Can Coral Reefs Make a Comeback by Anna Vallery - Essay Example

The article points out that oceans absorb more carbon dioxide thus making them more acidic which erodes the skeletal structure of the corals. Consequently, these factors have led to the loss of 27% of the coral reefs, and an estimated 60% could be lost in 30 years.

Accordingly, the article points out that when these corals are exposed to acidity conditions or pollution, zooxanthellae and other microscopic algae in the process referred to as “coral bleaching” (Vallery 2015). These microscopic algae alongside the zooxanthellae are responsible for the production of oxygen, food, and the beautiful rainbow colors that have made human beings fall in love with the corals. Similarly, coral reefs usually play a significant part in terms of ensuring that the aquatic system stays healthy and therefore it is important that coral reefs be preserved.

Sadly, the article points out that the loss of coral reefs would lead to up to 25% of the loss of the total biodiversity of aquatic and marine life. Furthermore, this loss would lead to the extinction of various marine animals consequently affecting the global ecosystem. Quite surprisingly, however, the article points out that the loss of coral reefs can be avoided. The article illustrates that a scientific study found that 12 out of 21 coral reefs were able to recover as a result of the coral bleaching process.

In a nutshell, the article talks about the importance of coral reefs in the overall ecosystem, whilst airing the concern that it has continued to face depletion. Therefore, the article campaigns towards the reduction in the amount of loss of the coral reefs, to realize a healthy ecosystem. People are therefore faced with the responsibility to ensure that coral reefs are given the chance to survive. This can be achieved through the minimization of human actions such as overfishing, releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse emissions, and cleaning up the oceans among other ways. Therefore, even though the coral reefs are faced with a very high chance of destruction, human beings have a special chance of ensuring that these corals are saved.