. The Coral Triangle Initiative is trying to reduce and manage the effects of climate change on different areas of the Coral Triangle. The marine protection areas that the initiative manage are mostly effective, however some marine areas are not properly protected which makes them ineffective.
“No-take†areas in marine protected areas have been successful in preserving some biodiversity within the Coral Triangle, as people are unable to do extractive activities which could intensify and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and Climate Change. These MPAs prevent destructive activities such as over-fishing and unsustainable tourism from negatively affecting the already sensitive coral reefs in the Coral Triangle.
However, the management of climate change hasn’t been totally effective as the effects of climate change are still being felt in the Coral Triangle marine environments. According to research, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are still rising despite society’s best efforts to reduce them.
Through the restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems such as the mangroves in Papua New Guinea, the governments and other organisations are effectively making the area more resilient to climate change as well as increasing the ability for these ecosystems to store carbon. Which will lessen the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
7. Propose of how individuals could contribute to achieving environmental sustainability for the Coral Triangle (how can the individual help towards managing the environmental change/issue?)
There are a range of ways individuals can become involved in the efforts of environmental sustainability, and reducing the effects of Climate Change in the Coral Triangle. Individuals around the world can reduce their carbon footprint, doing simple things such as, walking and cycling as an alternative to using cars for transport, reducing the amount of energy used in homes, turning off lights when not in use, and disposing of waste responsibly and recycling products, especially plastic ones.
People around the world can also adopt more a more sustainable use of energy and convert to renewable energy sources such as solar energy, where they can. The reduction in the use of fossil fuels lessens the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, which slows the rate of climate change and the intensity of the enhanced greenhouse effect, which means that the Coral Triangle will be effected slightly less.
The local communities of the Coral Triangle can give non-government organisations, local agencies and governments climate information as well as early warning signs of known climate change impacts which could help improve climate change adaptions through new methods or equipment.
Communities who live in the Coral Triangle and their industries, such as fisheries and tourism, can adopt more sustainable practices and reduce their environmental footprints, so that they are contributing less to anthropogenic climate change. Greenhouse gases can be released through the fuel that is used to power fishing boats or when people cut down trees for resources.