The crisis is hidden on sediment

In Wylie’s (2007) article entitled “Less beef could mean a healthier Reef”, the author illustrates that the soil erosion of grazing land dumps large amounts of sediment and nutrients into the ocean. They contain various chemical substances and nutrients that pollute the quality of water. First, sediments shrink the reproduction of corals. A number of coral reefs are influenced by the pollutant that diminishes their spawning capacity. The soil erosion, furthermore, provides nourishment to stimulate algae and decline the growth of underwater plants. Coral reefs, finally, are subject to the crown of thorns starfish, because sediments inject abundant nutrients into the marine ecology that stimulate starfish’s growth. “The plagues of starfish are a sign of the Reef being out of balance” (Wylie, 2007, para.6). In conclusion, suitable grazing management will play a significant role in protecting and balancing the barrier reefs.

In my opinion, the phenomenon of soil erosion is a serious warning that strikes between grazing land and coral reefs. According to some reports, those soils which are eroded from grazing land still contain a diversity of pesticides, encourage poisonous creatures to grow, and consist of plentiful acid ingredients. With these harmful factors, organizing grazing lands will be the best method to control the coral crisis.

The first effect to leap on the stage is the pesticide. Farming is the main culprit to use poisonous products. Farmers, for example, have employed a huge amount of toxic products to protect their agriculture from other insects. These agricultural chemicals have already accumulated into underground soil for a long period. When a flood flushes the soil into the water, these pollutants will bruise the living system of corals, prevent coral spawning, and deprive it of its capacity of regeneration.

Sediments, moreover, contain abundant nutrients to furnish jellyfish, which are the most poisonous creatures that feed on corals in marine ecology. Jellyfish is one of the true coral-killers. Agricultural activities become a good helper that gather and store rich nourishment below the soil of the ground. These substances can not only stimulate the growth of bacteria and algae, but also enrich the energy for reef-predators. With the growth of jellyfish, coral reefs will rapidly lose their life.

The rising level of ocean acidification, finally, will destroy underwater corals. With the development of farming, grazing lands are already saturated with injurious materials that carry high acidity. Those chemical substances will accompany floods that pour the acidic elements into the ocean. Following the escalating sediments, for instance, it will not only shrink the living space of marine capacity for corals, but also damage its reproductive system. highlighting the threat of ocean acidification, additionally, we see that it will kill the amount of marine plants that circle the quality of water for reefs.

In conclusion, if human beings want to shield the coral reefs, managing the grazing land will lay a foundation for them. It is difficult to draw a dividing line between soil and marine ecosystems. To preserve and cherish the grazing land is the key to keeping these natural resources. With the pesticide, jellyfish, and acidification, coral reefs will quickly be extinct in marine ecology.

Reference

Wylie, P. (2007, September 29). Less beef could mean a healthier Reef. Courier Mail (Australia). Retrieved June 2, 2008, from LexisNexis.