I have always learnt how one ecosystem affects another. I want to share and take a closer look at how one marine ecosystem affects another and ultimately life in general. Most marine systems rely on another system for some vital function or protection that could in some cases determine whether it survives or not. An interesting example of this important interaction is the relationship between wetlands such as mangrove forests, mud flats, and sea grass beds and the estuarine system which includes coral reef ecosystems.
Wetlands especially mangroves protect coral reef ecosystems by filtering sediments and absorb massive amounts of nutrients and sediment from runoff caused by farming and construction of roads, buildings, ports, channels, and harbors. If these mangroves are destroyed nutrient-rich water causes fleshy algae and phytoplankton to thrive in coastal areas in suffocating amounts known as algal blooms. Since coral reefs are biological assemblages adapted to waters with low nutrient content, the addition of nutrients favors species that disrupt the balance of the reef communities. The loss of wetlands and importantly mangrove habitats are considered to be significant factors affecting water quality on inshore reefs.
Poor water quality has also been shown to encourage the spread of infectious disease among corals. Corals are very delicate and sensitive organisms and excess sediment and nutrients are just some problems that will have detrimental effects on the reefs.Reefs are very important as they are very diverse habitats for numerous marine life that ultimately provides food for humans. They help to break waves, and thus aids in beach formation (helping to foster tourism in areas that rely on beautiful beaches as part of their tourist attraction package). These are just a few of the functions of reefs. Here it is clear to see why to maintain coral reefs, wetlands have to be protected from development to continue to ensure these vital functions.
Wetlands especially mangroves protect coral reef ecosystems by filtering sediments and absorb massive amounts of nutrients and sediment from runoff caused by farming and construction of roads, buildings, ports, channels, and harbors. If these mangroves are destroyed nutrient-rich water causes fleshy algae and phytoplankton to thrive in coastal areas in suffocating amounts known as algal blooms. Since coral reefs are biological assemblages adapted to waters with low nutrient content, the addition of nutrients favors species that disrupt the balance of the reef communities. The loss of wetlands and importantly mangrove habitats are considered to be significant factors affecting water quality on inshore reefs.
Poor water quality has also been shown to encourage the spread of infectious disease among corals. Corals are very delicate and sensitive organisms and excess sediment and nutrients are just some problems that will have detrimental effects on the reefs.Reefs are very important as they are very diverse habitats for numerous marine life that ultimately provides food for humans. They help to break waves, and thus aids in beach formation (helping to foster tourism in areas that rely on beautiful beaches as part of their tourist attraction package). These are just a few of the functions of reefs. Here it is clear to see why to maintain coral reefs, wetlands have to be protected from development to continue to ensure these vital functions.
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