Human's influence on coral reefs

Research conducted by the Arizona State University in conjunction with the University of Leeds had recorded an alarming decline of fish biomass of 45% within the their surveying period. This is a significant concern as these fish play vital ecosystem services for tropical coral reefs which form a mutualistic relationship. 

Herbivorous fish are important in the maintenance of our coral reefs where for example the parrot-fish use their beak-like jaw to scrape clean the substratum of the corals providing new sites and exposing this coral substratum suitable for coral settlement and to recover from coral bleaching.

Grazers play a vital role in keeping the coral turf abundance in control which show little environmental importance and if provided with adequate levels of nutrients the turf coral will outcompete all other vegetation. An issue that had been identified in the west of Hawaii by the University of Leeds   had realized that nitrogen effluent originating from sewage had put a strain onto the coral and fish populations because of the excess nutrient levels in the water. This causes domination of turf coral eliminating large quantities of other coral species. Due to high abundances of these turf corals will increase fertility rates of large grazers and predators due to less strain put onto these populations, however, due to a lack of corals (shelter, nursery etc) as well to such a high predator causes smaller fish populations will plummet. These large grazers and apex predators have very few natural predators and are classified as a type 1 on the survivorship curve. This then will result in a reduction in energy transfer between the trophic levels because most of the energy is consumed by the fish and there is little natural death and organic material which will further reduce coral populations.

These coral reefs are so integral component of the oceans as they provide the aquatic systems with a diverse genetic library. Without the maintenance of these ecosystems it would be likely that generalist species would dominate causing a lower genetic diversity library which will make it more difficult for these species to adapt to environmental change. 

Coral reefs are also responsible in dispating 97% of the wind energy that would otherwise smash off the coastline. With the extreme climates predicted with climate change will cause significant damage to ecosystems in the coastline and only grasslands would likely survive. It is likely that countries like Ireland would suffer from the destruction of life and erosion of the coastlines.

Biodiversity needs changes to farming.

One third of our land mass is occupied through farming activities and are directly/ indirectly involved with the endangerment of 62% of threatened species through highly mechanized, external chemicals etc. 

It has been urged through research derived from research undertaken by the university of Gottingen suggests a transition from modern farming practicesvia the 2020 Global biodiversity Framework will significantly reduce environmental degradation meanwhile achieving sustainable food systems for our ever-growing population. 

Heavy fertilizer use has demonstrated to have negative implications on nutrient recycling processes due to a loss of mychorhizal associations between fungi and their host plant. Due to a high influx of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus the plant no longer sees a need to carry on the symbiotic relationship as it will lose more than it would gain in that current situation. Fertilizers will subsequently cause the soil to lose it's fertility over the long run and these associations are gone they will never return.

The mychorhizal fungi resides in the plant's root tissue. The plant provides the fungi with a constant supply of carbohydrates such as sucrose and glucose while in return the fungi will convert the abundant nitrogen into nitrate which is usable by plants. 

Agroecology is a scientific approach where research is performed prior to the management involving the holistic study of these agri-ecosystems that aims to improve the resillience and sustainability for food systems

This practice creates a positive interaction between the agricultural ecosystems and the elements whilst improving soil biodiversity which are vital for primary production and so will have positive effects along the top of the food chain and will improve crop yield.

Improved soil biodiversity has profoundly beneficial effects on the efficiency of farming, where for example improved soil biodiversity has been shown to improve plant's resilience to diseases, climate change, water and nutrient uptake.  

Dr Thomas Cherico Wanger from Westlake University China and University of Göttingen and first author discussed how "The importance of agroecology to change agriculture and protect biodiversity has been recognized by many top level organizations, in the scientific community, and by practitioners, which is also reflected in the number and affiliations of signatories of our Correspondence. Following our positive discussions with representatives of the COP15, I hope that this correspondence can help to stimulate discussions in the policy arena and make a real impact on agricultural production systems."

EurekAlert!. 2020. Changes In Farming Urgent To Rescue Biodiversity. [online] Available at: <https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/uog-cif072020.php> [Accessed 3 September 2020].

 Delvaux, F., 2018. [online] Trocaire.org. Available at: <https://www.trocaire.org/sites/default/files/resources/policy/principles_of_agroecology.pdf> [Accessed 3 September 2020].