MODULE 4 PART 2
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University of Florida *
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2200L
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Geography
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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3
Uploaded by CommodoreDanger181
Module 4, Part 2: Trouble in Paradise: Factors That Impact Coral Health
Instructions In this module, you will read the information, watch the brief videos either embedded or given as links, and briefly answer the 'Stop and Think' Questions to turn in for grading. The questions are compiled here for Part 2 of the Corals Module. Please answer all questions.
Name: Paige Minkin Questions 1:
Describe your initial impression of the status of coral reefs in 2011 in the area of the globe you examined. Are the overall threat levels higher or lower than you expected? Upon reviewing the state of coral reefs in the Atlantic in 2011, my initial impression is that the overall threat levels are lower than expected. The majority of coral reefs, particularly those central to around Florida, including the Keys, appear to be situated in the teal zone, with some instances of orange and red indicating moderate threats. 2:
Predict which human activity you think is the largest contributor to coral reef threats. Explain your choice. The largest contributor to coral reef threats is often human activities related to climate change, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases. Elevated carbon dioxide levels from burning fossil fuels contribute to global warming, leading to coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and more frequent and severe weather events, all of which pose significant threats to coral reef ecosystems. 3
: Describe how the 2050 threats map differs from the 2011 threats map. What do you think this means for the outlook of coral reefs globally? Explain. The increase in red areas on the 2050 threats map compared to the 2011 threats map suggests a heightened risk for coral reefs globally by 2050. The intensification of threats, likely driven by factors such as climate change, pollution, and human activities, indicates a worsening outlook for coral reef ecosystems. This shift in threat levels underscores the urgency of implementing conservation measures and sustainable practices to mitigate the escalating risks and protect the health and resilience of coral reefs worldwide. 4
: How do the threats posed by watersheds, coastal development, exploitive fishing, and physical damage compare to one another? Which factor appears to have the largest impact on coral reef health? Explain. Coastal development, including pollution and destructive fishing practices, poses more immediate and direct threats to coral reef health compared to watersheds and exploitive fishing. The cumulative impact of coastal activities and physical damage has a significant negative effect on coral reefs. 5
: Can you think of any other activities or phenomena that might be harmful to coral reefs? Explain. Other harmful activities for coral reefs include coral mining, the introduction of invasive species, unsustainable tourism practices, and climate change-induced events like hurricanes and sea-level rise, all of which can lead to physical damage, pollution, and stress on coral ecosystems. 6
: There are many ways to categorize the different local threats to corals. Now that you know more about the local threats, are there any that you would categorize differently?
How might you categorize the local threats if you were explaining the threats to someone? When explaining local threats to corals, I would categorize them into direct physical threats (like destructive fishing and coral mining) and indirect threats related to pollution, climate change, and invasive species. This distinction helps highlight immediate impacts versus long-term systemic threats to coral reef ecosystems.
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